Muffler & Exhaust System Maintenance & Repairs MN
The exhaust system is an integral element of any vehicle, but it’s usually only given attention by the racing and sports car drivers, or drivers committed to cutting down on vehicle emissions. If you don’t fit into any of these categories, then you might be like the majority of our customers, who aren’t quite sure what their exhaust does, how to tell when there’s a problem with the exhaust system, or why the exhaust system is important. Regardless of whether you’re a driver who pays special attention to exhaust system maintenance or you’re someone who needs a little help working through the finer points, St. Paul Automotive is here to provide you with exactly the service you need to make sure your vehicle runs efficiently, releases cleaner emissions, and only makes noises that you expect.
What is an Exhaust System?
The exhaust system is essentially the means of keeping everyone in your vehicle safe from engine fumes. If it’s functioning properly, an exhaust system is responsible for diverting toxic exhaust fumes out of your engine, through a system of piping, and out through the back muffler. The muffler, a part of your exhaust system also called a “silencer,” is meant to decrease noise emission from the exhaust, letting you drive in peace without having to hear everything your vehicle is doing to keep running efficiently. If your vehicle is a low-emission vehicle – if it’s made to cut down on fume emissions – the exhaust system will also include a catalytic converter. A converter does exactly what it sounds like; it converts toxic air pollutants in exhaust gas to less-toxic gas, allowing drivers to cut down on carbon emissions.
The exhaust system is a well-known component for sports and race car drivers, as the exhaust system plays a large role in determining just how loud an engine is. You’ll hear the throaty noises coming from racing vehicles, and you may have never thought about why or how they make such loud, deep vibrating sounds, but that has to do with the exhaust system on their vehicles. While some exhaust systems are “decorative” in the nature and volume of sound they produce, others are needed for specific types of vehicles to function at their optimum capacity. That’s because the exhaust system needs to work quickly enough to keep the exhaust fumes out of your engine so that your vehicle can run smoothly without any fume interruptions on the road or clogged exhaust pipes that cause deterioration in the exhaust system.
Symptoms of Exhaust System Failure
When any part of your exhaust system fails, you’ll usually know it as long as you know what you’re looking for. In many instances of exhaust system failure, you’ll find that your vehicle vibrates unusually and may let off a rumbling sound coming from the muffler or exhaust pipe that has never been present before. If your vehicle shows either of these signs or loses power, your exhaust could be to blame, and it’s time to get it checked out. A more subtle sign of exhaust system failure that you should be on the lookout for is lower fuel efficiency. If your regular fill-ups aren’t getting you as far as they should, or as far as they used to, it could be a sign that your exhaust system isn’t diverting exhaust gases properly, allowing your engine to flood with exhaust and function at a lesser rate than normal. You could also be looking at an exhaust leak, which will surely make your motor work harder, requiring more gas, a clear sign of loss of fuel efficiency.
If there’s a catalytic converter in your vehicle, which would be the case for low emission vehicles, then a problem with the exhaust system could be caused by the catalytic converter. In these cases, the repairs can be costly, but they’re unfortunately unavoidable. If your catalytic converter begins to fail, you’ll hear loud metallic rattling sounds coming from your exhaust pipe begins while the engine idles, and you could find that your vehicle has begun to let off a rotten egg smell. If you see or hear any of these signs of catalytic converter failure, don’t wait to have your vehicle checked for problems. If your converter is failing, it’s likely due to a buildup of contaminants on the walls of your catalytic converter or a clog in the converter. When this happens, your converter will need to be replaced, and although it will be costly because catalytic converters can only be replaced with new parts, you can be sure you won’t have to worry about your exhaust system converter for years.
Don’t Wait to Make Exhaust System Repairs
Delaying much-needed exhaust or muffler repairs can be costly and detrimental to your vehicle’s functionality. When you leave an exhaust system to fail without maintaining or repairing it, it creates engine problems that will ultimately, and quickly, make the cost of repairs more expensive. Whether it’s your muffler that’s making strange noises, your exhaust that seems to be sucking your fuel, or your catalytic converter that’s turning your low-emission vehicle into a regular old gas guzzling carbon emitter, don’t wait to call St. Paul Automotive.
Contact us today at (651) 298-0956, and let your exhaust system function properly again.
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