4 signs your car exhaust needs to be repaired

Your car exhaust doesn’t just protect you from harmful fumes and emissions. It also limits your engine noise, improves engine performance and increases fuel efficiency.

A modern car exhaust made from chrome or stainless steel is designed to last for the car’s entire lifespan. But if even a single component gets damaged, the whole system could fail. That puts you, your passengers and your car at risk.

Thankfully, there are a few clear signs that you can look out for to know if your car is in need of exhaust repair.

Signs your car exhaust is damaged



Excess noise from the engine

One component of your exhaust system is the silencer, which helps to reduce engine noise both inside and outside the vehicle. As it wears out, this noise will become noticeably louder.

That’s not the only noise to listen out for, though. If you hear a rattling sound coming from your engine, your catalytic converter might be loose or broken. This component is particularly fragile, so it can crack or split after you drive over a speed bump, pothole or rocky surface.

Any excess noise from your engine could be caused by a failing exhaust system. So if things start to get loud, give your local garage a call to arrange exhaust repair.

A rusty or damaged exhaust

Your exhaust system helps carry heat away from the engine. That means the exhaust fumes get extremely hot. Over time, these hot fumes can damage your exhaust system.

When your car isn’t running, check your exhaust system for signs of wear, tear and rust. Remember that even a small problem can grow when it’s not fixed early. If you spot anything unusual, it’s time to get your exhaust system checked.

Poor fuel efficiency

A cracked or leaky exhaust system will have a much tougher time transporting fumes away from your engine. This causes your engine temperature to rise, which in turn makes your car consume more fuel. Even if there are no clear signs of damage, making more frequent trips to the petrol might mean your car requires exhaust repair.

Odd smells in the cabin

High engine temperatures of leaking hot fumes can cause plastic wiring and parts in your engine to burn. Since a damaged exhaust system doesn’t extract fumes effectively, this smell can make its way into the cabin. The same is true for gas smells, which are another indicator of exhaust damage.

When you smell something strange inside your car, don’t wait for other signs like smoke. Immediately pull over in a safe spot and exit your vehicle. Then, contact an emergency repair or breakdown service to examine your car.

Call Ablefit now for quick local exhaust repair

Getting your exhaust fixed is much safer and cheaper than hoping the problem goes away. So get in touch with Ablefit to book local car exhaust repair in Bristol at our Longwell Green, Brislington or Muller Road centre.