Do not ignore a leaking exhaust

The exhaust tailpipe is by design the outlet of gases leaving the engine. A leak is when the gases find other outlets before reaching the designated one.

Joel Katongole states that a leaking exhaust increases the vehicle’s fuel consumption, and for modern vehicles, it will notify the motorist that it is happening because the sensor (oxygen) will be compromised.

He explains that a car with a leaking exhaust cuts down on performance, and with modern vehicles with a lot of electronics, it gets to the point where it is crippling the vehicle.

Saeed Bilali Lali who works at a car bond in Nakawa, Kampala agrees. He says a leaking exhaust lowers the performance of the vehicle and increases fuel consumption.

The manufacturers design the exhaust to expel the gases in a particular way. “There is a designated way for the fumes to come out.

The exhaust starts small, has a bulge where the catalytic converter seats and becomes small again,” he notes. A leak causes even the sound of the vehicle to change.

He also adds that given how catalytic converters are being stolen from vehicles lately, they can fail to weld back the area properly creating a leak.

Umar Kasujja also says a leaking exhaust increases fuel consumption by a percentage.
He explains: “It is because it leads the vehicle to lose power. And when the vehicle loses power, it increases its consumption to push it ahead.

You will push the accelerator pedal at some angle so that the vehicle can move hence causing high fuel consumption.”

Katongole says even with their rally cars, after removing the silencer, they make sure the oxygen sensor is properly positioned, if not the warning light will keep asking for it. It has to be between the catalytic converter and the engine.

“That is to be able to sense the air getting in and out of the engine so it is easy to mix the fuel properly.” 

Exhaust leaks also pose a danger to the environment given the gases escape before reaching the catalytic converter which is charged with turning harmful emissions into less harmful gases. And also, an immediate danger to the health of the occupants of the car.