SMOG AND EXHAUST SYSTEM REPAIRS
The technicians at San Jose Auto Repair specialize in exhaust system leaks, broken exhaust pipes, muffler welding, cracked exhaust manifold, rusted and broken exhaust bolts.
Neglected exhaust leaks will cause additional parts failures. More importantly however, poisonous exhaust fumes will pool under the vehicle and enter the passenger compartment creating a hazardous condition for all occupants.
The typical exhaust system components consist of the following:
Located in the engine compartment and directly attached to the engine. Made of heavy cast iron, the manifold is designed to absorb the extreme heat created by the engine. Common problems include cracking and broken attachment bolts which in turn create an exhaust leak. A cracked exhaust manifold is normally a result of a poorly maintained engine causing more heat the exhaust manifold was never designed to handle.
Front Pipe & Flange Gaskets
The front pipe is attached to the exhaust manifold and connects to the catalytic converter. Usually this is the location of the primary (sensor 1) Oxygen Sensor. The oxygen sensor tip is constantly measuring the presence of the exhaust gas oxygen content. The value derived is sent to the vehicle’s onboard computer, to determine whether to enrich or lean the air/fuel mixture. The flange gasket is designed to seal the pipe and manifold connection.
Locations can vary from a direct attachment to the exhaust manifold or behind the front pipe. A second oxygen sensor (sensor 2) is located behind or directly on the converter.
The catalytic converter reduces the emissions of the following pollutants:
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Oxides of Nitrogen (O2x)
A properly functioning catalytic converter will reduce harmful pollutants by up to 90%. The converter contains precious metals Platinum and Rhodium.
The platinum in the converter creates a reaction initiating oxidation (burning), which cause the HC and CO to combine with oxygen, this creates water vapor and carbon dioxide.
The Rhodium in the converter "removes" the oxygen from the NOx to form nitrogen and oxygen.
Tip: The catalytic converter is designed to operate between 700 and 1500 degrees F.
An engine with a misfire (running rough, consuming excessive fuel) can cause the temperature in the catalytic converter to heat to 2500 degrees F. damaging the converter.
Muffler(s) & Intermediate Pipe(s)
Mufflers are simply designed to create exhaust backpressure and reduce noise. The curves in the exhaust pipes are engineered with backpressure in mind and positioned to reduce wind drag under the vehicle.
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