Richfield Service Center – Engine Diagnostics,
Troubleshooting & Repair
Southeastern Wisconsin
"Good People to Turn To"

Tom Helmers       
Service Manager
262- 628-1932, ext.#1 Fax: 262- 628- 3030
After Hours and Towing: 262-628-1932 #3

What services and problems must I watch for in my car?

Catalytic Converter   Exhaust Gaskets   Exhaust Manifold
 Exhaust Pipe   Hangers  Clamps   Brackets   Muffler

“I have a problem with my car. Could it be the exhaust?”

Exhaust System: Catalytic Converter

Catalytic Converter - Purpose:

Using its internal catalyst, a catalytic converter's job is to greatly reduce the level of harmful emissions in a car's exhaust.

These emissions are …

• carbon monoxide
• hydrocarbons and
• oxides of nitrogen.

All of these emissions become serious problems:

• serious health and
• environmental hazards
• they contribute to the formation of photochemical smog.

A catalytic converter changes these poisonous gases to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water.

Thus, a catalytic converter can almost be thought of as an engine of its own. The converter uses fuel and oxygen to "light off" its internal catalyst, which consumes a large portion of the gases flowing through the converter. Although a converter greatly reduces emissions, it does not eliminate them altogether.

Catalytic Converter -  Description:  

• The Catalytic Converter closely resembles a muffler in appearance.
• It is located in the exhaust system and has an outer shell made of stainless steel. The similarity with a muffler ends there.
• Catalytic converters contain a catalyst made from a noble metal such as platinum, palladium or rhodium.
• A catalyst is defined as anything that induces or accelerates a change. At least one catalytic converter has been used on cars since 1975. today, cars may have two or more depending on the engine configuration and manufacturer.

Problems? Not Sure? Call us… We’re here to help. Tom Helmers        Service Manager 262- 628-1932, ext.#1 Fax: 262- 628- 3030 After Hours and Towing: 262-628-1932 ext. #3 "Good People to Turn To"

Catalytic Converter –  Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:

• Catalytic converters do not require maintenance of their own.
• BUT…their long-term livelihood depends on proper care and maintenance of your vehicle.

Watch for the following:

• If your vehicle begins to run rough
• produces smoke from the tailpipe, or
• the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light appears

…have it checked out immediately by a professional technician.

This is especially true if the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE flashes rather than being steadily lit. Neglecting these warning signs can cause expensive damage to the converter, requiring replacement. Symptoms of a faulty or failing converter may include failing an emissions test, poor performance, increased engine temperature, and bucking or hesitation.

Exhaust System: Exhaust Gaskets

Exhaust Gaskets -  Purpose: 

• An exhaust manifold gasket seals the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head.
• On V6 and V8 engines, there are two exhaust manifolds and therefore require two manifold gaskets.
• An exhaust manifold gasket seals the connection between the manifold and cylinder head. This prevents exhaust leakage out of the connection and also ensures that all exhaust gas will flow through the catalytic converter for treatment.
• Flange and ring gaskets seal other connection points in the exhaust system, such as between the exhaust pipe and exhaust manifold.

Exhaust Gaskets - Description:

• Exhaust manifold gaskets may be made of embossed steel, sometimes in multiple layers.
• These gaskets may also be made of high-temperature fiber material, graphite, and ceramic composites, among others.
• Some gaskets use a combination of different materials.
• Other types of exhaust gaskets include flange gaskets and ring gaskets located at various connection points in the exhaust system. These gaskets are usually made from the same types of materials as exhaust manifold gaskets.

Exhaust Gaskets - Maintenance Tips:

Have your vehicle’s exhaust system inspected periodically to keep your car safe.

WARNING: Exhaust gas, especially carbon monoxide, can be deadly if it enters the interior of the car.  Do NOT rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odor.

Watch for the following symptoms of a potential exhaust leak:

• a louder than normal exhaust sound
• the sound of exhaust coming from unusual places on your car
• a “ticking” noise when accelerating
• the smell of exhaust
• Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test.  A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test.

Remember, do NOT rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician.

Exhaust Manifold

Exhaust Manifold - Purpose:

The exhaust manifold routes the exhaust gases leaving the cylinder head to the exhaust system. As such, the manifold also serves as a connection point for the exhaust pipe.

• Depending on engine configuration and the number of exhaust manifolds, there may be two exhaust pipe connections.
• Depending on the year, make and emissions equipment installed on the vehicle, the exhaust manifold may also serve as a mounting location for hardware of the air injection system or for an oxygen sensor.
• Some exhaust manifolds may still include a heat riser valve, controlled by a temperature-sensitive spring. This valve is designed to help divert hot exhaust gas through a separate passage in the intake manifold to aid in better warm-up drivability.

