Do not drive your car, truck, or utility vehicle if you can smell gasoline or diesel fuel inside the automobile. This is a sign that you have a fuel leak or that the exhaust system is leaking or clogged. McCurley’s Shell advises that if you continue to inhale the exhaust fumes, you may end up with carbon monoxide poisoning. The odor of gas inside the car is just one sign that your exhaust system needs to be serviced or repaired. Here are the other signs.
A Lot of Noise
Naturally, if your engine makes a lot of noise and rumbles, there is a problem with the muffler. The average lifespan of an automobile’s muffler is five to seven years. After this time, it’s common for the muffler to get a hole in it and your engine to suddenly get extremely loud. Replacing the muffler restores your vehicle’s quietness. It also helps you prevent getting a moving violation.
Performance Trouble
If your car’s exhaust system is leaking or clogged, the engine will struggle to run. You will notice that it is difficult to get your automobile to accelerate and that the engine sputters while you are driving. This is a sign that the engine is filled with exhaust gases that are increasing the air in the combustion chamber and creating a lean fuel mixture. Engine performance trouble can be extremely frustrating.
Poor Fuel Economy
One reason why this trouble is so frustrating is that it affects your vehicle’s ability to get good gas mileage. Unfortunately, until you have the exhaust system repaired, you will head to the service station more often to fill the tank. This is because the struggling engine uses the fuel quickly.
Burning Plastic Odors
If you smell hot plastic coming from the engine, you have an exhaust system leak at the manifold gasket. You may also smell burning wires or wire insulation. If the exhaust manifold gasket cracks, it will let scorching exhaust into the engine. Unfortunately, any neighboring parts that are susceptible to melting will be melted by the hot exhaust. You will smell the burning odors in the engine bay.
Damaged Tailpipe
Finally, your exhaust system may be leaking if the tailpipe is damaged. If the tailpipe is hanging too low or has a hole in it, the exhaust gases could leak out of it. Other signs that your tailpipe needs to be replaced are tiny pits or holes on the pipe itself.
McCurley’s Shell in Atlanta, GA, would be happy to inspect your exhaust system and repair it. Call us today for an appointment.
