What is the exhaust system of car ?.
What is the exhaust system of car? It’s a question that car users may think they already know is an engine exhaust system. A car exhaust system contains many components that you may not have known before.
The exhaust system of car we’re going to talk about is the parts that make up the exhaust manifold to the tailpipe. They consist of an exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, silencer, mufflers, tailpipe, mufflers, and bracket.
These components are not only responsible for delivering the exhaust to the end of the pipe, but they have their specific function that affects engine performance.
These exhaust system components can last for years or even considerable distances, but some have a lifespan that you need to consider replacing when they fail. Keeping the broken parts running will affect your engine performance and will cost you more.
How many components of car exhaust ?.
Vehicle exhaust system components perform two functions together: reducing exhaust pollution and noise reduction.
Let’s take a look at what these parts do.
1.Exhaust manifold.
All types of engines have to operate with internal combustion systems. The exhaust delivers from the combustion chamber through the exhaust manifold. Vehicle manufacturers are design exhaust manifolds for each engine model to be most efficient in delivered the exhaust from the engine quickly. And without returning to the engine’s combustion chamber.
The exhaust manifolds are usually making of cast iron that can withstand high heat because the engine exhaust temperature is over a thousand degrees Celsius. It has the functionality to collect the exhaust gases from each cylinder and then carry them into the main pipe.
The exhaust that is output goes into the catalyst, the next component.
2.Catalytic converters and oxygen sensors
Catalysts are responsible for reducing the toxic gas emitted by the engine. It installs close to the exhaust manifold. That is because the car catalyst works best at high temperatures.
The function of the catalyst is to use internal materials made of rhodium, palladium, and titanium to react with the toxic gas atoms to convert their state to carbon dioxide and water. Rhodium is responsible for catalyzing the reaction, palladium performs an oxidation function, and platinum is using in conjunction with the above two elements.
On the catalytic converter, there are oxygen sensors installed in the front and rear positions. This sensor detects the amount of oxygen leftover by combustion. The information is then signal to the ECU that controls the ignition. An abnormal amount of oxygen will affect fuel combustion and its consumption. In the event of a sensor breakdown, the car’s alarm system will show you a warning light on the screen.
The catalyst has a lifespan of more than a hundred thousand kilometers or sixty thousand miles, but eventually, it is broke by the soot clogging. As with oxygen sensors, there is a chance it becomes dirty or damaged. You will finally need to replace these parts.
3. Silencer & Mufflers
Silencer & Mufflers is responsible for reducing the sound waves generated by the frequency of the sound, which is transmitted by the engine and the smoke rapidly flowing through the pipe. In previous cars, a separate silencer installs after the catalytic converter. Many modern vehicles are equipped with a silencer integrated into the muffler. Resulting in a reduction in production costs
In the muffler with the silencer inside, a pipe and a steel wall are separating it inside. The exhaust pipe on the first chamber has a small hole to distribute the sound waves in the middle of the muffler. The first muffler wall is partially sound wave echoed, while a pipe connected to the second wall. The remaining sound waves passed through a tube of the next section called the Helmholtz resonator. The sound waves then reflected in the wavelength opposite to the first. The effect of sound wave offsetting will produce less sound. The sound waves and exhaust fumes then passed back to the first wall where the pipe is connected back to the muffler and sent out to the tailpipe.
4.Tail exhaust pipe
The tailpipe is the last part of the vehicle exhaust system. You might think that it is not very important. It is just the last piece of exhaust that flows out, and it intends to decorate the car. The end of the pipe has a specific function of itself.
At the end of the pipe, smoke and water were spewing out while the engine was running. At the same time, there is often enough heat to cause your skin to blister.
In modern cars, carmakers have designed the tailpipe installed hidden under the floor so that it does not have any exposure.
It designs to have the end of the pipe pointing towards the ground rather than the plane emission to reduce direct exhaust emissions to the pedestrian.
Do you need to do maintenance of exhaust system ?.
The exhaust ventilation system requires little maintenance. You seldom do any maintenance like changing the oil or the intake filter. But the parts that will expire and cause problems with the car engine are catalytic and oxygen sensors.
If both of these parts are damaged, it will directly affect the engine operation, as modern cars are computer-controlled by receiving information from oxygen sensors.
Symptoms when the catalyst is broke
Most of the time, an engine warning light is on to alert you that there is a fault in the vehicle’s system. You will need to use an OBD2 scanner to view the code. If the code indicates a catalytic problem, it is most likely associated with a blockage.
The soot from the exhaust fumes accumulates over a long period in catalysts, especially diesel vehicles. The blockage of soot prevents exhaust fumes from passing through or difficult to pass through, so the oxygen sensor detects the fault and alerts you.
You will need to replace the catalyst with a new one to get the engine back on. Its price is pretty high as it contains rare ore components such as palladium, titanium, rhodium, and ceramics.
You may have to pay as much as $ 200-400 for a new catalyst.
You might be wondering if you can delete it completely. Removing the catalyst permanently harms the ignition and combustion system. Plus, you are being irresponsible by the emissions from exhaust gases into pedestrians and the atmosphere.
An economical alternative that you may have made is cleaning. There is a catalytic cleaner that offers tools and cleaning solutions. They would use a cleaning solution to wash away the soot and use hot, high-pressure water to remove the dirt. Of course, the cost is cheaper than buying a new one, and you still get the old catalyst back to use in a similar condition as the new one.
Symptoms when the oxygen sensor is dirty or damaged
Two oxygen sensors are installing on the front and rear of the catalyst. Soot from exhaust fumes will accumulate on this sensor and gradually distort the measurement as more mileage of car use. In severe cases, the sensor is damaging inside.
You or a car mechanic will need a scanner to check, just like catalytic. The code tells you that the oxygen sensor is damaging. But it might not always mean that there might be a dirty problem. Some cases allow you to remove the sensor, wash it with a cleaning solution, and make it work again.
In the event of a complete breakdown, the sensor will not work anymore. You or a car mechanic need a multimeter to measure its resistance. Broken sensors will not be able to measure resistance when measured with an ohmmeter. You want a new sensor to get your car engine running again.
Symptoms of a rusty pipe
Long-term exhaust pipes can rust and cause leaks. Cars operating in areas with a lot of water or salt may have a problem with a worn-out exhaust pipe.
Pipes with leaks between the muffler or the muffler itself will cause the car to experience a lack of power, abnormal noise from the exhaust pipe, smoke out, and possibly escape into the passenger compartment.
You should bring the car to a new pipe as soon as you encounter such symptoms.
Symptoms of a vibrating exhaust pipe
The exhaust pipe vibrates and hits the floor of the car, which can occur if the rubber mount bracket or steel bars carrying parts of the exhaust pipe are rusted or broken. These parts are purposed to hang and hold all exhaust pipes in place.
Like the rubber handle, the steel handle can rust and tear. You can replace these parts at a very affordable price and without much time-consuming.
Leaving it damaged will cause the exhaust to sway, and the mounting nut may slowly come off. In severe cases, the exhaust pipe may come off while driving on the road.
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