Top 5 Hole in Muffler Symptoms

When a hole begins to form in your muffler, there are some warning signs that you need to look out for. As soon as you notice these symptoms, you need to get your muffler or other exhaust component replaced right away. Here are five of the most common symptoms.

• Loud Noises

Obviously, the number one symptom of a hole in the muffler is noise. Since a functioning muffler is supposed to reduce noise, a muffler with a hole in it will fail at its job. This means the noises that would normally be reduced will now be louder… much louder.

If you don’t replace the muffler soon, the hole will only expand and get bigger in the muffler. Then, these rumbling sounds will grow louder at the same time. Since working mufflers are required by law in most areas, you risk getting an expensive citation.

• Carbon Monoxide

The muffler prevents carbon monoxide from the exhaust gases to get into the interior cabin where everyone sits in the vehicle. But if the muffler has a hole in it, you have an exhaust leak where the carbon monoxide will be able to find its way into the cabin.

The scary thing is that you won’t be able to smell, see or taste this toxic gas. Instead, you will just feel the effects of it. Some of these effects include dizziness, headaches, tiredness, and trouble breathing. If you breathe it in for too long, it can lead to death.

• Emissions Test Failure

You cannot see carbon emissions when they come out of your tailpipe, but they are there. White smoke coming out of your exhaust doesn’t necessarily mean excess emissions. The only way to know if you’re producing fewer carbon emissions is to get an emissions test.

Most states require you to get these tests while some do not. If you happen to live in a state that requires you to get the test and then you end up failing it, this could be due to a hole in the muffler.

•  Rust Holes

Mufflers normally have small holes called “weep holes.” The purpose of these holes is to let water drain out of the muffler so that rust does not form. But if you see rust holes forming close to the exhaust pipes, these are not the weep holes. Anytime you see rust holes, you need to be worried.

• Engine Misfires

It is important for the entire exhaust system to be functional to ensure the engine runs smoothly. If just one component of the exhaust system is damaged or worn out, then it can cause an engine misfire. A hole in the muffler is one possible way your engine could misfire.