car exhaust

[doorknob]

If you damage the exhaust does this affect the power of the car and if so why? (by damage I don't mean blockage).

I can't think of a scientific reason why it should but a colleague swears blind it does.

[andy hughes]

I'm no expert, but the concept is - a car exhaust provides a certain 'back pressure' which assists the correct running of the engine. If the exhaust is damaged, exhaust fumes escape from the incorrect part of the exhaust, and 'back pressure' is reduced, which affects the optimum running of the engine. the damage is to your fuel consumption, which rises, and the wear and tear on the engine, which overworks to compensate for the loss of pressure, and the performance - your car will not operate as efficiently with this 'gap' in the engine process.