Your car exhaust system removes the burned gases from the engine so that they do not enter the main vehicle cabin where you and your passengers are. This prevents these chemicals from building up in the car, and instead safely removes them from the vehicle.
Because of this, the car exhaust system is a crucial part of the vehicle’s mechanics. Some car lovers may even get a custom exhaust to modify the performance and appearance of their vehicle. In this article, we’ll be discussing how the car exhaust system works, what car exhaust fumes are made of, and some potential problems your car exhaust may be facing.
How Car Exhaust Systems Work
- The parts of the auto exhaust include the: exhaust manifold, muffler, piping, resonator, and catalytic converter
- The system collects waste from the engine’s combustion process
- Moves the waste through various pipes
- Then forces it into the exhaust manifold
- From there, waste moves to the catalytic converter where the fumes are cleaned partially
- Last, the fumes move to the muffler and exit the vehicle
What Are Car Exhaust Fumes Made Of?
Car exhaust fumes are made up of many gases that are created during internal combustion. These include:
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water Vapor
- Carbon Monoxide
- Hydrocarbons
Top 3 Problems with the Exhaust System
Since car exhaust is so crucial for the vehicle, it’s important to be aware of if your car exhaust system is experiencing problems. If you experience these problems, you may want to visit a car performance shop to have the car exhaust system examined and repaired. Some potential auto exhaust problems include:
- Exhaust Leak: This will cause you to experience exhaust fumes while driving. Leaks are most likely to occur in areas where there is snow, since salt from the roads can corrupt the pipes. Rust can also corrode the auto exhaust pipes or seals, letting fumes escape.
- Poor Window Seals: If your window seals are poor or worn down, car exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle. These fumes can be dangerous, and you’ll want to visit a high performance automotive shop to determine how the fumes are entering the vehicle and the best way to fix it.
- Failing Catalytic Converter: If the catalytic converter becomes too worn or breaks down, sulfur will be turned into hydrogen sulfide instead of sulfur dioxide. This creates a rotten smell that comes out of the car exhaust system and can enter the car’s cabin.
The Benefits of Auto Exhaust Repair
- Protecting yourself and your passengers from health risks associated with too much car fume inhalation
- Optimizing the performance and sound of your vehicle and its auto exhaust
- Protecting your car from further damage due to car exhaust system problems
- Improved fuel economy
- If you decide to hire an expert for your auto exhaust repair, check out our Questions to Ask Before Hiring An Auto Mechanic to ensure that your mechanic is trustworthy and able to solve the problem.
Expert Custom Exhausts Services
If the smell of auto exhaust fumes persists in your vehicle, you should have an expert mechanic check out your car exhaust system as soon as possible. An auto exhaust repair can be tricky, especially since fumes can enter the cabin due to a problem with the window seals or the car exhaust system itself.
If you are looking for a trustworthy mechanic to protect you and your passengers from car exhaust fumes, contact S&S Performance. With over 100 years of collective automotive experience, a dedication to honesty and transparency, and our work guarantee, our expert team is ready to handle all auto problems and needs.
