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6 Signs Your Muffler Needs to be Replaced

6 Signs Your Muffler Needs to be Replaced

Rick & Ray’s Auto Plaza shows the signs your muffler needs to be replaced.

As a key part of your vehicle’s function, your muffler system should be working properly at all times. If not, it could cause many problems, from loud noises and dangerous emissions to foul odors and decreased gas mileage. An ill-functioning muffler can result in exhaust back pressure, which in turn can damage other areas of your vehicle – so much so that you may no longer be able to drive it.

If you suspect you have a faulty muffler, it’s important to take your vehicle to a professional like Rick and Ray’s where we specialize in muffler repair and replacement.

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First, what’s a muffler? They work just as they sound – muffling the loud noises produced by your engine while ensuring your vehicle can keep running efficiently. Engines produce lots of power, with many thousand combustions and pulsations occurring every minute. In essence, your muffler is a cylindrical component attached to the exhaust pipe to filter loud noises. If you don’t have a properly functioning muffler, you will hear excessive noise and experience other problems as well.

Here are a few signs that your muffler needs to be replaced.

1. Loud Noises

The most common culprit of a poor muffler is loud, strange noises or roaring coming from the vehicle. The purpose of a muffler is to reduce noise coming out of the exhaust system, so if you hear a sudden loud noise when accelerating on the road, your muffler is starting to fail, if it hasn’t already. Those noises are often caused by cracks or holes in the muffler.

Exhaust travels through your muffler, where its chamber reduces the magnitude of the vibrations brought on by the exhaust. This reduces sound production. If your muffler is damaged in some way, those vibrations cannot be managed well and will lead to roaring noises every time the car is driven.

A compromised muffler can also lead to leaks, which translate to thumping, clunking, or rattling noises in the exhaust pipe.

2. Foul Odor

Do you smell a foul odor coming from the car? This could be due to the fact that your muffler is no longer filtering fumes out of your exhaust because of a leak or muffler damage. Those fumes become trapped and produce an odor that you can clearly smell when in the vehicle. This needs to be addressed right away, as it can be very dangerous and even fatal to breathe in exhaust fumes.

Dispersing these fumes into the air is also very bad for the environment. That’s the reason we have exhaust systems in the first place – to control emissions that can break up the ozone layer.

3. Reduced Gas Mileage

Have you been noticing your gas mileage decreasing? This could be a sign of a malfunctioning muffler. If so, you will need a muffler replacement, which filters the exhaust more efficiently and boosts your gas mileage.

A strong exhaust system with a fully functional muffler will contribute to better fuel economy. So, if you’ve been heading to the gas station more often or you’re getting fewer miles to the gallon, a faulty muffler could be to blame.

exhaust muffler 500pxw

4. Dripping

If you see dripping and signs of rust coming from your muffler, the damage you can’t see is likely probably extensive. When the exhaust cools down, moisture condenses and settles in the pipes. That liquid will start to corrode the pipes and seams of your muffler, given enough time, and lead to leaks and loud noises. Get it looked at immediately, especially if you have multiple leaks coming from different places.

5. High Engine Temperatures

Damaged mufflers cause blockages, leading to extremely high engine temperatures or a loss of power. Think you have a muffler issue? Let your car idle for a couple of minutes. If you take note of unusually high engine temps, the issue should be addressed immediately.

6. Old Age

Like all other components of your vehicle, muffler systems get old and start to deteriorate. In fact, most mufflers only last between five and seven years. Some factors can speed up the aging process, such as road salt, speed bumps, and potholes. Signs that your muffler is getting on in years include holes or areas of significant rust. It’s a good idea to perform an inspection of your muffler every so often to examine its physical condition. A small amount of surface rust is usually common, but if it has started to penetrate the metal, it’s time for a replacement.

In Conclusion

Bottom line is, unresolved issues pertaining to your car’s muffler can greatly reduce the car’s efficiency, introducing major engine problems, and translating to high auto repair bills that you hadn’t expected. When you don’t expect costs like that, it’s tough to stay within a budget.

If you notice any of the above problems with your vehicle and muffler, it’s imperative that you take your car to a trusted mechanic who specializes in your type of vehicle. Whether you own a BMQ, Audi, Volvo, Honda or Cadillac, choosing someone who knows your make and model is the wise choice, as you’ll get the most effective and affordable results.

That’s why you should…

Contact Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza

If you think you need a muffler replacement, you’ve come to the right place. Book your appointment for a new muffler when you contact us in Fort Worth TX at 817-609-4293. Our technicians will inspect your vehicle, troubleshoot what’s going on, and replace or repair the muffler as needed. For your convenience, we are located at 2425 Cullen St. in Fort Worth, TX and our business hours are Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Muffler replacement is part of our emission/exhaust service and we would be glad to help diagnose your troubling issue.

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