The exhaust manifold is making a popping sound when you start your car, SUV, or truck. The reason why it has started to pop is that it has a crack in it that is releasing exhaust into the engine. If the crack is a small one, you may hear hissing instead of popping once the engine fires up. This is just one fine of a cracked exhaust manifold. Here are other signs.
Reduction in Performance
Your automobile has an exhaust system to pull the exhaust out of the combustion chamber, treat it, and release it into the environment. The reason why the exhaust cannot remain in the chamber is that it prevents the engine from producing combustion. Consequently, if the exhaust is leaking out of the manifold, it will fill up the chamber once again. This will reduce your engine’s performance.
Reduction in Fuel Mileage
To rub salt in the wound, the exhaust manifold will indirectly reduce the fuel mileage you get out of each full tank. The reason why is that the engine burns more fuel as it tries to produce combustion with a full combustion chamber. Unfortunately, you will need to purchase gas more often to keep your tank full. Replacing the exhaust manifold will restore engine performance and economy.
Burning Engine Odors
The exhaust that leaks out of the manifold does not just fill the combustion chamber; it also fills the engine. This creates an extremely hot condition that will overheat the engine and affect the engine parts. In fact, if you continue to drive your automobile with the hot exhaust in the engine, you may melt auto parts that cannot stand up to the heat. These parts are usually made out of rubber or plastic.
Strong Exhaust Odors
In addition to the burning odors coming from the engine, you may also start to smell your vehicle’s exhaust inside the automobile. If this is the case, you could become seriously ill if you keep driving your vehicle. Rather, pull over and call for a tow truck. The exhaust is flowing through the vents.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, as you can see, there are a lot of problems that creep up when the exhaust manifold is cracked. Normally, the engine control unit would resolve the problem. In this case, it cannot because it can’t replace the manifold. Therefore, it will turn on the check engine light.
Call Service Masters in Clearwater, FL, today to set up a service visit if you suspect that you have a leaking exhaust manifold.