The exhaust system plays a significant role in the proper functionality of your heavy-duty truck. Therefore, you need to detect problems in the exhaust system and go ahead with repairs for them promptly. This is where you need to be mindful of indicators behind your heavy-duty truck exhaust issues.
If you notice any of the signs below, your heavy-duty truck might be on its way to exhaust system problems. The exhaust is critical to your heavy-duty truck’s emissions and safety, so don’t ignore the following six signs. Bring your heavy-duty truck into our shop as soon as possible.
1. Excessive noise coming from the engine
One of the first signs of exhaust problems that you should pay attention to is if you have an excessively noisy engine. If you have a faulty exhaust manifold gasket, it will cause an exhaust leak that sounds like a hissing or tapping sound. The sound is thunderous during a cold start or when you accelerate a heavy-duty truck.
2. Reduced power
If you have a problem with your exhaust, it will begin to affect the performance of your engine. You won’t be able to accelerate as well or as quickly, and you won’t get the same power when you do accelerate. This problem will worsen if you do not address the exhaust leak.
3. Reduced fuel efficiency
When your power and acceleration decrease, often the fuel efficiency of your heavy-duty truck also decreases. To get your heavy-duty truck to function as it does without an exhaust problem, it has to work even harder, therefore using more fuel. You may think that the cost of replacing or fixing your exhaust is high, but you’ll begin spending a lot more on fuel if you don’t get it fixed.
4. Burning smell coming out of the engine
If your gasket fails and begins to leak near any engine wiring or parts under the hood, the heat from the exhaust gasses could cause these parts to burn. Those burning parts then release a burning smell that can smell like a burning engine. It can also release a bit of smoke, but you shouldn’t wait to see smoke before getting it checked out. If you begin to smell any burning or see any smoke, you should have your heavy-duty truck checked immediately to avoid any risk of danger to yourself or others on the road.
5. Hanging exhaust pipe
If your exhaust pipe is hanging or dragging on the ground, you should have it fixed immediately. If any part of the pipe breaks, even a part that does not cause a leak, it can begin to hang under the heavy-duty truck. The dragging is not only a danger to you, but if it falls off the heavy-duty truck, it becomes a danger to the drivers around you.
6. Diesel smell coming from the engine
If you start to smell fuel inside your heavy-duty truck while driving, this may signal exhaust problems. It is usually caused when one of the exhaust pipes or tubes gets damaged and leaks. When that happens, the fumes from the diesel escape through any place they can. Sometimes, that place is in the cabin of your heavy-duty truck.
Final words
These are just a few ways to tell if your heavy-duty truck is having exhaust problems. If you are concerned or notice any of these symptoms in your heavy-duty truck, you should bring it to a repair shop for a checkup or replacement.