How Much Does It Cost To Fix An Exhaust Leak?
Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
If you didn’t know the official name, the thing (or things) that stick out of the back of your car are called exhaust pipes. Their function is to rid your vehicle of gasses produced while driving due to changes in oil and heat. Checking to ensure that your exhaust pipe is working correctly is crucial, especially as one of the gasses released is carbon monoxide.
Below, we’ll go into how much does it cost to fix an exhaust leak and also cover signs that you can watch for to keep your car running in tip-top shape. Plus, we’ll go into how your exhaust pipe functions and why it’s essential to keep your vehicle running like a well-oiled machine.
What Does Your Exhaust System Do?
Interactions under the hood produce gasses. These gasses need to be released somewhere, primarily because of one harmful byproduct (carbon dioxide). That’s why your exhaust system and pipes are there, leading gasses released from your engine, below your car, and out through the exhaust pipes.
Any leak or scratch along the way could allow gasses to escape in other areas, releasing them closer to you and your lungs.
On top of that, exhaust systems help tame down the sounds of gasses interacting, muffling them a bit so they are not so noisy. As you speed up, step on your breaks, or experience a super sunny day, your exhaust pipes start working tirelessly to keep your car running and harmful gasses far away, making them an essential piece of your vehicle.
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How Much Does It Cost to Fix An Exhaust Leak?
When it comes to parts on your car, the amount you’ll have to spend to repair them depends on the amount of damage to the part plus the labor. Labor changes with many factors, including the area you’re in, and the estimated time it will take. Take a look at the competition and try to find someone who won’t charge you an arm and a leg for labor.
Pushing labor costs aside, just how much does it cost to fix an exhaust leak? It could be as little as $30 and go all the way up to $400. The reason for the differences in costs has to do with the severity of your leak. There are all kinds of leaks, all of which could affect your car differently. To rank them from least to most serious, you’re looking at:
- Applying a sealant
- Replacing the exhaust pipe
- Replacing the exhaust pipe plus another damaged area of your car (engine, transmission, radiator)
Because the cost increases with severity, it’s always a good idea to keep a watch out for signs of an exhaust leak and stop them long before they can cause damage to other parts of your car. Things like your engine, transmission, and radiator could be severely damaged if you don’t fix the problem quickly.
Checking For An Exhaust Leak
First of all, you should keep in mind that your exhaust pipe gets rid of smoke from hot oils making interaction within your car. In other words, it’s hot! Be sure not to touch your exhaust pipe or get near it unless it’s cooled down. Instead of starting right at the pipe, you could go to the hood, pop it open, and check the exhaust manifold.
While it might look like a maze, you will see that there are pipes that go from your engine to the underside of your car. These are the tubes and pipes connecting your engine to your exhaust pipe, which you’re looking for. To check, simply follow the pipes all the way down and check for signs of holes, rusting, or damage.
If you don’t see anything unusual along the pipe, you could also:
- Listen for a loud muffling sound
- Check for large amounts of smoke exiting your pipe
- See if your “Check Engine” light is on
If your car seems to be acting up, it’s always a good idea to take it in to be on the safe side. The earlier you catch signs of damage or corrosion, the less expensive the repairs will be. Plus, you could save yourself from exposure to harmful gasses too.
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Fixing Your Exhaust Pipe Leak
For ways to repair yourself, you could use exhaust tape. This should not be a permanent fix but something to buy you time while figuring out all of the damages. To do this, simply:
- Sand down the area with holes
- Add acetone to a rag and wipe off
- Wrap exhaust tape or exhaust patches around the damaged area
While this will keep you safe from harmful gasses making their way into your car, it will not take care of the issue for long. Plus, you want to protect all the other parts of your vehicle, so you don’t have high costs to pay further down the road.
Causes of Exhaust Leaks and Preventative Measures
Two of the most common causes of exhaust leaks are driving on rough roads regularly and exhaust systems with rust damage. Driving on bad roads regularly will cause your vehicle to shake and bump, which may weaken the structural integrity of the exhaust components. Meanwhile, rust and corrosion in the exhaust system will render the parts vulnerable to holes and leaks.
Moreover, if one of the hangers that secure the exhaust system detaches or the rubber isolator section succumbs to wear and tear, other components may become damaged or weakened. With the hangers securing the exhaust system gone, the constant vibrations and impact while driving will expose the other components to potential leaks.
So what can you do to prevent exhaust leaks?
Your best solution to prevent exhaust leaks and the associated problems is to have routine inspections by your trusted mechanic. A mechanic should be able to identify early onsets of wear and tear that may lead to exhaust leaks before they turn into a bigger, more expensive issue.
Don’t Get Taken by Surprise
When it comes to keeping your car running smoothly, your exhaust pipe plays an important role. On top of that, it keeps you from coming into close contact with fumes that could be harmful to your health. That’s why taking care of your exhaust pipes and checking for leaks often is critical.
Understanding just how much does it cost to fix an exhaust leak, you can keep yourself better prepared just in case something happens and you need a quick fix. Always check for signs of a leak and patch it up immediately if you spot one. Even if you patch it up, you should still take it to a professional to ensure other parts of your car do not get damaged.
Taking care of your car is critical to making sure it runs smoothly. Check your exhaust pipes and keep yourself and your car safe from harmful fumes.
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