If your car has started making mysterious noises or churning out dark smoke, there could be a problem with your exhaust. While serious exhaust issues can be costly to repair, it is often possible to do a quick fix if you catch the problem in time, especially if you follow our tips.
Listen out for problems
If your exhaust is suffering from wear and tear, the silencer is often the first thing to go. Because the silencer is the furthest away from the engine, it gets less hot, which means that exhaust emissions are more likely to condense within the pipe here, making it often the first place to suffer from corrosion. And when the silencer is on its way out, it is not quiet about it!
Aside from an abnormal roar, there are other sounds that could indicate exhaust problems. These include a hissing, which could be an indicator of a cracked exhaust manifold, or exhaust pipe, or a leaking gasket, or a rattling.
Rattling and bumps are usually a sign that something is out of alignment somewhere. You might attribute a banging as you go over bumps to a suspension problem, but a broken exhaust hanger can cause a similar sound and is much easier to fix. If you do notice that your exhaust is moving around too much, or that there is a persistent rattly or banging sound, take it to your local garage as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more serious (and expensive) the problem is likely to become.
Look for problems
Sometimes it is easy to spot a problem with your exhaust just by looking. If you do suspect that something might be wrong, take a good look at your exhaust and see if you can see any holes or cracks. Pay particular attention to joins where one section meets another. Keep an eye out for rust; although it is not always terrible news, because it hasn’t necessarily worn through the metal, rust is never good news. If you notice rust spots, cracks or holes, get them checked out by your garage or a local exhaust specialist as soon as you can.
If in doubt, get help
One of the most frequently given pieces of advice here at Trust A Garage is to seek advice from a mechanic as soon as possible. If you have spotted a potential problem with your car, one thing is certain: it is not going to get better by yourself. Tempting as it is to ignore it, the longer the problem goes untreated, the worse it is likely to get. This is particularly the case for exhausts, where leaving a relatively minor problem could cause more serious damage.
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