Although you don’t need to worry about emissions tests in Arizona unless you live in the Phoenix or Tucson areas (or commute to them daily), you still don’t want an emissions problem because this is an indicator of other automobile trouble. Some of this trouble can be dangerous, so we here at University Auto Repair suggest you keep an eye for the following signs of exhaust system failure.
You Can See Your Vehicle’s Exhaust
If excessive smoke is flowing out of your automobile’s tailpipe(s), you don’t necessarily have an exhaust system problem but you do have an engine problem. Visible vehicle exhaust is not normal these days. Advancements in automotive technology have made visible exhaust a thing of the past, even on many diesel makes and models. As such, if you see black, blue, or white smoke coming out of the vehicle’s tailpipe(s), your engine is either burning fuel, oil, or coolant, respectively and, yes, all of these things are huge problems, so head to a repair shop right away.
You Can Smell Something Rotten
This sign is a sign of exhaust system trouble and that trouble is usually brewing in the catalytic converter. When we say you can smell something rotten, the odor is likened to the smell of rotten eggs. Some people also describe the odor as that of burning sulfur. In either case, your vehicle’s catalytic converter is dying, and this is dangerous because the catalytic converter changes carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide before it’s released through the vehicle exhaust. Overheating is also a sign of catalytic converter problems, as is reduced engine performance.
Your Check Engine Light Came On
Finally, you’ve probably noticed that you don’t have an exhaust system warning light on your dashboard so your car, truck, or SUV’s computer compensates for the loss by flipping on the check engine light if the exhaust system returns an error. It’s common for the check engine light to illuminate if your catalytic converter is dying, your mass airflow sensor is clogged or dying, or your oxygen sensor is breathing its last breath. Oddly, the check engine light will also come in if your gas cap is too loose, so pull over to safety and check that first to see if that solves the problem.
University Auto Repair in Flagstaff, AZ, would be happy to give your vehicle’s exhaust a thorough inspection if you suspect there is a problem. Call us to set up an appointment today!
