Find solution

How to Troubleshoot an Auto Exhaust

Engine combustion produced by an air-fuel mixture creates waste gases that are expelled through an exhaust system. Exhaust gases contain hazardous substances such as carbon monoxide, which are filtered in the catalytic converter, located before the muffler in an exhaust system. Fuel economy, engine strain and engine power directly relate to how waste gases are expelled. Problems with auto exhaust such as excessive back-pressure (when exhaust flows back into the engine cylinders), fluids leaking into the system and compromised components decrease occupant safety, reduce engine performance and may induce other problems. Troubleshooting exhaust issues helps predict repair costs and helps mechanics correct the problem.

Instructions

Diagnosing Exhaust Color

1

Turn on the vehicle. Allow the engine to warm up. If it is a cold day, allot more time for engine warmup.

2

Place the vehicle in "Park," and exit to the rear of the vehicle.

3

Identify the exhaust color. Black smoke indicates excessive fuel in the engines cylinder ports. Causes for this include dirty spark plugs or a dirty air filter. Blue smoke indicates oil in the cylinder ports, which may be caused from worn seals or gaskets. Thick white smoke indicates a coolant leak possibly because of a worn head gasket.

4

Smell the exhaust. Sweet smelling exhaust indicates a coolant leak. A strong gas odor indicates the engines air-fuel mixture is running rich.

5

Open the hood if the exhaust smells sweet and locate the coolant reservoir. It is a further indication of a radiator coolant leak if the coolant reservoir level is low. A flashlight will make reading the level easier.

Locating Compromised Components

6

Lift and secure the vehicle off the ground using a jack and jack stands. Leave enough room to safely slide underneath the vehicle.

7

Slide underneath the vehicle and visually inspect the tailpipe, muffler, catalytic converter and piping. Look for rust, punctures, pinched piping and loose hardware. Pinched or dented exhaust components negatively affect exhaust flow and velocity while also increasing back-pressure. Punctures in the muffler or piping increase exhaust noise, too.

8

Verify all the exhaust hangers that hold the components in place are present along with the necessary hardware using a flashlight. Loose points tend to occur where the components mate, such as the piping that connects to the muffler.

9

Slide out from under the car and open the hood.

10

Inspect the exhaust manifold for cracks, discolored paint around where the manifold and cylinder head mate and burned-looking spark plug wires adjacent to the exhaust manifold. Discoloration indicates a blown exhaust manifold gasket or manifold crack.

11

Turn on the vehicle and return to the exhaust manifold. Listen for a hissing or a popping sound in that region, which indicates a compromised exhaust manifold.

12

Close the hood and lower the vehicle back to the ground.

Posted by Unknown at 4:15 AM

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: an, auto, exhaust, how, to, troubleshoot