An exhaust leak can cause a lot of noise, increase emissions and cause the check engine light to come on.Carbon Monoxide can fill the cabin of your vehicle with extensive leaks, which can make you feel sick or even fall asleep while driving.Exhaust tape or epoxy can be used to fix small leaks in your exhaust system, even if it requires replacing all or parts of it.You can make a patch out of cans.
Step 1: The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
If you want to repair the exhaust leak, you will need to jack the vehicle up.When you jack up a portion of the car, the weight of that portion will be centralized into the relatively small space beneath the jack.It's important to choose a surface that can support the weight.It's extremely unsafe to jack up a car at an angle if the surface is not level.Black top or concrete is a good surface to jack up a car.Don't jack up a car on grass, dirt or gravel as it can cause the jack to topple over.
Step 2: Allow the exhaust to cool off.
While the engine is running, the exhaust piping in your vehicle can reach extremely high temperatures.If you want to avoid burning yourself, allow the vehicle to cool for a few hours.It may take a long time to allow the exhaust to cool.The hood of your car has something on it.The engine and exhaust are very hot if it is still warm.
Step 3: The vehicle should be jacked up.
At one of the designated jack points, slide a scissor or trolley jack below the vehicle.Refer to the owner's manual if you don't know where the jack points are.With the jack in the correct space, jack up the car until it is high enough to work beneath it.Place jack supports the weight of the vehicle after it is jacked up.Don't work under a vehicle that is supported by a jack.
Step 4: Take a look at the exhaust piping.
You can inspect the exhaust piping from beneath the vehicle.You can begin your inspection if you know where the leak is.Look for signs of damage.There are things that can cause exhaust leaks in lower vehicles, such as speed bumps or pot holes.Exhaust leaks can be caused by Rust.A leak can be caused by rust penetrating all the way through a pipe.Exhaust leaks can be caused by cracks in the piping.
Step 5: To find leaks, start the vehicle.
If you can't see the source of the leak, have a friend start the vehicle.You should be able to see the leak from beneath the car or truck.Don't work under a vehicle that is running.Keep your hands away from moving parts.Make sure the vehicle is in park or neutral before starting it.
Step 6: Understand the extent and type of damage.
Depending on the type of damage you find on your exhaust piping, your repair options may be different.The entire component of the exhaust may need to be replaced if the piping is covered in rust.Without cutting out parts of the exhaust, small holes can be addressed.Small holes can be repaired with exhaust tape or repair putty.Larger holes will need a piece of aluminum.
Step 7: Use a steel toothed brush to scrub the leak.
The exhaust on the underside of the vehicle is often caked with mud, dirt and rust.To scrub the area surrounding the leak, use a steel toothed brush.Most repairs won't stick or seal if done over dirt.If you can reach the leak, you should scrub the entire portion of the pipe.To prevent debris from getting in your eyes, wear eye protection while scrubbing the area.
Step 8: The surface of the pipe needs to be prepared.
If you need to repair the part of the pipe you don't have time to clean it yourself, you can use a piece of fine grit sandpaper.Sandpaper can be used to remove the last bits of dirt and help the tape adhere to it.Make sure to scrub the pipe all the way around with sand paper if you are using exhaust tape.The patch will have a stronger bond if the metal is roughed up.
Step 9: Use acetone to wipe down the surface.
Once you have brushed and sanded the pipe around the leak, you can use acetone to clean the area.The main ingredient in nail polish remover is acetone.Don't put acetone in your eyes or mouth while wiping down the pipe with it.acetone can be purchased in the cleaning chemicals section of many retail stores.
Step 10: Determine if the hole is small enough to be sealed without a patch.
Larger holes will need a patch, but small cracks can be sealed with just epoxy or exhaust tape.If the leak is a thin crack or small hole, you don't need to purchase or make a patch to fix it.You will need a patch if the hole is larger.Attempting to seal too large a hole without a patch can cause an imperfect seal or exhaust leak after a few hours of driving.
Step 11: Wrap the pipe with exhaust tape.
Wrap exhaust repair tape all the way around the pipe, covering the leak with at least two layers of tape.Wrap the tape around the pipe for a few inches to either side of the leak.Before you begin, be sure to read the instructions thoroughly because different kinds of exhaust repair tape require different methods.If you want to apply exhaust repair tape to warm pipes, you need to start the vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.It is necessary to wet other forms of exhaust repair tape.Most auto parts stores sell exhaust repair tape.
Step 12: Put the two together and apply it to the leak.
If you mix the two parts together, you can seal the leak.It will cure immediately once the two parts are mixed, so apply it to the leak as soon as possible.If you want to spread the wood around the leak, use the wooden dowel.A thick layer of epoxy should be left over the leak.After applying the epoxy, you can wrap the leak in exhaust repair tape.If you read the instructions on the package, you will know how long to allow it to sit before driving.
Step 13: Determine the patch's size.
You can purchase exhaust patch kits from your local auto parts store, but cutting up a piece of an aluminum can will be just as good as a patch for a larger exhaust leak.After scrubbing and cleaning the area, determine how large the patch will need to be to cover the leak and leave at least a half inch or so of extra material beyond the hole itself.If the area is larger than three inches, the exhaust will need to be replaced.If you purchase a patch kit, make sure to read the directions before using it.
Step 14: Attach the aluminum patch to the leak.
Use a pair of heavy duty scissors to cut a patch large enough to cover the leak.The can can be wrapped around the pipe.For smaller leaks, you can simply cut a circle of aluminum that is a half inch larger than the hole.It is possible to be cut by sharp edges while cutting a can or aluminum patch.The best seal is provided by wrapping the can around the pipe.
Step 15: The area surrounding the leak needs to be covered.
If you mix it together, you can apply it to the pipe around the leak.Make sure to apply enough epoxy to create a seal for the patch, but don't apply so much that it drips into the exhaust piping.The patch you are applying is equal in size to the leak area.If you're going to wrap the patch all the way around the pipe, you should apply most of the epoxy to the leak and a lighter coat around it.
Step 16: The patch should be placed over the leak.
Wrap a large patch around the pipe or place a small patch over the hole.Make sure the middle of the patch is over the leak.When applying the patch, it's okay if some of the epoxy squeezes out the sides.Don't let the leak extend beyond the sides of the patch.
Step 17: Apply something over the patch.
The edges of the patch can be applied with a wooden dowel.You can even coat the patch with a substance.This will help hold the patch in place while also creating a more solid seal to prevent the exhaust from leaking.It is important to coat the perimeter of the patch with epoxy to make sure there are no leaks.If you wrapped the pipe with a patch, you don't need to coat the entire patch but make sure to wear the patch on the opposite side of the leak.
Step 18: Attach the large patch to the hose.
If you wrapped the patch all the way around the pipe, use two hose clamps to secure it in place and ensure a tight seal.Place one hose clamps on either side of the leak, then use a sockets wrench or flat head screw driver to tighten the clamps over the patch.A tight seal will be ensured with the help of the hose clamps.Once you are done, you may want to remove the excess ends from the hose clamps.