Are exhausts important? Mine has fallen off!

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

EdwardTeach

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18 Mar 2010
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I heard a weird rattling noise. I checked the exhaust and found that it was dangling off at a 90degree angle. The pipe has snapped most of the way through, so I pulled it off. I am just talking about the final 40cm or so of the pipe.
It is a Volvo V70 estate which runs on petrol.
What affect will this have on the car? I was expecting it sound different, but it seems to sound the same.
Any issues with driving it? i will obviously try and get it fixed asap, but I need to drive to work and it is my only car.
 
Sounds like you had more than 40cm of pipework after the last silencer, so the exhaust system itself is pretty much the same as it was before the break. As above if this is the case you'll be fine to drive it until you can get it sorted, you just won't have a visible tailpipe!
 
it'll be fine as long as none of the emission control components are damaged, given your talking about just the muffler and it's last section of pipe it'll be fine, enjoy your boy racer sound track :P
 
Not sure if it's in the rules but the exhaust is supposed to clear the underside of the car. Something about the gases blowing back in to the car if they don't, due to aerodynamic weirdness. So if you start to feel light-headed or sick you know why :D
 
You'll need it sorted before your MOT.
Is it just detached or fallen off completely? Have you still go it? Catalytic converters are quite pricey.
Mine fell off at the front once. That does not make a very nice noise digging into the road.
I'm not sure if the police stop you for that sort of thing due to the noise - if they do they'll prob let you off if you say its booked in.
 
They will stop you if it's comically loud. Especially if your in a housing estate where it will wake everyone up, someone will complain :P
 
Nasher said:
Not sure if it's in the rules but the exhaust is supposed to clear the underside of the car. Something about the gases blowing back in to the car if they don't, due to aerodynamic weirdness. So if you start to feel light-headed or sick you know why :D
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Yep this can definitely happen. Years ago my Sierra estate had a split near the middle box, if you left the windows open any journey of more than a few miles resulted in some very unpleasant sensations.
 
3 real things for you to potentially be concerned about:

1) Noise, if you've lost a silencer, it'll be louder, it'll annoy you, it'll annoy your neighbours and you'll probably getr a few funny looks. You've said it doesn't sound any different so this is probably not an issue for you

2) Fumes, depending on where the exhaust is now exiting there is a risk of exhaust fumes entering the cabin. This has the potential to be very serious in a number of ways (short term illness, long term carbon monoxide poisoning, passing out and having an accident etc), if you can smell exhaust fumes in the car or feel sick/dizzy/lightheaded then stop using the car until it is sorted.

3) Heat, again, depending on where the exhaust is now exiting you will be directing hot exhaust gasses at bits of your car that aren't designed for this, other parts can become damaged causing you more issues in the long run. You'll need to have a proper look and make a judgement call on this.
 
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