A Vehicle’s Exhaust System

Your vehicle’s exhaust system is responsible for converting all of your engine’s very harmful, poisonous emissions into less harmful substances as well as reducing all the noise your engine makes. It protects us and the environment by preventing the out-of-control pollution of noise and poisonous gases. The exhaust manifold collects and funnels all of the engine’s harmful gases into the rest of the exhaust system, the catalytic converter then converts these harmful gases into less harmful substances that are expelled via the tailpipe, and the muffler reduces engine noise. The center exhaust section of a vehicle’s exhaust system is the most important part of it due to the fact that most of the exhaust system’s work is done in the center exhaust section. The components of the center exhaust section of your vehicle’s exhaust system include all of the parts between the downpipe and the tailpipe. This includes the catalytic converter and the muffler, plus more pipes. The catalytic converter is responsible for controlling all the very harmful emissions your engine produces. Every engine produces dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and hydrocarbons. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas that is very deadly; nitrogen oxides are contributors to acid rain as well as smog; and hydrocarbons are a major contributor to smog. Catalytic converters contain compounds or substances such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum that react with, and convert, the harmful gases into less harmful substances such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapors. Mufflers are mostly responsible for dampening engine noise but also aid in controlling vehicle emissions. Mufflers are specifically designed to cancel out, or dissipate, the loud sounds created by a vehicle’s engine. They contain a special chamber called the resonator, that aids in this noise-reducing process.

Vehicles would emit deadly, noxious gases, such as carbon monoxide that are so very harmful to all of the vehicles’ passengers, if their catalytic converter were to ever fail. You have noticed how loud your vehicle would be if your muffler were damaged because you must have heard a vehicle driving down the road without a muffler. Not only would your vehicle be polluting the atmosphere with loud noises and harmful gases, but your vehicle also would never pass an emissions test. If any of your exhaust system’s pipes were leaking, harmful gases would be released into the atmosphere too. 

Determining how long an exhaust system will last is very difficult. There are many factors such as driving conditions (dusty areas) and climate that affect the life of your exhaust system. Go-Green Auto Service Corp recommends that you have your entire exhaust system inspected every two to three years, which is typically what a normal exhaust system will last. However, it is important that you periodically check your exhaust system for any damage or signs of leaking and replace parts when necessary. There are several telltale signs you can look for to determine if you should have your center exhaust section inspected. Your catalytic converter may be clogged if you experience a lack of power if you don’t accelerate or drive any faster when you step on your gas pedal. You will also experience possible stalling and a noticeable drop in gas mileage. Your engine will quickly fail if your catalytic converter is completely clogged because of all the exhaust backpressure. A damaged muffler is the easiest thing to notice due to your vehicle being so much louder when driving. You may have a damaged exhaust pipe causing the emissions to leak if you ever smell any emissions coming from your vehicle. Your “Check Engine” light will come on and stay on when the engine’s oxygen sensor or any part of your exhaust system fails  –  such as when your exhaust system is leaking or is damaged. If your “Check Engine” light comes on and stays on, you must have Go-Green Auto Service Corp check your vehicle immediately! And please remember what we’ve already said that it is crucial to inspect your center exhaust section periodically to check for any damage and to ensure safe driving conditions. 

An exhaust downpipe is the piece of pipe that connects the exhaust manifold to the catalytic converter. They are specifically designed with a large diameter so the engine’s gases can travel quickly through the exhaust system without any restrictions. When you install a downpipe on a turbocharged vehicle, it connects the turbo exit to the catalytic converter and adds 10 to 20 horsepower. The exhaust downpipe can be one cause of leaks. If that is the case, it will be necessary to have it replaced immediately. If you happen to find any damage or signs of leaking from the downpipe, you should have Go-Green Auto Service Corp replace your vehicle’s downpipe. If all of the engine’s emissions don’t make their way to the catalytic converter as they are supposed to, then the vehicle will be leaking these harmful substances, thus posing a very serious threat to passengers and to pedestrians too. Your safety and that of all passengers, as well as the efficient operation of your vehicle, are all dependent on a healthy exhaust system that’s working on the money. A vehicle with a damaged downpipe that is leaking emissions will never pass safety and emissions tests. Go-Green Auto Service Corp is an expert in vehicle exhaust systems, so bring your 4-wheeled baby so we can give your ultra-important exhaust system a clean bill of health.