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The Exhaust
System & Other
Muffler Stuff.
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What is
it?
Your
muffler
is
actually
only one
part of
your
exhaust
system,
which is
responsible
for
removing
toxic,
burned
gasoline
fumes
from
your
engine
away
from
your car
(and
keeping
things
quiet,
of
course).
You've
also got
a series
of
pipes, a
catalytic
converter
and a
resonator,
along
with
several
other
emission
devices
under
there.
Each one
has a
special
function: |
Muffler
This is
what
cuts
down on
the
noise.
If
you're
reading
this out
loud
while
your car
is
running,
and you
can't
hear
yourself,
there's
a
problem. |
Exhaust
manifold
and heat
riser
This is
the
point
where
burned
gases
exit the
engine.
The heat
riser
(or heat
control
valve)
closes
during
start-up
to allow
the
engine
to warm
up on
some
vehicles. |
Resonator
Basically,
it's
another
type of
muffler
that
reduces
noise
even
more. |
Exhaust
pipes
These
carry
gases to
other
parts of
the
exhaust
system. |
Tail
pipe
This
is where
exhaust
leaves
the rear
of the
car.
Careful,
it's
hot!
(You may
see
water
dripping.
Don't
worry
it's
normal.)
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Catalytic
converter
This
converts
harmful
pollutants
in the
exhaust
to
harmless
gases. A
good
converter
should
last at
least
50,000
miles,
and it's
required
by law.
Don't
mess
with it.
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Brackets
and
hangers
All
the
above
components
are
suspended
from the
bottom
of the
car
using
brackets
and
hangers.
These
are
usually
flexible,
so they
bounce
around a
little
with the
movement
of the
car.
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