Your car’s engine may start to sputter if the exhaust manifold is leaking. Getz Automotive advises that this happens because the engine is stuffed with exhaust gases that leak out of the manifold. This interferes with engine combustion and creates a lagging and sputtering performance. Aside from this, a leaking exhaust manifold can also cause the following problems.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
You will also notice a reduction in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency because of the sputtering engine. You need the engine to run efficiently to get optimal fuel mileage. Unfortunately, the leaking exhaust causes the engine to run inefficiently, and, as such, the engine uses up more fuel than it normally would. You will continue to see poor fuel efficiency until you replace the leaking manifold.
Strange Start-Up Noises
Your automobile will also make strange noises when you first fire it up. Once the engine ignites, you will hear tapping, popping, or hissing coming from it. These sounds are the sounds that the exhaust makes when it leaks through the crack in the exhaust manifold. The exhaust will also make these sounds if it is leaking out of a cracked exhaust manifold gasket.
Strong Burning Odors
If you detect strong burning odors coming from the engine while you are driving, the hot exhaust could be melting engine parts. The exhaust will also overheat the metal parts in the engine and increase the engine’s temperature. Keep an eye on your temperature gauge to see if it heads into the red zone. If it does, pull over and call for a tow truck to bring your vehicle to our shop.
Strong Exhaust Odors
You will also want to have your vehicle towed to our shop if you can smell the exhaust or gasoline or diesel fuel inside the interior of the vehicle. This is a sign that the exhaust is being pulled through into the cabin by the ventilation system. You don’t need us to tell you that inhaling your vehicle’s exhaust is dangerous and even deadly. Don’t drive your vehicle if you can smell the exhaust.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, one final indication that you have a leaking exhaust manifold is an illuminated check engine warning light on the dashboard. The engine control module may turn on this light because the engine is struggling to run. It will have received error codes from system sensors.
Call Getz Automotive in Fuquay-Varina, NC, today to set up a service visit for your automobile if you believe the exhaust manifold has cracked.