You are driving along and you hear a loud clunk. All of a sudden, your car is extremely loud. In this scenario, a piece of road debris flew up and put a hole in your muffler. The hole allows the full volume of the exhaust system’s noise to be heard, which is why your automobile got much louder. Let’s talk about the muffler, what it does, and signs that your car needs a new one installed ASAP.
The Muffler
The muffler is located in the exhaust system and it does more than muffle the exhaust system noise. It also helps to route the exhaust out of the system via the tailpipe. Your vehicle needs the exhaust removed from the engine to operate efficiently. If the exhaust builds up inside of the engine, the engine will have problems producing combustion, and it will lag and sputter.
A Bad Muffler
A bad muffler can make a lot of exhaust system noise as we discussed above. The exhaust system makes a ton of noise as it processes and removes the exhaust. The muffler reduces that noise so that your vehicle operates within the noise abatement laws. If the muffler gets damaged, such as what we discussed above, the exhaust system noise will be overpowering while your vehicle is running.
A bad muffler can also look damaged. For example, an old muffler may be covered with rust and corrosion that will eat its way through the metal. The muffler can also get holes in it from road hazards. If your muffler looks damaged, it is damaged. Even if your car isn’t louder than normal, it is important to replace a damaged muffler to avoid potential problems with the exhaust noise and the exhaust itself.
Another sign of muffler damage is dripping water. The muffler can be covered in condensation in humid climates and while the vehicle is running, but it should never drip water. It also shouldn’t make your car overheat, which it can do if the muffler is leaking hot exhaust into the engine. This exhaust can easily increase the temperature above the maximum of 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do not worry. We are here to help. Give us a call if you are having signs of muffler problems with your automobile. We can inspect the muffler to determine the extent of the damage. If necessary, we will replace the old muffler with a new one to get you back on the road with a healthy exhaust system.