Looking at the back of another vehicle, you may see an exhaust pipe sticking out of it. Do you think that it is a muffler? Have you ever wondered about the function of a muffler or an exhaust? There is a difference between the two of them.
The engine of your car generates many harmful emissions. They come from the combustion chamber. It needs to be turned into gases that are safe and are produced away from the vehicle. Here the function of an exhaust becomes essential. An exhaust muffler is a component of the broader exhaust system. Its role is to muffle the sound that an engine generates. It is crucial for eliminating noise from vehicles that cause noise pollution.
The Function of the Exhaust System
An exhaust system works to keep harmful gases away from the vehicle and thus prevents the passengers from getting sick. It also works to reduce exhaust noise. This system contains numerous pipes and pieces. The crucial parts of the exhaust system are the exhaust manifold, tailpipe, catalytic converter, muffler, and resonator. All these work in tandem to enable the exhaust gases to release from the engine under the car.
Working of an Exhaust System
The first step in the elimination of dangerous emissions starts with an exhaust manifold. It gathers the gases from every cylinder inside the combustion chamber. It then forces them through the exhaust pipe. Now the catalytic converter utilises a catalyst to turn the harmful emissions into water vapour and carbon dioxide. Note that the emissions are still dangerous, but they are not as harmful as what was produced in the engine.
The tailpipe directs the exhaust gases away from the car. An exhaust back box or muffler minimises the engine sound. It has chambers containing holes that can generate a wave that eliminates particular frequencies of sound. The exhaust gases with the sound waves come into the centre tube and fall away from the muffler’s rear wall. They are reproduced via a hole in the muffler’s main body.
Next, they pass through several holes into another chamber. Here, they are released via the last pipe and out of the exhaust muffler.
The bottom line is the difference between a muffler and an exhaust is that the muffler is a part of the entire exhaust system. The exhaust system comprises several clamps, sensors, and pipes.
Symptoms of a Muffler Problem
- If your engine produces a louder noise, it indicates an issue with the muffler.
- If you find yourself having to refuel your vehicle more often, it is again a sign of a problem with your muffler and exhaust system.
- The muffler is prone to rusting because of the accumulation of condensation in it and the exhaust system. You may also notice that your muffler starts to leak exhaust gases. It happens because of the continuous cooling down and warming up cycles over time.
- The muffler works to keep exhaust fumes away from the car. If there is any problem with it, the fumes can leak onto your vehicle. If you notice any unusual smells, there’s a problem with it.
Now that you know all about mufflers, you should not wait to take your car to a professional when you notice even a slight problem in its working.
