Found one of 2 bolts missing from threaded holes in exhaust pipe near the engine block.

[orreterr]

As title suggests I was having a look around my engine bay and noticed there was 2 threaded holes near the engine block with only 1 having a bolt in it.

There is quite a bit of soot around the area and when I started the car there was air coming from the hole without the bolt.

Recently I’ve noticed my fuel economy has decreased a good bit, is this possibly the cause of my issue. It doesn’t look like it’s been spewing exhaust for ages.

I guess the next question is how do I go about fixing this? Do I just throw a bolt in the threaded hole? Will it be detrimental if the bolt is long enough to sit in the exhaust pipe?

 

[orreterr]

Update:

Found this is a red back exhaust if that helps anyone

 

[Old.Tony]

Looks like an exhaust leak. I'd be taking it apart and checking the gasket, then making sure it's joined back up properly.