How do exhaust leaks affect engine performance?

[Baldwin]

Will a leak in an exhaust system help or hinder the performance of an engine? Is the answer to this question dependant on the location (i.e. manifold, exhaust pipe, muffler, etc) and the size of the leak?

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[navylife59]

Exhaust leaks any where near O2 sensors (before or after) can give false readings to the ECM thus giving poor performance. Minor exhaust leaks elsewhere usually only precipitate as annoying sounds and do not effect performance. Large leaks, however, can reduce the backpressure enough to alter tuning and can also cause disruption of smooth gas flow.

[Turbo_TC05]

Exhaust leaks can lead to fowling out o2 sensors, if not fowling them out cause your car to read lean or rich costing you more in fuel. Now if the exhaust leak is on the exhaust manifold it can actually burn the exhaust valves on the engine.

[mark_hou]

exhaust leak = poor performance

[acaimaxcleansecanada]

if the exhaust leak is on the exhaust manifold it can actually burn the exhaust valves on the engine. Acai Max Cleanse