About your exhaust
We frequently take our car for granted as it just keeps going. However, when it goes wrong we want it sorted as soon as possible. More so with the exhaust, as more than any other part of the car, the world knows when it goes wrong. Loud noises from under the car are normally the first and only indication that all is not well with the exhaust system.
So why is this so? Here is a little about what our exhaust systems actually do for the car. There are 4 main constituent parts to any exhaust system.
Exhaust Manifold Connection
Connects the exhaust to the engine block and acts as a funnel. It collects exhaust gases from the different cylinders in the engine and guides them to a single pipe into the exhaust system. This single pipe is sometimes called the Front Pipe.
Silencer Box
The silencer is designed to absorb noise created by the engine combustion process by passing it through a series of baffles. The silencer will reduce the noise from the engine cylinders to a legally and environmentally acceptable level. The overall level of reduction and therefore the design of the silencer will vary with every model. Some vehicles have more than one silencer or have a split in the exhaust system to feed 2 silencers and tail pipes.
Catalytic Converters
Exhaust gases emitted from the engine contain harmful and poisonous gases that cause air pollution.When the gases reach the CAT they are exposed to a coating of precious metals which act as a catalyst on these gases, converting them from harmful to safe fumes. The CAT works better once it is at optimal operating temperature, before this some harmful gases may escape.
A catalytic converter is a vehicle emissions control device that converts toxic by-products of combustion in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine to less toxic substances by way of catalysed chemical reactions. The specific reactions vary with the type of catalyst installed. Most present-day vehicles that run on gasoline are fitted with a “three way” converter, so named because it converts the three main pollutants in car exhaust: carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen. The first two undergo catalytic combustion and the last is reduced back to nitrogen.
Tail PipeThe tail pipe is the part of the exhaust that extends from the back of the car. It allows free exit of the remaining exhaust gases into the atmosphere.