Q: Exhaust spacers
I decided I wanted to make my stock exhaust louder so I added 3 small washer on each bolt right behind the muffler. This creates a small gap. I have noticed a leak from gap. My question is: how dangerous is this? Do the fumes really go into the cabin?
My car has 32250 miles.
Hello - this is not a good idea for several reasons. Yes, exhaust fumes can really be pulled into the cabin by a window that is down, or through a rear hatch. In addition, the leaked exhaust, which is still rather hot at this point, may be exiting the pipe near a fuel or brake line - not a safe or happy combination. If you want a "sportier" exhaust sound, pick one of the many aftermarket suppliers of a sport exhaust. For the sake of everyone in the car, just make sure the exhaust flange has a good seal, and the exhaust exits at the rear of the car.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Transmission light flashing
Hi. Transmission light usually flashes due to overheating. If the fluid is low, it is possible for the transmission to overheat. Depending on how much it overheats, the remaining fluid can be pushed out of the vent tube. Low fluid...
Driver's side window fell off track
It sounds like your window regulator has broken. The window regulator is composed of cables and pulleys that raise and lower the window. Oftentimes, the pulleys are made of plastic, and will break. This will cause the window to drop...
Clicking sound from tire
Hi! The sound you are describing is a common giveaway of a faulty CV axle. I suspect that the joint inside of the axle is binding up and is causing the noise. The joints on your particular vehicle may fail...
left front and right rear brakes locked up while driving
From the sounds of things, a fault with the ABS system seems the most likely at this point as the original cause. A few other causes would be a brake caliper that had seized (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-brake-caliper) or a mechanical brake issue,...
Reverse doesn't work? Could it be solenoid?
Hi there, thanks for writing in. There is a reverse band that will lock the reverse drum to reverse the rotation of the output shaft. You will need to have the transmission tested to see if the band is being...
White smoke emitted after starting car and gas smell
White smoke out the tailpipe is usually a sign of coolant leaking into the exhaust or cylinder. This is usually caused by a blown head gasket, cracked cylinder head, or cracked engine block. It will also cause a misfire similar...
Car stutters and makes a clicking sound
Hi there. There could be several different possible causes for this to happen and truly needs the eyes and ears of a qualified technician to pinpoint. It could be as serious as an internal transmission failure to something as simple...
My car jerks when put on reverse and speed drop atimes when I accelerate
What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being sent by...
Can a Catalytic converter break up little pieces and ruin your engine
It is not possible for broken off pieces from a catalytic converter to get into your car's engine and damage it. However, if your vehicle's catalytic converter is damaged, including breakage or melting of the internal honeycomb substrate that contains...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Subaru Legacy
The The 2012 Subaru Legacy has top safety ratings, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and good fuel economy making it an attractive option for a family sedan. Key Features The Subaru Legacy comes with a 2.5i six speed manual transmission with 170hp....
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Subaru Tribeca
This This 7-passenger SUV may have trouble keeping its head above water in the sea of competition, but its standard AWD, clean exterior lines and style-forward cockpit design make it an attractive choice in an increasingly crowded segment. Aside from...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Tropical Climate
If If you live in a tropical climate, most of your vehicle purchasing concerns will be essentially the same as if you lived anywhere else – you want a car that looks good, offers decent gas mileage, and suits the...
Browse other content
Cities
Estimates