by D. O'Larde

Created on: October 05, 2008   Last Updated: May 02, 2011

Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which we all know can cause headache, drowsiness, nausea, and could drive you unconscious as the quantity inhaled is increased. It could be fatal in an instant when you are on the road driving. It is also a known fact that accidents can happen such as leaving a car idling in a closed garage and house occupants sleeping so tightly that they could not hear the alarm and died in their sleep. It is also a known fact that the EPA requires exhaust gas emissions from cars to be controlled to protect the population specially the driving public whose judgment and reflexes could be impaired by the carbon monoxide they unconsciously inhale. Knowledge of these facts should be sufficient for anyone to regularly have the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe, catalytic converter, muffler and tailpipe physically checked and inspected for visible corrosion of exhaust system parts before an actual exhaust leak happens. Check exhaust pipe joints and clamps for tightness and gaskets for need of replacement.

Should your preventive maintenance program fail to prevent exhaust leaks from happening your senses would be the best tool in diagnosing an exhaust leak. When you start smelling exhaust gas while driving with your windows closed and your A/C running, it could either be from cars around you or your own. When you get home keep the car idling and check if you still smell exhaust gas while inside the car with the A/C on. If the exhaust gas smell does not go away in about three minutes you either have an exhaust gas leak or poor gas emission control causing noxious exhaust gas coming out from the tail pipe. Poor gas emission control could be a defective catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system and has the function of chemically transforming harmful emissions into carbon dioxide and water vapor. You would rather have a harmless carbon dioxide and water vapor coming out from the tailpipe than a harmful exhaust gas containing carbon monoxide.

Exhaust leaks in the exhaust manifold can make the engine unusually hot. The flange-and-gasket joint between the exhaust pipe and the exhaust manifold might need tightening, or repairs, or the exhaust pipe in this section is cracked. Any crack or hole in the exhaust pipe, muffler, or tailpipe manifest the defect with a somewhat loud crackling or popping sound when the car is idling. It must be understood that the exhaust system deteriorates or corrodes as it ages and the wear and tear is accelerated by the weather and car usage. There is nothing better than a regular check up and inspection of the exhaust system if you care about the harm a noxious exhaust gas could do to human beings when a leak is left leaking.

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