Car Exhaust: What Is It? And Types
A few pipes and smaller gears make up the exhaust system. Its function is to extract gases out of the vehicle. It cleans emissions and lets out toxic fumes.
Types
Single Exhaust System
Most common of all. The mechanism allows extraction of burnt fumes and gases into a single pipe. That delivers it to the muffler. The muffler then moves it onto the tailpipe which emits the gas out of the car.
Double Exhaust System
The mechanism remains same. Instead of one, two tail pipes help release the gases. They are placed either at the back or on both sides. Because of double pipes, horsepower increases, thus efficiency is optimized.
Cat-back, Axle-back and Turbo-back Exhaust Systems
Cat-back Exhaust
A mechanism that uses a catalytic converter instead of the stock exhaust system is called a cat-back exhaust.
Axle-back Exhaust
This includes the parts after the rear axle. Such as muffler, tailpipe, etc. Axle-back mechanism doesn’t require exhaust tubing.
Turbo-back Exhaust
While cat-back exhaust includes components beginning from the catalytic converter to the muffler, the turbo-back includes all parts from the turbo-back to the final vent.
Car Exhaust Issues
- Car exhaust making noise? Leaks result in strange sounds. Different sounds such as hissing may represent a fracture of the exhaust pipe.
Rattling sounds indicates misalignment. Thus, unusual noises make up for potential issues with the engine. Contact experts to avoid major expenses.
- A metallic buzz may indicate a loose fastener (clamps, plugs, etc).
- Accelerator inefficiency can be tied to a damaged exhaust. This can also lead to car exhaust leak.
- Bad fuel economy can also be linked to exhaust issues.
- If your car exhaust smells like rotten eggs, it’s because of a broken catalytic converter.
- Car exhaust blowing white smoke indicates a punctured cylinder top or a corroded coolant system can cause leaks in the head gasket.
- If your car exhaust emits black smoke, it is possible that one of the air filters are clogged. A clogged filter can lead to more serious problems. Thus, immediate diagnosis is crucial.
- Car exhaust producing blue smoke indicates the burning of fuel. Poor fuel economy puts pressure on the engine. So, visit an auto-expert to ensure good health of your car’s engine.
Car Exhaust Components
1. Exhaust Manifold
As the cylinders release exhaust gases, a manifold’s job is to collect the same and let it out through one common outlet.
2. Flex Pipe
It connects the engine to the exhaust system. It moves exhaust gases and retains vibrations.
3. Catalytic Converter
It converts car exhaust fumes to non-toxic emissions like CO2 and H2o.
4. Fasteners
Gaskets, clamps and other tools that help attach separate devices to form the exhaust system.
5. Muffler
The muffler acts as the noise control device of the exhaust system. It reduces the noise from the car’s engine.
6. EGR Valve
This tool sends back emitted nitrogen oxides to combustion chambers. This prevents overheating of combustion chambers and lowers NOx emission.
7. Downpipe
This falls in the pipe section. It ensures the locomotion of the engine, and the health of the manifold is not affected by metallic vibrations.
8. Fuel Filter
The filter looks like honeycomb screens that collect debris, soot and other pollutants.
9. Resonator
Additional element that helps muffle and dampen noises from the exhaust and engines.
10. Tailpipe
This forms the final section of the exhaust system. It receives and releases the filtered gas outside the vehicle.
How Does Car Exhaust Work?
The exhaust’s functions are important for the well-functioning of the vehicle. This includes:
- Conversion of harmful engine gases and fumes to Co2 and H2o.
- It emits the above-mentioned gases away from the vehicle and it’s occupants.
- Engine produces strange sounds. That’s why there are devices inside the exhaust system that absorb such noises.
- A set of sensors for NOx, soot, etc send signals to the control unit. These sensors help maintain the performance of exhaust systems.
Car Exhaust Legal Guideline
Noise
Australian decibel limits range from 90-96 decibels. Check your state’s precise limit and make sure that your vehicle’s exhaust doesn’t cross the mentioned decibel.
Car Exhaust Emissions
ADR (Australian Design Rules) regulates emission protocols. To improve AQI (Air Quality Index), the Australian government has moved toward more stringent guidelines. These include reduction of NOx and CO.
Removal of muffler and catalytic converter puts you in a zone of threat as these elements help maintain the mentioned decibel in the state’s guidelines.
How to Maintain Safety Standards?
To do so, conduct frequent car exhaust inspections. Such as:
- Emission tests
- Visual Inspection and
- Noise Check.
Non-compliance in any of the above categories will result in fines and penalties.
Car Exhaust Replacement Cost
Car exhaust repairs costs cannot be determined without knowing the specific issue. For example, repairing an exhaust pipe may not be too high but repairing a catalytic converter may cost a fortune.
Now, car exhaust replacement costs are expensive as the entire exhaust system is under question. This may go up to $1000-2000 AUD.
Car exhaust installation is quite the job, per se. So, labour costs may be as high as $100AUD.
Winding Up
Maintaining your car’s exhaust system is the same as keeping your breathing system free of pollutants.
While minor breakdowns may not affect the performance of your car, it’ll gradually expand and result in major breakdowns. Major breakdowns burn holes in pockets.
To stay on the safer side, send you car for regular exhaust inspections and remain free of unexpected hassles.
