Exhaust Repairs in Tyne and Wear

An exhaust carries hot gases from the engine to the rear of the car, quietening them and treating them along the way. Over time, moisture inside the pipes and road salt outside take their toll, and joints, flanges and mountings work loose.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we inspect the exhaust on a ramp and tell you whether a repair is realistic. If the metal is too far gone, we say so, and discuss replacement instead.

Signs of an exhaust problem

Exhaust faults are usually easy to hear. The danger is leaving them, since exhaust gases are harmful and should never leak into the cabin.

• A loud rasping or blowing noise, especially on acceleration
• A rattle from underneath, often a loose heat shield or broken mounting
• A hanging or dragging section of pipe
• Fumes or an exhaust smell inside the car
• Visible rust holes or black soot marks around joints

What a repair involves

Typical repairs include replacing a rubber hanger or mounting, refitting a loose heat shield, renewing a gasket at a flange, and sealing or sleeving a small section. Where a pipe has failed at one point, a section can sometimes be cut out and a new piece joined in.

Repairs only work where the surrounding metal is solid. Welding or patching onto thin, rusty metal rarely lasts. We look at the whole system, not just the hole you can see.

What affects repair or replace

The condition of the whole system decides it. One failed mounting on an otherwise good exhaust is a simple fix. Several weak areas, or rust throughout, usually make a new section or full system better value.

Parts such as the catalytic converter or particulate filter are covered separately, and some leaks are not in the pipework at all but at the manifold. We explain which part is involved and what we recommend at the estimate.

Before and after the repair

If you smell fumes in the car, open the windows and have the exhaust looked at promptly. A leak before the catalytic converter or near the engine can also affect how the engine runs.

An exhaust that is too loud or leaking can fail an MOT, so check the current rules if you have a test coming up. Ask us to point out any other weak areas while the car is on the ramp.