Exhaust Manifold- Description:

Made of cast iron or tubular steel, the exhaust manifold mounts to the exhaust side of the cylinder head. An exhaust manifold gasket is used at the connection to ensure a good seal. Engines with their cylinders arranged in-line usually have one exhaust manifold. Engines with V-type cylinder arrangements, like the V6 and V8, have two separate exhaust manifolds, one mounted to each cylinder head.

Exhaust Manifold - Maintenance Tips:

Although not commonly replaced with other exhaust system parts, exhaust manifolds should be checked periodically to ensure they are tight, free from cracks, and that the exhaust pipe mounts are secure.

Watch for the Following:

• A “ticking” noise during acceleration or the sound or smell of leaking exhaust could indicate a leak at the manifold or its connections.
• However, don’t rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odor. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician.
• Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test. A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test. You will usually be required to make repairs before retesting, so have the leak checked by a professional technician.

Exhaust System:
Exhaust Pipe, Exhaust Hangers & Brackets

Exhaust Pipe - Purpose:

Exhaust pipes accomplish several functions:

• They route exhaust gas away from the engine, through the catalytic converter and muffler and out the rear of the vehicle.
• Pollution and sound are reduced
• Safety is ensured by directing exhaust gas away from the vehicle.

Exhaust Pipe - Description: 
Exhaust pipe is a general term for several different pipes used throughout the exhaust system. Exhaust pipes may be made of standard or stainless steel.
Configurations vary with different makes, models and engines. But, usually there are three major components involved:

• a front exhaust pipe connecting the exhaust manifold to the catalytic converter
• an intermediate exhaust pipe connecting the catalytic converter to the muffler, and
• a tailpipe connected to the outlet of the muffler,  serving as the exhaust outlet.

Exhaust Pipe - Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:

Have your vehicle’s exhaust system inspected periodically to keep your car safe. Exhaust pipes may not be individually replaceable due to the condition of other exhaust system components, or because the original exhaust system uses a unitized construction, where sections are welded together. Keep in mind that exhaust gas, especially carbon monoxide, can be deadly if it enters the interior of the car.
The symptoms of an exhaust leak may include:

• louder than normal exhaust sound,
• the sound of exhaust coming from unusual places on your car
• a “ticking” noise when accelerating, and the smell of exhaust.

However, don’t rely on your sense of smell as a conclusive means of determining if there’s an exhaust leak. Carbon monoxide has no odor. If you suspect any problem with the exhaust system, have it inspected immediately by a professional technician. Another symptom of a potential exhaust leak is a failed emissions test. A leak not only lets exhaust gas out, it also allows oxygen to enter the exhaust stream, which can be detected during an emissions test.

You will usually be required to make repairs before retesting, so have the leak checked by a professional technician.

Exhaust hangers, clamps & brackets

Purpose:

Exhaust hangers suspend various parts of the exhaust system, yet isolate those same parts from contacting points underneath the car such as the frame or unibody, axles, or floor. Exhaust clamps provide a tight connection between pipe sections and other components. Brackets are another type of hardware used to help locate parts of the exhaust system.

Exhaust System: Muffler

Muffler  - Purpose:

The muffler reduces and changes engine exhaust sound and tone. When properly matched to the engine, a muffler will not impair engine performance due to exhaust backpressure, which is simply the resistance to exhaust flow.

Muffler -  Description:

A standard or stainless steel casing containing an array of baffles and other sound-insulating material to reduce exhaust noise. Some cars may use several mufflers, or a secondary muffler called a resonator.
Muffler  - Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:
Have your vehicle’s exhaust system inspected periodically to keep your car safe. The muffler may not be individually replaceable due to the condition of other exhaust system components, or because the original exhaust system uses a unitized construction, where sections are welded together.
Keep in mind that exhaust gas, especially carbon monoxide, can be deadly if it enters the interior of the car.

All of Richfield Automotive Service Technicians are ASE Certified

ASE—Certifying the Automotive Professional. Why is that important?

Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to a national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With nearly 400,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified professionals can be found at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations, and franchises to parts stores, independent garages, and even municipal fleets.

Certification Benefits Motorists

ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not repair facilities. Prior to taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own in order to brush up on their knowledge. By passing difficult, national tests, ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers, and to their customers. Moreover, shop owners and managers who encourage their employees to become certified can be counted on to be concerned about the other aspects of their business.

WE ARE MEMBERS OF:

SERVICE AND PARTS DEPARTMENT 1810 Wolf Road Richfield, WI 53076 (Just off Hwy. 167, W) Located Just North of Westbury Bank, 262-628-1932