How to repair your exhaust at home

If your exhaust has a small hole or crack, you might think that you need to replace the whole thing. If you’re confident with cars, you can fix the problem at home. In this guide, we’ll show you how you can diagnose an exhaust problem and how to do a DIY fix at home.

What are the signs that your exhaust may need repairing?

Your exhaust does the vital job of cleaning and expelling the emissions from your engine. There are lots of parts to your exhaust, some of which you can see and other you can’t. One of the main issues is problems with the back box, that’s that bit just behind the exhaust pipe.

Some of the common symptoms of a faulty exhaust pipe:

• Loud engine noise
• More smoke or emissions from your exhaust
• Headaches and dizziness while driving

Your entire exhaust system is tested and checked as part of your MOT. MOT testers will ensure that the exhaust system is safe and working well and that emissions are within legal limits. If your exhaust if faulty or damaged, it won’t pass.

If you’re worried about the condition and safety of your car’s exhaust, book a free exhaust and catalytic converter check at Halfords.

What are the consequences of a faulty exhaust pipe?

The most obvious consequence of a faulty exhaust is your car failing its MOT.

For an exhaust system to be given the all-clear by MOT testers, it must:

• be free from serious leaks and corrosion
• be securely fixed to the vehicle
• have the right number of silencers for the make and model

A damaged exhaust system could release more emissions, making things unpleasant for you, your passengers and pedestrians. A louder than normal exhaust can be annoying, intrusive and can be disruptive to neighbours.

A faulty exhaust is unsafe and could cause serious problems, so never ignore it.

How can you repair your exhaust at home?

If you spot a crack or small hole in your exhaust you may be worried it will be a costly repair and you’d be right.

If your exhaust crack, split or damage isn’t serious, you could save yourself both time and money by fixing it at home, using the Holts Gun Gum exhaust repair products. Gun Gum products are easy to use, trusted by professional mechanics and will guarantee that your repaired exhaust meets MOT standards.

Gun Gum exhaust repair products can provide a short-term fix for your exhaust, enabling you to pass your MOT and continue to drive safely.

How do the Gun Gum exhaust repair products work?

Holes can develop on different parts of your exhaust, so the Gun Gum range contains specific products for different areas of your exhaust.

There are a variety of Gun Gum bandages for different parts of the exhaust system, including ends or bends. When you use these with the Gun Gum exhaust paste it creates a permanent, gas tight seal that will fix the problems ahead of your MOT. The products are safe, affordable and easy to use. A complete set costs a lot less than a replacement exhaust.

You don’t need any special tools to perform a Gun Gum repair and you don’t need to take the exhaust apart. All you need is the ultimate exhaust repair kit: the Gun Gum Exhaust System Repair Paste and the right bandage.

What Gun Gum product should you use?

It’s important to use the right bandage with the paste, so we’ve made it easy for you to pick the right products based on the dimensions of your exhaust pipe and where the crack or hole is. Just have a look at the table below.

How do you apply a Gun Gum product?

Follow the steps below to apply your chosen Gun Gum products:

• Step 1: Wait for your car to cool down and then locate the hole or crack on your car’s exhaust. Clear any debris from the area.
• Step 2: Wearing protective gloves, apply a thin layer of Gun Gum Exhaust System Repair Paste to the damaged area with the included spatula.
• Step 3: Fit the correct bandage, following the instructions on the packaging. Seal it with more paste.
• Step 4: Wait for the paste to dry overnight. You can also speed up the drying process by running the engine.

It’s important to check your repair and make sure that’s it’s sealed and safe before driving.

Buy Gun Gum exhaust repair products at Halfords

Halford’s stocks the UK’s most comprehensive range of Gun Gum products at the best prices. Shop online today and collect in store or arrange for delivery. Whatever the problem with your car, we’ll get you back on the road as soon as possible.

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