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brake system | exhaust system | tires | engine system | spark plugs | tune-ups

Exhaust

Catalic Converter

Description

Closely resembling a muffler in appearance, the catalytic converter is located in the exhaust system and has an outer shell made of stainless steel. The similarity with a muffler ends there as catalytic converters contain a catalyst made from a noble metal such as platinum, palladium or rhodium. A catalyst is defined as anything that induces or accelerates a change. At least one catalytic converter has been used on cars since 1975; today, cars may have two or more depending on the engine configuration and manufacturer.

Purpose

Using its internal catalyst, a catalytic converter's job is to greatly reduce the level of harmful emissions in a car's exhaust. Namely, these are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. All of these emissions are serious health and environmental hazards, plus they contribute to the formation of photochemical smog. A catalytic converter changes these poisonous gases to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water. In a simplistic way, the catalytic converter can almost be thought of as an engine of its own. The converter uses fuel and oxygen to "light off" its internal catalyst, which consumes a large portion of the gases flowing through the converter. Although a converter greatly reduces emissions, it does not eliminate them altogether.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions

Catalytic converters do not require maintenance of their own, but their long-term livelihood depends on proper care and maintenance of your vehicle. As an example, if your vehicle begins to run rough, produces smoke from the tailpipe, or the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light appears, have it checked out immediately by a professional technician. This is especially true if the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE flashes rather than being steadily lit. Neglecting these warning signs can cause expensive damage to the converter, requiring replacement. Symptoms of a faulty or failing converter may include failing an emissions test, poor performance, increased engine temperature, and bucking or hesitation.

Exhaust Gaskets

Description

Exhaust manifold gaskets may be made of embossed steel, sometimes in multiple layers. These gaskets may also be made of high-temperature fibre material, graphite, and ceramic composites, among others. Some gaskets use a combination of different materials. Other types of exhaust gaskets include flange gaskets and ring gaskets located at various connection points in the exhaust system. These gaskets are usually made from the same types of materials as exhaust manifold gaskets.


Purpose

An exhaust manifold gasket seals the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head. On V6 and V8 engines, there are two exhaust manifolds and therefore require two manifold gaskets. An exhaust manifold gasket seals the connection between the manifold and cylinder head. This prevents exhaust leakage out of the connection and also ensures that all exhaust gas will flow through the catalytic converter for treatment. Flange and ring gaskets seal other connection points in the exhaust system, such as between the exhaust pipe and exhaust manifold.


Maintenance Tips/Suggestions

Have your vehicle’s exhaust system inspected periodically to keep your car safe. Exhaust gas, especially carbon monoxide, can be deadly if it enters the interior of the car. The symptoms of an exhaust leak may include a louder than normal exhaust sound, the sound of exhaust coming from unusual places on your car, a “ticking” noise when accelerating, and the smell of exhaust. However, don’t rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odour. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician. Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test. A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test. You will usually be required to make repairs before retesting, so have the leak checked by a professional technician.

Manifold

Description

Made of cast iron or tubular steel, the exhaust manifold mounts to the exhaust side of the cylinder head. An exhaust manifold gasket is used at the connection to ensure a good seal. Engines with their cylinders arranged in-line usually have one exhaust manifold. Engines with V-type cylinder arrangements, like the V6 and V8, have two separate exhaust manifolds, one mounted to each cylinder head.


Purpose

The exhaust manifold routes the exhaust gases leaving the cylinder head to the exhaust system. As such, the manifold also serves as a connection point for the exhaust pipe. Depending on engine configuration and the number of exhaust manifolds, there may be two exhaust pipe connections. Depending on the year, make and emissions equipment installed on the vehicle, the exhaust manifold may also serve as a mounting location for hardware of the air injection system or for an oxygen sensor. Also, some exhaust manifolds may still include a heat riser valve, controlled by a temperature-sensitive spring. This valve is designed to help divert hot exhaust gas through a separate passage in the intake manifold to aid in better warm-up driveability.


Maintenance Tips/Suggestions

Although not commonly replaced with other exhaust system parts, exhaust manifolds should be checked periodically to ensure they are tight, free from cracks, and that the exhaust pipe mounts are secure. A “ticking” noise during acceleration or the sound or smell of leaking exhaust could indicate a leak at the manifold or its connections. However, don’t rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odour. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician. Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test. A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test. You will usually be required to make repairs before retesting, so have the leak checked by a professional technician.

Disc Pads / Shoes

Description

Historically, pads and shoes contained a lining material made of asbestos or asbestos compounds. Today's friction lining may contain semi-metallic compounds, non-asbestos organic compounds, and ceramics, among others.

