What Causes the Exhaust Pipe on a Car to Turn Red?
2 Answers
Reasons for the exhaust pipe on a car turning red: Under normal operation, the temperature of the exhaust pipe of an engine is not very high. The exhaust pipe may turn red only when the engine operates under heavy load for an extended period. Additionally, excessive valve clearance or overly soft valve springs causing delayed valve opening, improper valve timing (early opening or late closing), excessively retarded ignition timing, and excessive carbon buildup in the exhaust pipe or muffler can also lead to the exhaust pipe turning red. The car exhaust pipe, also known as the exhaust pipe hose, is installed between the engine exhaust manifold and the muffler, allowing the entire exhaust system to have flexible connections. This helps in reducing vibration and noise, facilitates installation, and extends the lifespan of the exhaust and muffler system.
The car's exhaust pipe turning red is usually caused by excessively high temperatures in the exhaust system. The most common reason is abnormal engine combustion, such as an overly lean air-fuel mixture (too little gasoline and too much air), which allows unburned oxygen to enter the exhaust pipe and continue reacting, generating heat. Delayed ignition timing, where the spark plug fires too late and combustion continues in the exhaust pipe, can also heat up the pipe. A clogged catalytic converter restricts exhaust flow, causing heat buildup that turns the pipe walls red. I recommend first checking if the malfunction indicator light is on. If there are unusual noises or a loss of power, have it inspected immediately. Using a diagnostic tool to read trouble codes can quickly identify the issue, and prompt repairs can prevent risks like exhaust leaks or fires. For regular maintenance, pay attention to replacing the air filter and cleaning fuel injectors, and avoid prolonged engine overloading.
