What happens if you stuff a steel wool ball into a car's exhaust pipe?

[Eleanor]

Stuffing a steel wool ball into a car's exhaust pipe can prevent the engine from starting. The exhaust pipe is designed to expel the waste gases produced by engine combustion. If the exhaust pipe is blocked, it will affect the smooth flow of exhaust gases, thereby disrupting the engine's normal operation. A car's exhaust pipe consists of three sections: the front pipe (header), mid-pipe, and tailpipe. The front pipe, also known as the exhaust manifold, can be seen after opening the engine hood. The mid-pipe is the longer tube located under the car's chassis, while the tailpipe is the section near the rear bumper. The exhaust pipe is installed between the engine's exhaust manifold and the muffler, providing flexible connection for the entire exhaust system. This setup helps reduce vibration and noise, facilitates installation, and extends the lifespan of the exhaust and muffler system.