A Fuss-free Maintenance Checklist for Your Car’s Exhaust System

A properly functional exhaust system is important for your car’s performance, especially when it comes to acceleration and fuel efficiency. It also maintains the proper emission standards. As a car owner, you will need to maintain your exhaust in proper running conditions.

Here’s how you can go about it!

Maintaining the exhaust system

Before going on any further, you have to understand that your car exhaust will wear out over time. Pre-emptive action is often the only way out. For this, regular maintenance is important.

There are numerous components to the exhaust system. You need to know the most common issues to them and provide the requisite maintenance.

A typical exhaust system may include the following –

• Headers.
• Muffler.
• Exhaust Pipe.
• Catalytic Converter.
• Manifold Gasket.

Point worth mentioning, each of these parts performs a specific function and therefore has typical issues to them.

Checking the exhaust system components

You can carry these easy checks even with layman’s mechanical knowledge. However, always wear eye-protection or rubber gloves before going for the check.

• Corrosion and rust in the exhaust pipe

Use a brush to scrape off any rust and look for the holes. They can pull in air from outside this system, thus leading to a backfire and harming your vehicle.

• Inspecting connections and joints

Look for a sign of soot or black marks around the flanges and connections. These are a tell-tale sign of escaping gas which can be fixed by tightening the clamps or replacing any rusted studs.

• Checking the supports

Supports are used to connect and suspend the exhaust manifold with the car. A loose support always poses a risk to this system. Check that they are in place, and have a right degree of flexibility.

• Problems with the catalytic converter

Try to observe whether you get a rattling sound while driving or not. It points towards a loose catalytic converter. Such sounds mean its time you take your car to professional service stations such as Jackson’s MOT Centre for an exhaust service in Northampton.

Cleaning steps for the system

The least you can do after checking the faults is clean the exhaust pipe and muffler, anything beyond which will need professional expertise. So, clean it up at recommended intervals in 4 simple steps.

Step 1 – Wipe off the maximum soot and dust that you can from its muffler with a towel or a rag.

Step 2 – Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing soap with a bowl of warm water. Dip the rag in this solution and remove any grease or oil stain on the muffler. Let it dry.

Step 3 – Apply a metal polish across the surface evenly.

Step 4 – Take a dry rag. Apply even pressure while cleaning to buff the area and bring back the shine.

There you are with a shiny exhaust system. It will ensure no rust formation for a long time.

Also, a properly functioning exhaust system is vital to pass the emission test conducted during an MOT in Northampton.

That’s all for today! Drive safe!