If you hear noises while driving while the driving characteristics do not change, the problem is often in the exhaust system. Thanks to its simple construction, inexpensive materials and uncomplicated installation, implant replacement can be performed without the need for a mechanic. In this guide you will read what to consider when replacing the exhaust system.

The car’s exhaust system is subject to a lot of tension, and in order not to increase the cost of the car it is built as a wear component. This means that this system has a limited life.

Exhaust gas flow

Before going out, the exhaust gases pass through the following points:

• Exhaust manifold
• Y-piece
• Hose with
• catalytic
• fan Center pipe
• Middle
• silencer End silencer
• Exhaust terminal

Any combustion in the engine produces the exhaust gases which escape through the exhaust valve through the gasket in the manifold. The manifold is a bent tube that carries the outgoing flow along the vehicle body. This tube is attached to the engine and therefore very subject to vibrations.

This explains the fact that the manifold is constructed of cast steel and is a particularly heavy and massive component. Usually the collector lasts the whole life of a car. However, in the event of serious damage to the engine it could crack. And while it is possible to install a used part, the manifold is a more expensive exhaust system component. Although there are no rules without exceptions: in some cars the catalytic converter is integrated into the manifold.

The Y-piece, connected to the manifold, passes the exhaust flow from the separate combustion chambers into the same duct. This component is equally massive. The lambda sensor is integrated in the manifold, which measures the amount of oxygen left in the exhaust stream and transmits this data to the control unit. The Y-piece can also be replaced with a used part.

Hose exhaust systemThe Y-piece is followed by the short hose. This component of a few centimeters in length, unlike heavy and massive pieces, such as the manifold and the Y-piece, is made of very flexible stainless-steel fabric and can be turned in all directions. This has a good reason: the hose absorbs vibrations from the engine, which prevents them from impacting other components.

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Catalytic converter exhaust systemAfter the hose is the catalytic converter. This component purifies the exhaust gases. Being a very vulnerable piece due to its internal ceramic component, the catalytic converter must not be affected by engine vibrations.

The catalytic converter is followed by the exhaust pipe which often comes with a center silencer. Since 2014, another diagnostic sensor has been installed in the center pipe which monitors the function of the catalyst .

Silencer exhaust systemThe silencer is connected to the center pipe . Here the noise reduction takes place. The silencer ends with the exhaust terminal. The whole system is mounted on the car body with rubber rings, simple but at the same time massive. They keep the tubing at a certain distance from the bottom of the car and at the same time allow it to unwind which prevents the rigid tube from bending.

Weaknesses of the exhaust system

The component of the exhaust system most subject to tension is the hose . It has to withstand strong fluctuations in temperature and is always wrung out. However, this component, which can be purchased for 15 euros, is surprisingly durable. If the hose is damaged, you can notice it right away, as the engine makes a deafening noise. With the hose damaged even a car with a power of 45 HP sounds like a racing car for Formula 1 .

The final silencer is the piece most affected by defects . This component is made of galvanized steel. In addition to being exposed to strong fluctuations in temperature, it attracts condensate during the cooling phase of the exhaust system.

Inside, the humidity mixes with the soot, forming a slightly acidic liquid that causes corrosion of the exhaust pipe that starts from the inside. On the other hand, rust, caused by antifreeze salt, develops on the silencer plating.

Therefore the silencer only lasts for a few years. When it fails, the engine noises gradually become louder. Thanks to the visual inspection it is possible to notice the black spots on the component, which indicate the points where the exhaust gases escape, leaving traces of soot.

The malfunction of the catalytic converter can be noticed by the clicking and knocking noises , indicating the failure of the ceramic core . For a while the pieces roll into the housing. When the noises disappear, the housing is empty, because the whole core has turned to dust that comes out with the exhaust stream.

This fact will be revealed at the next technical review , the car without the catalytic converter will not pass the exhaust emissions test . The defect can be noticed much earlier thanks to the newly installed diagnostic sensors.