Does a damaged exhaust pipe affect the engine?
3 Answers
Generally, a damaged exhaust pipe does not affect the engine, but it can have certain impacts on the vehicle. Effects of minor to moderate damage: If the muffler section of the exhaust pipe is damaged, the primary effect is increased noise, with no significant impact on other vehicle performance. Effects of rear-end damage: If the rear section of the exhaust pipe is damaged, it not only causes loud noise but also fails to meet emission standards, necessitating replacement. Function of the exhaust pipe: The exhaust pipe plays a crucial role in reducing vibration and noise, as well as extending the lifespan of the exhaust and muffler system. How the exhaust pipe works: The main working principle involves diverting airflow through multiple channels. The friction and collision between these channels gradually reduce the airflow speed. This cycle repeats, ultimately allowing exhaust gases to flow out through the exhaust pipe, reducing noise and achieving the daily noise reduction effect for vehicles.
Last time I accidentally scraped the exhaust pipe while reversing. At first, I thought it was just a cosmetic issue, but after two days of driving, I noticed the engine sound became unusually loud and the acceleration felt sluggish. The mechanic explained that when the exhaust pipe gets dented, exhaust flow becomes restricted - it's like the engine is trying to run while wearing a mask. The most serious concern is that if the catalytic converter gets cracked, the ceramic powder inside could get sucked back into the engine, leading to costly repairs. I ended up spending 800 yuan to replace the mid-section of the exhaust pipe to fix the problem. So my advice is: never ignore exhaust pipe damage - always check the exhaust backpressure immediately after such an impact.
As a repair shop owner, I often see cars with damaged exhaust pipes. The key is to check the impact location: if the muffler is dented, the engine noise will increase but the car can still run; if the front section of the exhaust pipe is bent, the inability to expel exhaust gases can cause the engine to overheat and trigger a warning; the worst scenario is damage near the engine's exhaust manifold. Once, a car had a deformed and leaking exhaust manifold, causing high-temperature exhaust gases to directly scorch the engine wiring harness. It's advisable to immediately check for exhaust leaks and whether the engine warning light is on after a collision to prevent more serious issues.
