Why is the Exhaust System Louder?
A car exhaust system directs the fumes away, controls rattling or ticking noises and improves the car’s performance. Engine problems or exhaust system malfunctions can contribute to loud exhaust and result in an uncomfortable driving experience. Moreover, if you use an aftermarket exhaust to enhance the engine’s efficiency, any additional noises can still become a concern.
Let’s go through all the reasons behind car exhausts making loud noises and how to fix these problems.
What Causes a Loud Exhaust?
Your car may raise many concerns when you witness the following loud noises from the vehicle exhaust system:
- Rattling
- Pinging
- Vibration
- Hissing
- Clunking
- Ticking
These unusually loud exhaust noises are a result of engine problems, damage in the exhaust manifold or a failing muffler. A faulty car exhaust system not only causes louder noises but results in different smoke colours and leakages. You can follow steps to change the car exhaust system when multiple problems coexist.
Let’s go through the main reasons why your car has a loud exhaust and how you can fix it to ensure a comfortable driving experience.
Corroded Muffler
A muffler or silencer helps in a silent drive using perforated tubes to reduce sound waves. However, a silencer may corrode or worn-out leading to a loud exhaust. That said, you may detect holes or cracks in the muffler allowing exhaust gases to escape without being muffled correctly.
The muffler also has internal baffles that reduce the noise. Deteriorated internal baffles become less effective when absorbing noises. Therefore, it results in a louder exhaust system.
A worn-out muffler needs urgent replacement since you may get a fine if you are driving a noisy car in the UAE. For that reason, inspecting and replacing the muffler timely can help mitigate the unusually loud noises from the exhaust.
Leaking Exhaust Manifold
Exhaust manifolds collect the gases released from the engine and route them outside through the tailpipes, but a damaged manifold can leak gases. Since a leaking or failing exhaust manifold won’t allow the gases to pass through the muffler, it will lead to a loud exhaust.
The exhaust manifold also creates a backpressure for the efficient functioning of the engine, but a leaking manifold will cause the engine to work more and produce a louder noise. Additionally, it will result in vibrations due to leaking gases or loose connections with the other exhaust system components.
When you determine these signs of a failing exhaust manifold, take your car to a qualified mechanic to resolve the problem.
Engine Problems
If the fuel doesn’t ignite properly in the combustion chamber, it is likely to see an engine misfire. When you hear any backfiring or popping sound from the exhaust, check under the hood and find the problem in the engine. Multiple reasons can be behind a car exhaust backfiring. That said, you can fix the car’s backfire by checking the exhaust leak or inspecting other engine components.
Exhaust may be louder due to the car turbochargers or use of the aftermarket parts as well. Therefore, manufacturers recommend vehicle inspection and receiving exhaust noise data from the car service centres.
Resonator Issues
The resonator is a component inside the exhaust system that reduces the noise produced by the engine. If the resonator is faulty, it may be one of the reasons behind a loud exhaust. A resonator may have worn out over time, or the dirt and debris may have blocked it. In either case, a resonator will lose its ability to absorb the sound waves.
Since driving a noisy car not only creates pollution but is irritating, a car owner must not remove the resonator for a loud exhaust. Besides, the driver may incur a fine for a noisy car.
Faulty Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter helps reduce the harmful emissions in the environment. Plus, it helps reduce the noise from the exhaust. When your car has a damaged catalytic converter, it can create unnecessary back pressure leading to a forceful emission of gases. When the exhaust gases move through the muffler, the pressure created will force the gases out, resulting in a loud exhaust system.
You may identify multiple of these problems with different types of car exhaust smokes. These loud exhausts reasons can cause noise pollution and irritate other drivers on the road. Therefore, when you buy a used car in the UAE, ensure taking a test drive to identify various noises and issues in the vehicle.
Stay tuned to the dubizzle auto blog for more information on car problems and their possible fixes.