I have a 1996 Chevy Suburban that has a small hole in the rear of the muffler. It causes some annoying sounds and just sounds like something is clunking around. Is it dangerous or bad for the car if I don't get it fixed?
2007-11-24 12:00:37 · 16 answers · asked by N955EV 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hole in the muffler is not bad just makes the ride loud and annoying but your not polluting the air any more if it didn't have a hole in it. As long as the exhaust flow is ok going through the catalytic converter then it does not matter after that.
2007-11-24 12:08:47 · answer #1 · answered by Leftdawg 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is not the end of th world to drive around with a hole in the exhaust.
There are literally thousands and thousands of people driving around like that.
Almost every vehicle that comes into a muffler shop has some sort of defect and has been that way for months, sometimes years.
Yes, there is a chance of CO2 poisoning but if it were very much, people would be dropping like flies and that does not happen.
Actually, if there is less back pressure in your exhaust system you will probably experience a small increase in power, restrictive factory installed exhaust systems are terrible power robbers, that is why the aftermarket exhaust business is so busy.
And you are NOT necessarily polluting anything as long as the catalytic convertor is still functioning, that is between the muffler and the engine. The muffler has nothing to do with emissions except noise emissions.
Suburbans are great vehicles, I love them, solid, well built, easily last 250,000 miles plus, you really should keep it in good repair, fix the exhaust as soon as you can but in the meantime, it is not the end of the world.
2007-11-24 12:11:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
With a hole in the muffler then exhaust is exiting beneath your car instead of behind it. By doing that the exhaust gases, which contain deadly but odorless carbon monoxide, are given a chance to enter your car. It is especially bad in the winter when you're driving with the windows up and the heater on. Short trips may not kill you but will do harm to your lungs and will be carried to other organs through the blood. Long trips can be deadly for you as well as others. Those who ride with will also be exposed and in the event you pass out and wreck the car you may put people outside your car in danger. That is why NO state will allow a car with exhausts leaks to pass during the state safety inspection. The ones above who have said it won't hurt anything don't know what they're talking about.
2007-11-24 12:34:33 · answer #3 · answered by mustanger 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The hole in the rear of the muffler probably will not be emitting poisonous Carbon Monoxide, (CO). But it could be leaking exhaust gases that are deficient of almost all O2 (Oxygen). The exhaust leak should be repaired if you are driving with the windows closed so that you don't deplete your Oxygen supply needed for breathing. CO is an unstable gas that readily combines with a free Oxygen atom to make harmless Carbon Dioxide; (CO2). The broken piece rattling around should be replaced or removed.
2007-11-24 12:35:34 · answer #4 · answered by Phillip S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dangerous not really but in due time it will be. That is, a small hole is symptomatic of a lot of corrosion inside unless otherwise it was punctured on purpose or from a collision.
The small hole that you mentioned must be before the resonator thus the annoying sound. Have it repaired after all you are using quite a car
2007-11-24 12:08:27 · answer #5 · answered by maharli2005 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your fine, just get some exhaust repair, i like this stuff that comes in a kit with a small jar of metallic liquid, a screen, and some silver tape, it seems to last a lot longer than just the tape. Noisy, yes. Dangerous, no. Polluting the air, definitely not. Would I fix it, not necessarily.
2007-11-24 13:33:28 · answer #6 · answered by theoldsbc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I second all of the answers given thus far...yes carbon monoxide baddd! also the hole will only continue to get bigger from the vibrations and it will get louder...u might get pulled over and get a ticket for that. it's not pleasant.
2007-11-24 12:08:48 · answer #7 · answered by quambewy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cant you lose horsepower if you have a hole in the muffler?
2014-03-03 11:29:28 · answer #8 · answered by G.V. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could cause exhaust to enter the inside of your suburban. Not a good thing.........
2007-11-24 12:06:48 · answer #9 · answered by phockit47 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
u dont.... its illegal and will make ur muffler rust out pretty quick...... if u want louder sound u replace ur muffler with a free flow unit....
2016-05-25 06:17:26 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