Leaks, rattles, catalytic converters and oxygen sensors checked and fixed
Exhaust repair at Alan Cox Premier Auto Care keeps your car quiet, safe to breathe in, and ready for its yearly emissions inspection. We repair exhaust leaks, rattles, catalytic converter problems and oxygen sensor faults on most domestic and import models, including Hondas, Toyotas, Acuras, Lexus vehicles, Fords and hybrids.
We have served Marietta since 1983. Our ASE Certified technicians work in a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, and qualifying repairs carry a 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty. If you drive in from the Marietta Square area or along the Cobb Corridor, we will show you what we find under the car and explain your options in plain language.
How do I know if I need exhaust repair?
The most common signs you need exhaust repair are a louder engine, a rumble or roar that gets worse when you accelerate, a rattle from under the car, a ticking noise near the engine, or the smell of exhaust inside the cabin. A check engine light can also point to an exhaust problem.
Your exhaust system carries hot gases from the engine, through the catalytic converter, muffler and pipes, and out the tailpipe. Along the way it cuts harmful emissions, quiets the engine, and reports to the engine computer through oxygen sensors. These parts heat up and cool down on every drive and take hits from metro Atlanta potholes and speed bumps.
Why is my exhaust rattling under the car?
A rattle under the car, especially at idle or at one engine speed, is very often a loose heat shield. Heat shields are thin metal covers that protect the floor and nearby parts from exhaust heat. Their clamps and welds rust over time, and the shield starts to buzz or rattle against the pipe.
A heat shield is usually a simple exhaust repair, and the shield should go back on, since it protects the floor and anything you park over, like dry grass. A rattle can also come from a broken hanger, a loose clamp, or a catalytic converter whose insides have broken apart.
Expert tip: If you hear a rattle, check whether it happens while parked. A rattle you can make by gently revving in Park points to the exhaust or heat shields, while one that happens only over bumps often points to worn suspension parts and a suspension repair check.
An exhaust leak is a safety problem that needs exhaust repair soon
An exhaust leak can let carbon monoxide into the cabin. Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea, and high levels can be deadly. If you smell exhaust inside the car or feel unwell while driving, open the windows and have the exhaust system checked as soon as possible.
Carbon monoxide itself is odorless, so the exhaust smell you notice comes from other gases traveling with it. Leaks near the engine, such as a cracked exhaust manifold or a failed gasket, often tick loudest on a cold start and quiet down as the metal expands. Leaks can also fool oxygen sensors by letting in outside air.
Expert tip: Never let a car idle in a closed garage, even for a minute. If your exhaust is loud or you smell fumes, avoid long idling with the windows up until we check it.
What are the signs of a bad catalytic converter?
Common signs of a failing catalytic converter are a rotten-egg or sulfur smell, sluggish acceleration, a rattle from broken internals, poor fuel economy, and a check engine light, often with an efficiency code. A badly clogged converter can make the engine feel like it is choking under load.
A converter usually fails because of something upstream, such as an engine misfire, a leaking head gasket, or an engine burning oil. Unburned fuel and oil overheat and coat it, so our exhaust repair looks for that cause before replacing a converter. Our engine diagnostics find that root cause first.
Is my hybrid a target for catalytic converter theft?
Catalytic converters are stolen because they contain valuable metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium. Hybrids such as the Toyota Prius are common targets, because their converters see less use and often stay in better condition. Trucks and SUVs with high ground clearance are also easy for thieves to get under.
If your car suddenly sounds very loud when you start it, look underneath for a cut section of pipe. File a police report and call your insurance company, since many comprehensive policies cover theft. Replacing a stolen converter often means repairing cut pipes too, and our hybrid repair experience covers what these vehicles need.
Oxygen sensors tie your exhaust to your emissions inspection
Oxygen sensors measure how much oxygen is left in the exhaust, and the engine computer uses that reading to adjust the fuel mixture. A sensor after the catalytic converter checks that the converter is working. A failing sensor can hurt fuel economy, trigger a check engine light, and cause an emissions inspection failure.
In Cobb County, most gas cars and light trucks need a yearly emissions inspection, and a lit check engine light fails it. Clearing the code right before the test will not help, because the car’s self-tests have to finish running before it can pass. Our check engine light diagnostics find the actual fault.
Expert tip: If your check engine light comes on within a month or two of your emissions inspection due date, get it checked right away. Repairs plus the driving needed to complete the car’s self-tests can take several days.
Exhaust repair cost in Marietta depends on the part and the rust
Exhaust repair cost depends on which part failed, where it sits, and how much rust is involved. A loose heat shield or broken hanger is a small job, while a catalytic converter or exhaust manifold is a bigger one. Your vehicle and parts availability matter too. We give you a clear estimate before any work starts.
On an older car, a rusted bolt can snap, and the pipe next to the failed part may be too thin to connect to. At Alan Cox Premier Auto Care, we look at the whole system, tell you up front if nearby parts are close to failing, and check why the part failed so new parts last.
Where can I get exhaust repair near me in Marietta?
Alan Cox Premier Auto Care is at 1326 Cobb Parkway North, Marietta, GA. Call (770) 427-1745 to schedule. We are open Monday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
If you want to stay while we look at your car, our waiting area has free Wi-Fi and a private work area for your laptop. For longer repairs, our shuttle service can get you where you need to go. Drivers from Westoak count on us, and qualifying repairs are backed by our 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty. Call or contact us today to schedule exhaust repair.