The exhaust system in a car is extremely important because it provides the basic comfort of driving a car. If manufacturers did not provide for a long enough and sophisticated noise suppression system, you would not enjoy operating a vehicle, and earplugs or professional protective headphones would be an everyday accessory for everyone. You may have noticed that modern cars have very quiet engines. In the cabin you can not hear the engine at all, and coming close to the hood of the car in the street, you hear only muffled clatter. All this has become possible, thanks to the constant improvement of silencers on cars.

Let’s consider what else this complex can do. After all, why do manufacturers spend money at all and install expensive muffler elements in a car? 

What role does the muffler perform in the car?

There are a number of tasks that the exhaust system performs. In the past, automobiles used simpler devices that did not always provide sufficient noise and vibration elimination. Today, however, the devices are more effective, but expensive. So it’s more expensive to repair and maintain. But you get a great operation and you use the machine with as little noise as possible.

So, the main functions of a modern exhaust system:

– changing the cross-section of the exhaust flow – this is made possible by the implementation in the system of chambers of various types and sizes, as well as due to the constant narrowing/expansion of the exhaust flow;

– exhaust gas recuperation – modern exhaust gas recuperation systems are equipped with EGR valves, which make the car more economical by burning off the gases in the combustion chamber;

– sound wave interference – this is a simple and long-standing technology that is realized by perforating some tubes in the system, it effectively dampens the noise of different frequencies;

– sound wave absorption in the resonator – this device contributes to the reduction of coarse noises and also makes it easier to work directly with the muffler, which is installed behind the resonator;

– absorption of sound waves, thanks to the presence of a special material in the chambers, this material absorbs sounds and creates a comfortable operation of the car in any conditions.

Also do not forget about the catalytic neutralization of exhaust gases. Modern exhaust systems have a catalytic converter, which reduces the toxicity of the exhaust and allows the car to climb up the ladder of environmental cleanliness levels. Changing the design of the catalytic converter in recent times reduces the life of this device and also makes it more expensive. But without this system, the car won’t be able to pass modern environmental standards. Read here how to choose a muffler.

Why do mufflers fail?

The reason for the failure of this equipment is simple – condensation. The fact is that during operation, the exhaust system takes a very hot stream of air from the engine, and the catalytic converter even collides with the flame. This causes the system to heat up and cool down quickly when the engine is stopped. This causes condensation to form. If a car is operated every day and does not stand idle, the risks of muffler damage by corrosion are minimal. But if it is a matter of prolonged idling, the muffler immediately begins to rot.

There are a lot of reasons of metal destruction:

– condensation settles at the bottom of the muffler segments and does not escape, causing it to quickly destroy any protective coatings on the metal and cause aggressive rapid corrosion;

– High temperature also destroys any paint and other protective coatings provided by the manufacturer, no type of anti-corrosion protection is able to protect these parts from rusting;

– prolonged idle time is the biggest enemy of an automobile silencer, it starts the process of covering the internal part of the product with rust and this process cannot be stopped any more;

– dents and scratches from stones and metal obstacles in the road – it is very important for cars with low clearance, mechanical damage and microcracks accelerate the corrosion process;

– also the low quality and small thickness of the metal is a factor in the rapid failure of parts of the exhaust system, and it should be considered when choosing spare parts to repair the unit.

It is necessary to admit that there are quite a lot of factors of destruction. Mufflers do not last very long even under ideal conditions, because they work in extreme temperatures and have to constantly deal with drastic changes. Any metal gives up pretty quickly in these conditions. If the muffler breaks, the segment will have to be replaced. Welding is a rather dubious method of restoration, considering the conditions in which the metal has to work. Welds in such conditions are unpredictable and can cause problems the day after the repair.

Preventive treatments or other methods of muffler metal protection don’t make any sense. The point is that the paint or anticor will fly off at the first trip. These parts cannot be protected with any coatings because of severe heating. The only thing you will gain in such case is permanent unpleasant smell in a compartment. Only after a week of operation will the smell disappear.

When buying exhaust system segments, you should also note that they need a run-in. They are painted to protect them from rust during shipping and waiting in storage. How to replace muffler read here.

To summarize

A modern car will make you very happy with a quiet ride. But in our world, you have to pay for all comfort. A silencer in a modern car performs several tasks at once. This is the increase of the ecological class of the car, reducing the engine sound, reducing the vibration on the body. And the more perfect muffler system is, the better it copes with each separate task. But also the more perfect exhaust system is installed in the car, the more money will have to be laid out of your own pocket for maintenance and repair of such products.