4 Signs You Need to Replace Your Flexi Pipe Right Now

If there is anything in your vehicle that looks, smells or sounds off, chances are that your flexi pipe needs to be replaced. Delaying this would only result in further damage to your car (which can be dangerous), as well as increase the total repair costs. 

If your flexi pipe is leaking, there are some signs that can indicate so. Turborevs has listed down a few symptoms below that you need to look out for, so you can get it replaced on time. 

What a Flexi Pipe Does

First, you need to realise the importance of this part in your car. 

Automotive exhaust pipes tend to heat up as exhaust gases are released from the tailpipe after they pass through the system. This is why they cannot be made of materials that would let them shift or bend. This is where flexi pipes come in — typically made from metal strips, they are able to withstand high temperatures and, thus, allow the exhaust system to be as flexible as needed. As a result, this prevents the system from breaking down.

Signs of a Broken Flexi Pipe

Excessive Noises

A crack in a flexi pipe can cause a range of loud noises, including hissing, tapping or roaring sounds. These will come from the rear end of your vehicle, and you may even hear your engine give an unusual growl when you start the engine. These sounds may become even more pronounced each time you accelerate the car.

Foul Smell of Raw Gasoline

If the flexi pipe in your car is leaking, you will most probably smell raw gasoline — or any kind of strong odour that was not there before — whenever you are driving your car. Be careful not to breathe this in, and roll down the windows as soon as you experience this. 

Hanging Exhaust Pipe

This is the most obvious sign that your flexi pipe is breaking down. It may be noticeably protruding from the underside of your vehicle, or you might be able to hear it scraping against the road while you are driving.

Loss of Fuel Efficiency, Power and Acceleration

Since a bad flexi pipe causes an exhaust leak, you will also experience significantly poor performance of your vehicle over time. This could be a decrease in power because of the loss of back pressure, or difficulty in accelerating as quickly as before. 

In a Nutshell

It is not always easy to tell when your flexi pipe needs to be replaced, but the above signs are definite indicators that you should be careful not to ignore for too long. In the beginning, you may only hear a slight exhaust leak when you turn on the ignition, which might eventually disappear in the next moment — thus, making it more crucial to take note of even the smallest changes in your car.

New pipes are not too expensive either, depending on the materials used. Just be sure to invest in quality flexi pipes so they can perform efficiently for a longer period of time.