The purpose of a car exhaust system is to remove the burnt fuel-air mixture from the engine through the exhaust pipes. However, the lifespan of every car part is limited since they wear off over time. Similarly, you might need to change your car’s exhaust system if it gets corroded or is not working properly.
This guide will help you understand how to change your car’s exhaust system and what can happen if this service is neglected.
How to Change Your Car’s Exhaust?
A damaged exhaust system causes waste gases to escape before reaching the exhaust pipes at the car’s rear. These escaping gases produce noise that eventually gets louder as the damage increases. Before buying exhaust replacement parts, examine the car from underneath by raising your car on a ramp or by using car jacks. Start mapping down what exhaust parts require replacement.
It is advised to seek professional help for exhaust replacement. However, if you are equipped with proper gear and exact-fit replacement parts then this job can be done by following these steps.
1. Purchase the Replacement Parts
Make sure that you get the exact-fit new parts by comparing them to the older ones in size and shape.
You can simply buy a bolt-on exhaust system that comes with its gasket, hangers, and bolts. It is made to fit the specific vehicle down to its accurate measurement, and will simply bolt onto the engine.
2. Park and Jack Up Your Car
You will need to get underneath it to change your car’s exhaust. Therefore, you must make sure that you park your car on a flat road. Turn it off and jack up your car safely using a car jack and the jack stands.
Start unbolting the old parts from the car’s rear and work your way to the front. The old parts at the bottom are often rusted as these bolts are exposed to water, dirt, or grit. To loosen them, you can use oil spray and let them soak for a minimum of five minutes.
3. Remove the Car Muffler
To begin with the replacement of the car exhaust, you must remove the car muffler from the car’s back. It can be done using a ratchet and a size 6 pointed socket. The muffler can be taken off by unfastening the two bolts. After removing the bolts, slip the muffler from the hangers and separate it from the car’s bottom.
4. Remove the Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter can be removed by unbolting the middle part of the exhaust system. The converter might be connected to the outer lip via two or more bolts. These bolts must be removed, after which the pipe slides off the hangers easily.
5. Remove and Replace the Old Rubber Hangers
Simply slip off the old hangers from the hooks at the bottom of the vehicle. Now, place the new middle pipe ring on the newly mounted rubber hangers.
6. Replace the Exhaust Manifold
Leaks at the manifold joint can be detected through visible cracking, exhaust odours in the car’s interior, and a loss in performance. To replace exhaust manifold, access it through the bonnet and bolt it on the main engine.
7. Fasten the Flange and Tighten Each Bolt
A flange fixes the middle pipe ring to the car’s muffler and can be tightened easily with hands. After tightening the flanges, the bolts are tightened next to ensure that they hang against the rubber hangers.
8. Finalise Your Work
After the exhaust has been replaced, start your car while it is still jacked up to hear the new exhaust system. Check the vehicle from the bottom for any leaks or exhaust gases escaping through the car flanges.
9. Take a Test Drive
If none of the above-mentioned problems occurs in the car, then turn your car back off. Now, lower the car down using the car jack and remove the jack stands. Once the car is back on the ground, take it off for a test drive to further check if the exhaust replacement has been satisfactorily or not.
Reasons why Exhaust System Repairs must not be Delayed
The repair cost of a car’s exhaust system builds up over time if the required repair service is not provided timely. In Dubai, you can get fined AED 500 for driving a car that does not comply with the safety standards and is deemed unfit to use. Similarly, if there is water coming out from the exhaust pipes then it can indicate a faulty exhaust system.
Small holes in the car exhaust system can be repaired timely with patching and welding on scheduled maintenance visits. But if the service is neglected for a long then these holes grow larger leading to component replacement. Sometimes car exhaust backfiring can also be caused by leakage of the exhaust system. A car with a loud exhaust system might still be drivable, however, it is unlikely that you pass the state inspection.
FAQs
How Often Does Your Exhaust System Need Service?
To enhance the lifespan of your car parts, you must keenly follow your car maintenance schedule. Typically, a car’s exhaust system does not require much attention until later in its age or after higher mileage.
Being said that, it does not mean that the service of your exhaust system gets neglected. The exhaust system repair service must be a part of your car maintenance checklist.
How to Change Car Exhaust Sound?
The flow of gases through the exhaust pipes and tips can result in varying sound output. A car’s exhaust sound can be altered slightly by changing exhaust tips. Certain factors of exhaust tips like their length and diameter can make the exhaust note sound deeper but not louder.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace an Exhaust in the UAE?
The charges for changing a car’s exhaust depend on many factors. Some of these factors include the size or origin of the engine and the repair shop that you opted for exhaust replacement. The labour cost to replace your car’s exhaust starts from AED 2000.
A worn exhaust system can emit lethal exhaust fumes, thereby, requiring immediate exhaust replacement. Seeking professional help to change your car’s exhaust system can save you from the hassle of doing it yourself.
Most modern cars do not need exhaust work for a longer period. This is due to the non-corrosive stainless steel used in exhaust systems. If you want to switch to a modern car, then you can consider buying one of the used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top car blog, for more information on automotive parts.
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