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Backfire

There are a few possible causes for an engine to backfire (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-backfiring-inspection). Some of the more common causes are a vacuum leak, lean condition caused by a weak fuel pump, an exhaust manifold leak, or a faulty ignition system. With...

Hi there. Assuming the backfiring was taking place prior to replacing the spark plugs and spark plug wires. This would lead me to believe there is a valve train related issue. Possibly, a broken intake valve spring. This would account...

Hi there. The issue seems to have a misfire with the spark plugs and wires. The smoke that is coming out of the breather on the intake or valve covers is caused by the fuel burning on the exhaust stroke....

Hello - the first task is to check for the problem codes which are setting the Check Engine light. This may be helpful in identifying the initial problem as well as the current problem(s). Usually, backfiring (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/car-backfiring-and-spitting) in the intake...

Hi there. Check the engine's camshaft position sensor and the Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF). The camshaft position sensor could be damaged or burned up to cause the engine to backfire and stall out. The MAF sensor could be dirty...

Hello - backfiring and loss of power (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/car-backfiring-and-spitting) are usually symptoms of a lean mixture, often caused by unmetered air leaks in the intake system. This could be caused by a leaking air hose, or stuck EGR valve. Check for...

Hi there. If there is a smell of fuel in the engine compartment, then the fuel injector o-rings are not sealing and causing the smell of fuel to vapor out. The backfire event is caused by the ignition either being...

Hi there - this is highly unusual behavior, and should be checked out immediately. Check for problem codes, even if the Check Engine light is not yet on. This is a misfire condition due to an over-rich condition (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/car-backfires), possibly...

Hi there: Backfires occur for various reasons ranging from a cracked distributor cap allowing moisture inside ignition system components to fuel system issues caused by dirty or damaged sensors, crankshaft position sensor that throws off ignition timing or other items....

If you were working around the distributor and loosened and re-tightened it you might have set the timing wrong. Specifically, delayed or retarded timing causes backfiring as the spark occurs too late and so part of the air fuel charge...

Installing a radio should not cause any issues unless you knocked something loose in the engine compartment. Double check any areas you worked on to make sure nothing got dislodged. Scan the computer for codes and double check the air...

Hi there. Check the camshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement) and see if it has failed. Usually the engine will start and run with a partial failed camshaft sensor, however, when the sensor has failed completely and lost communication to the computer,...

Hello. I would typically start by doing a compression test of the engine. If the compression is low then there is a timing chain issue. If the compression is fine then you may have an issue with the ignition timing...

Hello - backfiring (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/car-backfiring-and-spitting) can be caused both by timing issues, as well as air leaks (unmetered air) into the intake. I would first have the timing set (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/adjust-ignition-timing) to be sure it is correct - since there is some...

Hi there. It seems that there could be a head gasket or intake manifold gasket is leaking causing coolant to enter the combustion chamber make the white smoke and the engine to have a popping noise. Also, since you have...

Hello There, This is quite likely a sign of a failing or clogged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this...

Backfiring through the exhaust (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-causes-a-car-to-backfire) generates sudden high-pressure events in the exhaust system that can do serious damage if left unchecked. Request a backfiring inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-backfiring-inspection) by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Among the causes of backfiring is...

Hi there. What could be happening is the engine has either a large vacuum leak or the timing chain (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/timing-chain-replacement) has skipped a tooth making a camshaft out of adjustment. First look all over the engine for any possible vacuum...

Hi there. There is a timing problem with your engine. Check the vacuum advance to see if its advancing when the engine is at a higher rpm. Also check the spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) and wires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-cable-spark-plug-wires-replacement) for if they are...

Depending on the sound and the location of the sound, this may be related to a misfire/backfiring problem. Engine backfire is caused by an imbalance in the air/fuel ratio being supplied to the motor and will occur in one of...