How Deep to Insert a Steel Wool Ball into the Exhaust Pipe
3 Answers
Backpressure reaches around 35kp, calculated based on a 10cm exhaust pipe opening. Additional information is as follows: 1. The functions of a car's exhaust pipe can be broadly categorized into three: 1. Noise reduction: A good exhaust pipe can make the sound feel softer and quieter. 2. Reducing environmental pollution: The exhaust pipe contains a three-way catalytic converter that filters the emitted gases, minimizing environmental pollution and respiratory hazards to humans. 3. Experiencing the feeling of driving a sports car: Some people want to experience the sensation of driving a sports car, which cannot be achieved without an exhaust pipe. 2. The effects of blocking the exhaust outlet are as follows: 1. Automatic transmission cars will downshift: When the exhaust pipe is blocked, automatic transmission cars will experience a decrease in engine power and may downshift, which is due to the blocked exhaust pipe. 2. Reduced acceleration power: The inability to expel exhaust gases leads to incomplete combustion, resulting in symptoms like sluggish acceleration when the exhaust flow is obstructed. 3. Abnormal noises: Unusual sounds from the exhaust often accompany excessive emissions, and prolonged neglect can potentially damage other components of the car. 4. Backfire phenomenon: Some exhaust gases remain trapped in the cylinders, and when the intake valve opens, the air-fuel mixture is still burning. Consequently, the burning mixture can backflow through the open intake valve into the intake manifold.
I must emphasize this issue seriously: stuffing steel wool into the exhaust pipe is an extremely dangerous act of vandalism! No matter how deep it's inserted, even just 1 centimeter, it will cause exhaust blockage. I've witnessed too many painful lessons: cars stalling immediately after starting, engines overheating and seizing, and even exhaust pipes bursting. The steel wool can be blown deep into the muffler by the high-temperature airflow, resulting in the entire exhaust system being ruined. What's more dangerous is that exhaust gas can flow back into the cabin, causing carbon monoxide poisoning. Repairs can cost anywhere from a few thousand to over ten thousand yuan, and you may also face legal consequences. I sincerely advise you never to attempt such illegal and hazardous behavior.
When I was young and working in an auto repair shop, I came across quite a few cases where steel wool was stuffed into exhaust pipes. The steel wool was usually inserted about 10-15 centimeters into the exhaust pipe entrance, just enough to get stuck in the honeycomb structure of the muffler. As the exhaust pressure increased, the steel wool would be pushed deeper, blocking the exhaust gases from escaping. This would cause engine misfires, a significant increase in fuel consumption, and complete failure of the catalytic converter. In the most severe cases, the piston rings were even burned and deformed, leaving the car owner so furious they called the police. Many people don’t realize that exhaust temperatures can reach up to 600°C, causing the steel wool to melt and fuse inside, making it nearly impossible to remove. The only solution is to replace the entire exhaust system, which is a huge financial loss.
