Auto Repair

Most riders call it "that Harley sound": the loud, rumbling exhaust that lets you know there is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle around. The stock pipes that come on a Harley are designed to meet...

Subaru Motors has employed multiple catalytic converters on its vehicles for many years now. Because the engine compartments are small and since the catalysts need heat to operate effectively,...

Total ignition timing, or total timing advance, is denoted on a placard under the hood of most vehicles. If there is no placard, consult a service manual. Total advance depends mostly on the type...

When most people think of exhaust systems on their vehicle, they think of mufflers, but an important component that comes before the muffler is the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter...

Rust is a problem no matter where you find it. But when it's the bolts and nuts on your exhaust system, it can be a little bit trying. There are multiple ways to remove a rusted bolt from the...

The LT1 is an engine designed and built by General Motors. It was fitted into several of GM's production vehicles. Due to its power output, the motor was used extensively on GMs high-performance...

The catalytic converter is a filter for the harmful emissions of the combustible engine's exhaust. It converts harmful carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide into carbon dioxide, water...

Often times, the smaller the car is, the more difficult maintenance can be. This holds true for the Ford Focus and its fuel tank. If you must remove the tank from the car for any reason, it takes...

As a result of the air/fuel mixture igniting within the engine, the engine produces carbon monoxide. That carbon monoxide, generically referred to as "exhaust," is routed out of the engine and to...

A U bolt is a bolt that is shaped like a "U" -- hence, the name. The top two points on the bolt are threaded and nuts are screwed onto them to secure them to various types of components. On...

Even if you aren't a professional mechanic there are steps that you can take to diagnose a bad head gasket. With only a few simple tools and a keen eye you can quickly determine if your head...

With its air-cooled cylinders, sturdy boxer construction and over-engineered rotating assembly, it's small wonder the VW Bug is known as one of the most reliable cars ever produced. However, no...

Rust can ruin a car, and it often hits the lowest part of the vehicle first. One of the most susceptible pieces to get damaged is usually the exhaust system. They're generally made out of welded...

The exhaust system in a vehicle is important because it expels heat and gas away from the motor. Excessive heat can cause gasket leaks, piston failure and other problems with the engine. The...

Check the oxygen sensors on a Dodge Intrepid 3.5 after roughly 100,000 miles. If the sensor fails, you will probably notice your vehicle running richer. You'll notice a stronger fuel smell in the...

Because exhaust manifolds and headers are made of iron, they are particularly susceptible to rust. Rust by itself usually doesn't present a problem for exhaust components. However, removing rusted...

The oxygen sensor is used to monitor the amount of oxygen in the exhaust system's gas stream. The sensor is located on the exhaust manifold and proper operation is dependent upon electrical...

The exhaust studs on a Volkswagen are fairly difficult to remove. While the process itself is simple, it takes an incredible amount of physical force to remove the studs. The exhaust studs hold...

Flowmaster makes exhausts for the Ford F-150, These typically amount to a replacement muffler with a special resonance chamber with baffles that produce a sound unique to the company. Flowmaster...

The oxygen (O2) sensors on an Oldsmobile Aurora are a series of small sensors placed in the exhaust system that monitor the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust. The O2 sensors relay this...

A rusty exhaust is not only unattractive, but can also lead to holes in the system. Prevention means getting off any rust that appears when it happens. This project should take about 30 minutes.

Some cars' exhaust systems will produce an odd burble or bubbling noise. For the most part this is deliberate when it occurs in vehicles upon acceleration, but not always. Many "street racers" and...

Catalytic converters are used to clean up car exhaust by burning left over fuel, not burned by the engine. They use particular properties of precious metals to catalyze the burning of hydrocarbons...

Nothing can be more frustrating than a broken-off bolt on your vehicle's exhaust manifold. Not only is this putting stress on the rest of the attaching bolts for the manifold and the manifold...

We've all heard the old saying, "Patience is a virtue." Wiser words have never been spoken when it comes to exhaust studs. Unfortunately, if you have to remove a stud, chances are it's because it...

