You can also do an audible inspection for an exhaust leak if you know what a leak sounds like. Don’t forget to check the top of each component with a mechanic’s mirror. Check all of these for holes, dents or creases. These will look like large metal tubes or boxes connected along the exhaust piping.
![leaky manifold leaky manifold](http://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ford-trucks.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-img_1229_b71557192299daa137e08135ce690cd2558a901b.jpg)
There may be one or multiple catalytic converters, resonators or mufflers. Also inspect each of the exhaust components as you go back. Look for any holes or places where the pipe has broken or come apart. From there, follow the piping back under your vehicle all the way to the rear. Sometimes they are covered by a heat shield so look hard. It likely will look rusty and either be a number of tubes, or one large tube. It will be where the exhaust gases exit your vehicle’s engine. Pop your hood and find the exhaust manifold. You should never touch or handle any part of your exhaust system if your vehicle has been driven anytime in the last few hours! Start with a visual inspection. It can be difficult to check for an exhaust leak and find the problem since your exhaust pipe gets so hot. Repairing your exhaust system starts with identifying where the problem is. Some of the repairs on your exhaust system can be done yourself, while others should be left up to a professional. Your vehicle’s exhaust system lives a tough life so at some point in the life of your vehicle it will likely need to be replaced or repaired. Lastly, your exhaust system runs along the bottom of your vehicle so it is exposed to all of the elements from road dust and debris to rain, salt, snow, and ice.
![leaky manifold leaky manifold](http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/309464.jpg)
This water often exits your exhaust in vapor form but on cold days or short drives, the inside of your exhaust system can be left wet, which causes the metal pipes and components to rust. Also, one of the byproducts of good combustion in your vehicle’s engine is water. The extreme temperature swings – from ambient temperature to possibly over 1200 degrees – cause a lot of stress on all of these components. To accomplish this your exhaust system uses a variety of manifolds, heat shields, pipes, joints, flexible unions, mufflers, and rubber hangers. So your exhaust has to safely carry dangerous fumes quickly and quietly to the back of your car without getting anything too hot. Lastly, your engine vibrates and moves around quite a bit while you are driving depending on whether you are accelerating heavily, downshifting or just idling. The complications come in when you look at the route that your exhaust will have to take and keep in mind that it can get to be extremely hot. Your exhaust system’s secondary purpose is to muffle the sound of the explosions that are happening inside your engine as well as the sound of high-velocity gases escaping from your tailpipe.
![leaky manifold leaky manifold](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLQEnPfC3Zg/Vp-YRv0QP4I/AAAAAAAABlU/uHUsoV80rXo/s1600/leaky%2Bfitting.jpg)
LEAKY MANIFOLD WINDOWS
The safest place is somewhere outside of your vehicle, far from you and any windows or openings in your vehicle which usually means somewhere under your rear bumper. The primary goal of your vehicle’s exhaust system is to direct the gases coming from your combustion chamber to a safe place. Your vehicle’s exhaust system serves a relatively simple purpose but sometimes accomplishes it in a complicated way. In this article, we will talk about your vehicle’s exhaust system, symptoms of a leak and what you can do about. Exhaust leaks can range from very serious problems to an issue that seems to make your car or truck sound really cool and go faster.