4 Symptoms of a Damaged or Broken Exhaust Manifold

Exhaust manifolds are an important component of all internal combustion engines. Exhaust manifolds are typically built of cast iron or pressed steel, and their purpose is to collect exhaust gases from engine cylinders and carry them to the exhaust pipes for expulsion.

The exhaust manifold is connected to the engine's cylinder heads and features openings for collecting exhaust gases from each cylinder. Manifolds made of cast iron are normally one piece, whilst those made of stamped steel are usually welded together.

Is your exhaust sounding louder than usual? To have any difficulties with your exhaust system fixed, schedule an appointment with a car service near me garage. The exhaust manifold may need to be changed if the exhaust is too loud, the engine performs poorly, or there is a burnt smell in the engine bay.

Both are built to endure the high stress and heat levels that are necessary for trapping and transporting exhaust fumes. While they are designed to be heavy-duty, they are nonetheless prone to malfunctions and can cause drivability concerns when they do. A faulty or malfunctioning exhaust manifold usually causes a few indications that warn the driver to a potential problem.

Before booking your next MOT testing service, ensure that any issues relating to the exhaust manifold are either repaired or your mechanic carries out a exhaust manifold replacement. The reason for this is a faulty exhaust manifold also known as an outlet manifold can result in an emissions test failure.

The following are 4 symptoms of a faulty exhaust/outlet manifold:

1. Noisy Exhaust - Excessively loud exhaust is one of the first signs that there is a problem with the engine exhaust manifold. If the exhaust manifold cracks, breaks, or leaks, an exhaust leak can occur, resulting in a loud exhaust. The engine bay may make a hissing or tapping sound, which may become louder as the car accelerates. Check MOT status and have a noisy exhaust repaired to avoid a potential MOT test failure.

2. Engine Performance Difficulties - Another indication produced by a faulty exhaust manifold is decreased power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency. If the exhaust manifold splits or leaks, an exhaust leak can occur, causing engine performance to suffer. A vehicle's power, acceleration, and even fuel efficiency can all be affected by an exhaust leak. If you carry out a MOT history check online and notice that a previous MOT failed owing to an emissions test, it's possible that the problem was caused by a damaged exhaust manifold.

3. Burning Smell from The Engine Bay - A burning smell from the engine bay is another sign of an exhaust manifold problem. Excess heat from a faulty heat shield or exhaust leaks in the exhaust manifold can harm neighbouring electrical and plastic components. Exhaust manifolds could reach temperatures of above 480 degrees Celsius, causing any close or connected components to catch fire. Burned components may emit a plastic burning odour that is occasionally followed by smoke and can cause other problems, therefore any burning odours should be investigated to ensure that they are not a severe problem.

4. Visible Damage - If any of the symptoms listed occur, a thorough examination of all sides of the manifold may reveal a visible crack in the metal. Don't rule out a manifold problem just because you can't see apparent damage. This crack can be hairline thin or occur where the portion is forced against the engine.

While exhaust manifolds are often built to be heavy duty in order to have a long service life, they can still have problems due to the high stress conditions they are subjected to on a regular basis. If you feel that your vehicle's exhaust manifold is malfunctioning, have it inspected by a competent technician to see if an exhaust manifold replacement is required.