Installing a muffler on a Pontiac is relatively straightforward. The Pontiac uses rubber hooks attached to a metal bracket that is, in turn, secured to the underside of the vehicle. Mufflers may...

The muffler on a Dodge diesel is secured to the exhaust piping with mounting bolts. The constant heating and cooling of the exhaust system may create a phenomenon of "cold fusion" between the...

One of the most significant technological advancements in auto industry history, the catalytic converter has been a savior for the environment, cleaning pollutants from motor vehicle exhaust and...

A natural byproduct of a combustion engine is water. It is expelled with the exhaust gases. Fuel is mixed with air and then forced into the cylinders. Once the mix is inside the cylinder, a small...

The Ford Expedition has been sold since 1997. Although the Expedition has seen many changes over the years, it has retained the same engine options since day one. The Expedition is equipped with...

Rusted nuts and bolts are one of the toughest problems to deal with when repairing your car. Moisture and air cause the rust over time, making the nut or bolt difficult to remove. Luckily,...

The easiest way to change the sound of your exhaust is to change out the muffler. Generally, this is done at an exhaust shop. But if you have a welder and some time, you can do it yourself using...

The byproducts of automotive combustion are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and water. After the engine has used up the ingredients required for combustion, these byproducts must...

The exhaust system on a vehicle is designed to carry the burned engine gases away from the car, according to www.autoeducation.com. If there is even one exhaust leak, these gases, which include...

The exhaust manifolds on your Ford vehicle routs exhaust gases into the exhaust system. On the 5.4L model, one manifold is mounted to the left and right side of the engine. When cracked or...

The EGR, or exhaust gas re-circulation, valve is a key part of your vehicles exhaust system. The EGR valve is responsible for making your vehicle run efficiently by optimizing fuel intake. The EGR...

The Mazda RX7 exhaust may need to be replaced if you live in northern climates where road salt will eat away at the metal underneath the car or if you live near the ocean (where the moisture and...

The Nissan Maxima has a series of O2 sensors installed into the exhaust system of the vehicle. The upstream or front sensor is located on the exhaust manifold, underneath the vehicle. The sensor...

The oxygen sensor on a Honda CRV monitors the emissions coming from the exhaust port of the engine. These sensors send information about the contents of the exhaust to the vehicle's ECU, which...

Prior to the 1970s, cars spewed unhealthy emissions into the air, creating smog. One man, with the desire to clean up the air we breathe, found a way to convert the pollutants in automobile...

The Dodge Ram Sport is a full-sized pickup truck made by Chrysler. The 1999 model year represented the end of the second generation for the Dodge Ram Sport. Like all trucks, the Ram takes a lot of...

The oxygen sensor on a Dodge Ram helps to monitor the exhaust gases (emissions) coming out from the exhaust. However, it also serves as a device that monitors the air/fuel ratio going into the...

Catalytic converters are essential pieces of exhaust equipment that help control the amount of harmful pollutants that vehicles release into the atmosphere. The converter is filled with a material...

Installing a dual exhaust on a Ford station wagon is the exact opposite of removing it. However, if you had the exhaust removed for you or you are doing custom work for your vehicle in stages, you...

An exhaust manifold gasket seals the exhaust to the engine block. Typically, the only time you need to change the gasket is when you notice an exhaust leak. After you have removed the exhaust,...

An O2 sensor measures the contents of the exhaust gasses coming out of the engine. These types of sensors are typically plugged into the catalytic converter or exhaust system to measure how many...

This article explains how to replace an O2 sensor. It is based off of a 2001 Hyundai Tiburon but the general procedure should be the same for any car.

The catalytic converter is subjected to reduced exhaust flow from the vehicle if the converter is allowed to overheat for any length of time. This is usually caused by poor spark plugs, sticking...

The catalytic converter on a Honda is an emissions component located in the exhaust system. A catalyst inside the catalytic converter combines unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide with oxygen...