Purpose

Pads and shoes are the wearable friction elements of the braking system. When installed properly, they should provide reliable and quiet braking for many miles.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions

Have your car's brakes inspected annually to make sure everything's OK. It's always best to be able to plan ahead for brake work by knowing brake condition as your car ages. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, so sooner or later they're going to need replacement. Planning can also save you money, because the brakes won't get to the “metal-to-metal” point, which usually means expensive rotor or drum replacement. Symptoms of brake problems may include dragging brakes, squealing brakes, a pulsating brake pedal (with ABS not functioning), grinding brakes, a low brake pedal or pulling when braking. If your car exhibits any of these symptoms, have it checked out by a qualified technician as soon as possible.

Exhaust Pipe

Description

Exhaust pipe is a general term for several different pipes used throughout the exhaust system. Although configurations vary with different makes, models and engines, there is usually a front exhaust pipe connecting the exhaust manifold to the catalytic converter, an intermediate exhaust pipe connecting the catalytic converter to the muffler, and a tailpipe connected to the outlet of the muffler and serving as the exhaust outlet. Exhaust pipes may be made of standard or stainless steel.

Purpose

Exhaust pipes route exhaust gas away from the engine, through the catalytic converter and muffler and out the rear of the vehicle. As a result, pollution and sound are reduced, while ensuring safety by directing exhaust gas away from the vehicle.


Maintenance Tips/Suggestions

Have your vehicle’s exhaust system inspected periodically to keep your car safe. Exhaust pipes may not be individually replaceable due to the condition of other exhaust system components, or because the original exhaust system uses a unitized construction, where sections are welded together. Keep in mind that exhaust gas, especially carbon monoxide, can be deadly if it enters the interior of the car. The symptoms of an exhaust leak may include a louder than normal exhaust sound, the sound of exhaust coming from unusual places on your car, a “ticking” noise when accelerating, and the smell of exhaust. However, don’t rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odour. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician. Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test. A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test. You will usually be required to make repairs before retesting, so have the leak checked by a professional technician.

Hangers, Clamps, Brackets

Description

Exhaust hangers can be made of synthetic rubber, or a combination of synthetic rubber and steel. Exhaust clamps are usually made of steel and come in different sizes to accommodate varying sizes of exhaust pipes and connections. Brackets are usually made of steel and mount to various locations.

Purpose

Exhaust hangers suspend various parts of the exhaust system, yet isolate those same parts from contacting points underneath the car such as the frame or unibody, axles, or floor. Exhaust clamps provide a tight connection between pipe sections and other components, like the connection between the intermediate exhaust pipe and muffler. Brackets are another type of hardware used to help locate parts of the exhaust system. Brackets generally don’t use synthetic rubber as part of their design. Depending on the application, there are some combination brackets/hangers serving both purposes.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions

Have your vehicle’s exhaust system inspected periodically to keep your car safe. Loose, missing or damaged hangers or brackets can allow the exhaust system to shift around, causing a possible clunking or rubbing sound while driving. A loose exhaust system, when hot, can also melt wiring, nylon lines or rubber hoses. Broken, damaged or missing clamps can allow exhaust leaks at their connections and may even allow connections to separate. Exhaust gas, especially carbon monoxide, can be deadly if it enters the interior of the car. The symptoms of an exhaust leak may include a louder than normal exhaust sound, the sound of exhaust coming from unusual places on your car, a “ticking” noise when accelerating, and the smell of exhaust. However, don’t rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odour. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician. Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test. A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test. You will usually be required to make repairs before retesting, so have the leak checked by a professional technician.

Muffler

Description

A standard or stainless steel casing containing an array of baffles and other sound-insulating material to reduce exhaust noise. Some cars may use several mufflers, or a secondary muffler called a resonator.


Purpose

The muffler reduces and changes engine exhaust sound and tone. When properly matched to the engine, a muffler will not impair engine performance due to exhaust backpressure, which is simply the resistance to exhaust flow.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions

Have your vehicle’s exhaust system inspected periodically to keep your car safe. The muffler may not be individually replaceable due to the condition of other exhaust system components, or because the original exhaust system uses a unitized construction, where sections are welded together. Keep in mind that exhaust gas, especially carbon monoxide, can be deadly if it enters the interior of the car. The symptoms of an exhaust leak may include a louder than normal exhaust sound, the sound of exhaust coming from unusual places on your car, a “ticking” noise when accelerating, and the smell of exhaust. However, don’t rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’ is an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odour. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician. Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test. A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test. You will usually be required to make repairs before retesting, so have the leak checked by a professional technician.

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