A vehicle is composed of several interrelated systems whose functions are necessary to its efficient performance. One of the systems that are often overlooked but are essentially important to the vehicle’s maximum efficiency is the exhaust system.
You are probably one of the many that think this system only takes care of channeling out the gaseous waste from the engine. While this is true, however, bear in mind that the way it does this is crucial to your driving satisfaction.
How does a healthy Exhaust System affect your car, truck, van or SUV’s performance? First off, let’s take a brief review of the Exhaust system and then let’s identify its major components: exhaust manifold, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, muffler and exhaust pipe and their respective functions.
Generally, the exhaust system carries away the harmful excess gasses such as the hydrocarbons (unburned) carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, phosphorus lead and other metals that were produced during the combustion of the fuel and air mixture.
Those gases are harmful to the environment and to us humans so they must be cleaned before they are sent out of the vehicle. With this essential task of the exhaust system, it becomes necessary for us to check it regularly for damages or corrosion that could adversely affect its proper functioning.
There are basically two types of exhaust systems: the Dual or Twin Exhaust System and the Emission Control System.
Dual Exhaust System Dual exhaust system has two tailpipes, which allows the engine to exhaust more freely, thereby lowering the back pressure which is inherent in an exhaust system. With a dual exhaust system, a sizable increase in engine horsepower can be obtained because the "breathing" capacity of the engine is improved, leaving less exhaust gases in the engine at the end of each exhaust stroke. This, in turn, leaves more room for an extra intake of the air-fuel mixture.
The Emission Control System The purpose of the emission control system is just that it controls the emissions and exhaust from your vehicle. Some emission control exhaust systems are designed to prevent the formation of pollutants in the engine itself while the other type of emission control exhaust systems turn the harmful gases into harmless ones through the use of a catalytic converter.
Exhaust System Components: Exhaust Manifold – this part is attached to the cylinder, usually constructed of cast iron, which is used to conduct the exhaust gases from the combustion chambers to the exhaust pipe.
Oxygen Sensor – this is a hollow tube inserted into the exhaust manifold to measure how much oxygen is present in the exhaust. From this information, the computer can tell how well the fuel is burning and how much fuel should be added or subtracted to obtain right mixture of air and fuel.
Catalytic converter – this is where the gaseous wastes are turned into water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Muffler – this part helps in reducing noise in the exhausts system. Some mufflers are made of fiberglass to absorb the sound energy as the gases flow through it.
Exhaust Pipe – this part carries the gaseous waste out of the tail pipe. It is usually made of steel or stainless steel.
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