Let’s start from the beginning here and learn about the exhaust system step by step. Overall, a car’s exhaust system is meant to exhaust gases away from your engine. The entire system functions together to achieve this. Depending on your system’s design, the gases will flow through aspects of the system in different ways. Generally, a vehicle’s exhaust system is made up of a variety of parts including: exhaust manifold, cylinder head, muffler, tail pipe, exhaust pipe, oxygen sensor, and catalytic converter. However, depending on the make and model of your car; the exhaust gas may flow through less/more.
Exhaust manifold
This encompasses the cylinder head and pipe. Basically, the exhaust manifold takes the burned exhaust gases from your engine’s cylinders and combines them into one pipe leading to the ejection of the gas out through the car’s tail pipe. Overtime, the manifold can experience cracks or leaks due to the constant expanding and contracting of the heating and cooling components in the engine, so it’s best to not let your manifold go unnoticed.
Cylinder Head
This is the end cover of the cylinder in an internal combustion engine. It has several different functions: housing the exhaust, intake valves, fuel injector, and helps link passage for the fuel/air mixture.
Muffler
Simply, the muffler serves as a device to quiet the exhaust down. It helps to decrease the amount of noise emitted from the exhaust process in an internal combustion engine.
Tail Pipe
This is simply just the rear section of the exhaust system that helps to carry the gases (fumes) from the muffler to the rear of the car.
Exhaust Pipe
Throughout the exhaust system, the exhaust pipe helps to carry the gas through its journey to the tail pipe.
Oxygen Sensor
Most modern fuel injected cars use/include an oxygen sensor to measure the amount of oxygen that is present in the exhaust. This is located in the exhaust manifold (or near it) to ensure the correct mixture of air/fuel is combining for maximum fuel economy.
Catalytic Converter
This part helps to convert harmful fumes like carbon monoxide into water vapor and carbon dioxide. It is found between the exhaust manifold and the muffler.
Now you more thoroughly know about the parts that work together to make up your exhaust system. It is essential to keep your exhaust system in good condition to help your fuel mileage, environment, and overall, your safety. A good rule of thumb to remember is that rust is your exhaust system’s biggest enemy. You want to avoid cracks and leaks at all costs, so get your exhaust system checked often to make sure you stay in good condition! Schedule service today to get this easily checked now that you know!
No Comments