Did you know that the average lifespan of a muffler is 40,000 miles to 80,000 miles? In terms of years, this equates to about two to four years. The muffler does more than muffle the noise of your engine’s exhaust being processed through the exhaust system. The muffler also routes the exhaust out of your automobile via the tailpipe. If your muffler is going bad, you will notice one or more of the following signs of a bad muffler. Bring your vehicle to our shop for a new muffler.
Loud Noise
You will notice that your muffler is bad if you listen to your engine. If your SUV, car, or truck is suddenly much louder than it normally is, the problem could be the muffler. The muffler will also rattle if it is loose. It may also rattle if it gets broken by road debris. If road debris punches a hole in your muffler, your vehicle will get much louder, especially when you press down on the accelerator.
Visible Damage
You can also inspect your muffler when your vehicle is cold and not running. Slide underneath the automobile and check the muffler for holes and rust. If the muffler is damaged or corroded, you need to replace it with a new one. We can do that here at our shop. We can also inspect your muffler for you if you would prefer. We understand that you may not feel comfortable sliding under your car.
Noticeable Water
If you do feel comfortable sliding under your car, you should also check the muffler for excess water. The muffler may be covered in condensation if the weather is particularly humid outside, but it should not be leaking water. If you can see water dripping from the muffler, the muffler is going bad and needs to be replaced with a new one. It’s possible that the leak was caused by road debris.
Overheating
Finally, your muffler can make your engine overheat if it is going bad. You will know that the vehicle is overheating because you will be able to see it on the temperature gauge. The engine will get too hot relatively quickly after you start your automobile. This can be a sign that the muffler is leaking exhaust into the engine and, as such, the exhaust is making the engine too hot when it is running.
Call us today if you believe your muffler has gone bad. We will inspect the muffler and replace it if necessary.