Inchcape Retail

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• Exhausts & Catalytic Converters
• Service Plans
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Exhausts & Catalytic Converters

The exhaust system is one of the most hard working components on your vehicle. It is constantly in use whilst the engine is running. An exhaust system on most vehicles usually comprises of four sections:

• Manifold
• Front Downpipe
• Centre Section
• Rear silencer box

Also on all vehicles registered after 1993 a catalytic converter is fitted. The most common section to become defective is the rear silencer as moisture gathers inside the box and attacks the metal. Corrosion from the inside results in hole, which causes the exhaust to blow. A defective exhaust will mean the vehicle fails the MOT test. It also causes excessive noise; thereby rendering the vehicle illegal which could lead to a fixed penalty fine. An unchecked exhaust may also result in fumes entering the car, which can lead to headaches, sickness and drowsiness.

Your exhaust emissions system is the only means of channelling away those noxious fumes, like the environmentally destructive gas carbon monoxide, generated by your engine. An exhaust that has failed can lead to noxious fumes being drawn into the vehicle cabin and prolonged exposure to exhaust fumes can make a vehicle occupant feel drowsy, which could lead to an even greater danger.

A healthy exhaust system is critical if you are to maintain the health and welfare of the vehicle occupants, a quiet smooth running engine and optimum fuel efficiency. If you have any concerns regarding the health of your vehicles exhaust system then call in to your nearest Kwik Fit exhaust centre for a free safety check today.

Catalytic Converters

How long should a catalytic converter last? It's not unusual for catalysts to last 10 years, though actual life depends on mileage and engine tune. 50,000 miles is perhaps a more reasonable benchmark, and most owners can expect to replace the catalytic converter once during the life of the vehicle. If failure occurs early, it's important that the reason for failure is identified and the cause rectified before fitting a new CAT, otherwise the replacement can be expected to fail prematurely too. There are three main failure modes:

• Melt down - unburned fuel entering the catalyst ignites on contact and the extreme heat literally melts the ceramic matrix. Poor ignition timing, a faulty oxygen sensor, worn or defective spark plugs, incorrect fuel mixture and other ignition/fuel injection related faults could lead to this failure.
  
  
• Carbon deposits - oil or antifreeze entering the combustion chamber/exhaust system can lead to a build up of carbon on the matrix, which increases back pressure leading to overheating and poor performance.
  
  
• Catalyst fracture - the ceramic matrix is fragile and can break-up as a result of excessive vibration or external impact. As the matrix breaks up back-pressure increases and overheating can result.