Common Causes of Unusual Sounds from the Exhaust of Your Ford

If your Ford is producing unusual sounds from the exhaust system, then it is the right time you visit a professional garage. A malfunctioning exhaust can produce a symphony of different sounds, and each one may indicate a separate issue. Based on the location of the exhaust system underneath the car, it is vulnerable to wear and tear and damage from road debris. This combination may cause leakages in the form of cracks and holes.

Unusual exhaust noises must be treated with urgency to avoid more costs down the road. Continuing to drive your Ford with exhaust system damage may cause problems for other components of your vehicle. Let’s check out some of the ways a failing exhaust system can affect your overall function and performance in your Ford.

Rattling Noises

When your engine is running and you hear a persistent rattling noise from the exhaust, then it can be an indicator that your catalytic converter is failing. A catalytic converter is a gadget that uses a chamber to convert harmful gases from the engine into safe gases like steam, carbon dioxide, and water. A blocked catalytic converter will cause your Ford car or truck to produce a rattling noise.

It is a health hazard to continue driving your Ford with a faulty catalytic converter, as poisonous gases might make their way into the cabin. In the event that the catalytic converter is faulty, you will get an error code of P0420 or P0430 in a Ford F150, Ford Mustang, Ford Taurus, and Ford Fusion. If this occurs, it has to be replaced as soon as possible.

Another common problem could be the heat shield, which becomes loose with time. If you hear a rattling noise, please stop by our shop today to have it inspected so you can have a proper diagnosis of the problem.

Loud Sounds

This type of sound is normally a result of a hole or a crack in the exhaust pipe. It could be from the middle of the car to the rear of the pipe. Upon inspection, we will check the areas around bends or at joints where pipes join boxes. This will allow us to identify any soot deposits, which means there is a leakage. In the event of an exhaust leak, the muffling of the noise is suspended, making the noise louder.

This could also be an indication of a cracked or broken muffler. The muffler dissipates the large burst sounds of the burned gases used during your engine’s combustion. It also controls the backpressure of the engine, improving the endurance and performance of your Ford’s engine.

The pressure waves created by the engine valves are channeled and bounced around a chamber, which creates opposite waves. The two sets of waves clash, dissolving one another and efficiently muffling the emitted noise. If there is such a loud noise coupled with decreased engine performance, then you can be pretty certain the muffler is the culprit.

Hissing Noise

A dramatic increase in hissing noise from the front part of the exhaust system indicates a cracked manifold. Our experienced technicians will check for cracked manifolds which could render the car undrivable in serious circumstances. In many cases, the issue could be the exhaust manifold gasket. Its function is to seal between the engine cylinders and the exhaust system. During the heating and cooling cycles the gaskets heat and expand and then contract as the temperature recedes. This strenuous cycle causes them to break with time, leading to leakages.

Chugging Noise

A chugging noise could most certainly indicate a blockage in the exhaust system, particularly the catalytic converter. During the normal operation of the vehicle, the converter will be clogged with carbon deposits or its cavity could be deformed. This could be caused by filling your car with low-quality fuel, internal combustion engine malfunctions, using a non-original part, or destruction of the porous ceramic element as a result of impacts on the ground while driving over bumps.

Landmark Motors is at Your Service

At Landmark Motors we sell, repair, and maintain Ford, Land Rover, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Lexus, and other quality brands. Our company was established in 1999 and is located opportunely at 13815 NE 24th St, Bellevue, WA 98005.

Stop by and see why many people love us and service their cars at our auto center. You can contact us at 425-800-0345. We are open for business Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. We have professional, no-pressure, certified technicians who are eager to assist you with your car care.

* Ford Mustang Car image credit goes to: DarthArt.