Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair is the best semi service shop in Eugene. One of the things that we can replace in your truck or RV is the exhaust manifold. The manifold can start to leak if the engine is too hot. This can crack the manifold. The manifold has a gasket that can also succumb to excess heat and crack. Once leaking, the engine control unit will turn on the check engine light (CEL).
Sketchy Performance
Aside from the CEL warning, your rig or RV’s engine performance is going to suffer. When the manifold or gasket leaks exhaust into the engine, the engine fills with exhaust gases. This affects the engine’s ability to produce combustion and causes sketchy and sputtering engine performance.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
Unfortunately, this also reduces the truck’s fuel efficiency. When the engine is running inefficiently, it burns more fuel. With fuel prices as high as they are right now, this can create a huge problem on the fuel expenses line in your budget. A leaking manifold affects the fuel mileage.
Overheating Engine
The leaking gasket or manifold is also going to overheat the engine. This is because the exhaust that is flowing out of the leak is scorching hot. You will detect strong odors coming from the engine if any of the plastic or rubber parts are melting. You will also be able to smell hot metal. If you continue to drive the truck or RV, you could cause additional engine damage due to the excess heat.
Strong Exhaust Odors
It may not be safe to continue to drive the truck or RV. The exhaust gases that are filling the engine can be drawn into the vehicle’s interior by the ventilation system. If you can smell exhaust, you need to pull over and cut the engine. You also need to call for a tow to our shop to avoid inhaling exhaust while driving. You don’t need us to tell you that this can be dangerous and even deadly.
Noises at Ignition
Finally, you may hear strange noises right after the truck or RV starts. These noises are the sound of the exhaust escaping from the manifold gasket or the manifold. The noise the exhaust usually makes is tapping or hissing. This noise may discontinue after the engine has heated up because the manifold can expand and seal the crack.
Call Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair in Eugene, OR, today so we can set up a service appointment to inspect the exhaust manifold and manifold gasket.