Engine backfiring

[IEATVETS]

The other day I was driving my car and it started to sound really funny. It sounded like if you are in to high of a gear and you give the car lots of gas. It makes a chugging sound. Well tonight, I took it for a little spin and that sound is still there but now when I get into the throttle a little, it backfires as well!! Any ideas? I did purchase a warranty(THANK GOD) and will be calling John at Roanoke Motors tomorrow to have them come pick the car up. Has anybody else heard of this or had it happen to them? The car sounds like an absolute P.O.S. and is actually not fun to drive. Good thing winter is just about here I have some time before it is back on the road. Help!!

 

[Blade Runner]

Check to see if a plug wire has come lose. This happen to me and my car acted the same way.

 

[Joseph Dell]

What he said. If the plug wires are all connected, check your plugs themselves... it is possible that one is not firing or that one is fouled up pretty badly.

Most of the time, though, this is a plug wire being dis-connected. If you haven't ever repalced the plug wires on the car, this might be a good time too.

good luck!

JD

 

[Tom86ZT]

Or if you have recently replaced the plug wires, check to make sure the right spot on the coil is going to the right plug.

 

[IEATVETS]

I replaced the plugs and wires about a year ago. I too, was thinking that a wire had come loose so the other night I checked all of them to make sure they were securely on the plug. They were. I took off the vent panel and made sure they were all connected behind the motor. They were. I didn't take out the plugs to check them, I may do that this weekend. In the meantime, I am making plans to take it to Roanoke Motors for service. Thanx for the input guys.

 

[Buckeye Viper]

Plug, Wires or bad gas.

 

[KWIK96]

I was having similar problems with my 96 RT.
It was really weird. The car started to miss at around 1900 rpm and also at around 2900 rpm. Also lots of backfiring. Checked all of the above, and was ready to take it to WCV. The car was due for an oil change, so I did that and while it was on blocks I thought I would clean the IAC, as I had heard so much greif about this unit on this board. So I pulled it apart and found it to be rather filthy, and it even had built up deposits around what I would describe as the Needle and Seat area. Got it all back together fully prepared for the trip to WCV but no need. The car has not missed a beat since!
Go figure that one, with the specific rev ranges,etc. So maybe, this could be causing your problem. Good luck and I hope you get that baby fixed.

 

[IEATVETS]

Just got back from taking it to a dealer about 50 miles away. I doubled checked everything before I took it in and it all appeared to be normal. Will be interesting to find out what is wrong with it. I will tell you guys something that is embarrassing as all hell. I was afraid to pass cars on a 2 lane highway. The car did not have any power. It felt like I was driving a yugo!! Not that I know what that is like. Can't wait to find out what is wrong with it.

 

[SNKEBIT]

it's deathly afraid of you puttin' a Roe on it......
so be nice to yer car, give the Roe to me.
My car loves to get beat!!!!

 

[IEATVETS]

OK guys, here is what the tech told me today. He first said that one of the plug wires MAY have been loose but not sure. Then he said the cold temperature had a lot to do with it also. Plus, I had roller rockers installed about 2 months ago and supposedly 2 of them needed adjusting and that was what was causing the backfiring and the car running like crap. Was that a line or what?

 

[carguy07]

I think that could do it.

 

[DrumrBoy]

Indeed, it could... and that's probably got it.

If it happens again, consider condensation. Given the extremely damp weather we've had the past week (before yesterday plummeting into the teens) condensation moisture could be affecting the plug-to-wire connection.

Usually, it burns off if you can get the thing started and running, which you apparently did so condensation is not likely the culprit. Three days ago an older ride of mine succumbed to the evil condensation Gods so I thought I'd mention.

 

[IEATVETS]

I will find out tomorrow when I pick the car up. Of course now it is supposed to snow a couple of inches so dont know how I will be getting it back to Madison. Will have to find somebody with an enclosed trailer to pick it up or I will have to rent one. Kind of strange how the tech said a plug wire may have been loose, I checked the things 2 times before I even called them. We'll see.

 

[SNKEBIT]

I'm tellin' ya,,, yer widdle car is askeered of the "ROE"!!!!!!

send it to me......

 

[MadMaxx]

Cracked boot/foweled plug.
Look at the engine at night/dark, see if you can pick up any stray arcing. Also, you can test for "fire" in each of the wires individually. Paperclip in the boot, have someone crank the car over (with the fuel pump fuse removed). You should get nice clean blue spark. If it's yellow, then you could have a bad wire of failing coil (doubt it's the coil). If the wires are all good, check the plugs themselves for a cracked electrode or fowling.

Other than that, badly out of sync throttle bodies will cause some issues at speed. Have you sync'd them lately?

Also, any SES codes being thrown?