Exhaust System
Symptom Chart(s)
Symptom Chart: Symptom Chart - Exhaust System
Verify the customer concern. Inspect the components of the exhaust system for obvious signs of damage or other mechanical concerns using the following chart.
Visual Inspection Chart - Mechanical
Mechanical
Exhaust pipe pinched or crushed Damaged muffler and tailpipe Broken or damaged exhaust hanger brackets Damaged catalytic converters Loose or damaged heat shields
Verify the exhaust system is installed correctly, with clamps correctly located and tightened to specifications. If the fault is not visually evident, determine the symptom. GO to Symptom Chart below.
Symptom Chart
Condition | Possible Sources | Actions |
|---|---|---|
Vehicle has low or no power — vehicle performance complaint | Exhaust pipe pinched or crushed Damaged catalytic converters Loose obstruction in exhaust | REFER to the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual. |
Restricted exhaust (possible frozen condensate in muffler) | CHECK drain holes for foreign material. PARK the vehicle inside to thaw. TEST the vehicle for normal operation. If the concern is still present, REFER to the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual. | |
Burning smell — usually occurs at idle, with possible traces of smoke | Foreign material caught in exhaust system Missing heat shields | INSPECT the exhaust system for foreign material or missing heat shields. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. |
Odor — described as a sulfur or rotten egg smell | Catalytic converters Excessive sulfur content in fuel | At times, a slight sulfur smell is normal for catalytic converters. The cause is the sulfur content in the gasoline being used. ADVISE the customer no repair is required. |
2016 Mustang workshop publication supplied to Mustang Atlas. Original technical text and illustrations; HTML formatting by Mustang Atlas. Source page numbering is retained for traceability. Follow the configuration, revision, warnings, and cross-references in the material. About this edition.