When your exhaust is leaking, you may hear a lot of different noises. However, strange noises are not the only sign your exhaust is leaking.
1. Poor Engine Performance
Poor engine performance is common when your exhaust is leaking. The sensors on your car's exhaust pipe receive incorrect values when you have an exhaust leak. As a result of the incorrect values, false information is sent to the engine control unit. This control unit uses the provided information to calculate the air-fuel mixture of the upcoming engine cycle. Since the values are incorrect, the air-fuel mixture will not be normal, causing idle, rough acceleration, slow acceleration, and misfires.
2. Weird or Strange Odors
If you can smell the exhaust fumes when your vehicle's engine is running, that's a sure sign you have an exhaust leak. Your vehicle's exhaust system is designed to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle, so when you smell these toxic fumes, you know without a doubt you have a problem.
3. Failed Emissions Test
In many states, you are required to have an emissions test performed on your vehicle. In order to receive your vehicle registration, your vehicle must pass the emissions test. If you have a leak in any part of the exhaust system, your vehicle will fail the emissions test.