Loud or Blowing Exhaust? What It Means

A sudden increase in exhaust noise almost always means a leak has opened up in the system, so gas is escaping before it reaches the tailpipe. The most common causes are a section that has rusted through, a failed or split muffler, or a joint or clamp that has come loose. Rust is the usual culprit on New Zealand roads, since exhausts corrode over time from both the inside and outside. You might hear a deeper, blowing note that changes with engine speed, or a rattle if a heat shield or mounting has broken. It is worth getting checked promptly, because a leaking exhaust can fail a Warrant of Fitness and can let fumes into the cabin. Bring it to our Henderson workshop and we will find exactly where it is leaking and quote the fix. Call (09) 837 1723.

Yes. A Warrant of Fitness inspection checks the exhaust system, and a leak, excessive noise, or an insecure exhaust can all result in a fail. The rules are partly about noise and partly about safety, because a leak in the wrong place can let exhaust fumes into the cabin. So a blowing exhaust is not just an annoyance, it can stop your car being road legal until it is repaired. The good news is that exhaust repairs are often straightforward, and individual sections can usually be replaced rather than the whole system. If you have a WOF coming up and a noisy exhaust, bring it to our Moselle Ave workshop in Henderson and we will sort the exhaust and check the rest of the car at the same time, with a quote before any work.

It can be, which is why it is worth dealing with promptly rather than ignoring. The main risk is that exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, and a leak ahead of or beneath the cabin can let that gas seep inside, especially with the windows up. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless on its own, but if you can smell exhaust inside the car, that is a clear warning to get it checked straight away. A leak can also fail a WOF and tends to get worse over time. If you suspect an exhaust leak, particularly if you can smell fumes in the cabin, bring the car to our Henderson workshop and we will inspect the whole system and tell you honestly what needs doing.

Often just part of it. Modern exhausts are built in sections, so when one part fails, such as a rusted mid-section or a failed muffler, it can usually be replaced on its own without renewing the whole system, which keeps the cost down. We inspect the entire exhaust, from the manifold to the tailpipe, and show you what has failed and what is still sound. If most of the system is rusty and near the end of its life, replacing more of it at once can save you coming back in a few months, but if only one section has gone, that is all we replace. We will always recommend the most cost-effective option honestly and give you a quote before any work at our Moselle Ave workshop.