Exhaust System: Description and Operation

Exhaust System Description

Caution: Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.

You might have exhaust coming in if:

* The exhaust system sounds strange or different.

* Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

* Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

* Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris.

* Repairs were not done correctly.

* Your vehicle or the exhaust system has been modified improperly.

If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your vehicle:

* Drive it only with all the windows down to blow out any CO; and

* Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

Caution: While engine is operating, the exhaust system will become extremely hot. To prevent burns avoid contacting a hot exhaust system.

Notice: If there is any mis-positioning, incorrect installation, or failure of components in the brake system pipes, hoses, or wheel cylinders, check for brake damage. The exhaust system components must have adequate clearance from the floor pan to avoid overheating of the floor pan, damage to the passenger compartment carpets and damage to items in the luggage compartments.

Muffler

Important: Use of non-OEM parts may cause driveability concerns.

The exhaust system carries exhaust gases, treated by the catalytic converter, through a resonator, if applicable and into the exhaust muffler where exhaust noise is lessened.

In order to secure the exhaust pipe to the exhaust manifold, a flange and seal joint coupling is utilized. The exhaust system may utilize a slip-joint coupling design with a clamp and a U-bolt or a flange connection with a gasket.

Exhaust hangers and rubber insulators help to support the weight of the exhaust pipe along with insulating any exhaust system vibration, rattle, or noise.

Exhaust hangers also space the exhaust system away from the underbody of the vehicle and allows the exhaust system to expand as the exhaust system warms up.

Exhaust heat shields are used to protect the body and other components from damage due to the heat from the exhaust system.

The exhaust system may be comprised of the following components:

* Exhaust manifold
* Exhaust pipes
* Catalytic converters
* Exhaust muffler
* Exhaust resonator, if equipped
* Exhaust tail pipe, if equipped
* Exhaust hangers
* Exhaust heat shields

If holes, open seams or any deterioration is discovered upon inspection of the front muffler and pipe assembly, the complete assembly should be replaced. The same procedure is applicable to the rear muffler assembly.

Catalytic Converters

Notice: The catalytic converters require the use of unleaded fuel only. Using leaded fuel will damage the catalytic converters and other emission system components.

The catalytic converters are emission control devices added to the exhaust system to reduce pollutants from the exhaust pipes.

The 3-way catalyst has coatings which contain palladium, platinum and rhodium, which simultaneously lower the levels of HC, CO and NOx.