What causes a backfire when starting?
A backfire is caused by a combustion or explosion that occurs when unburnt fuel in the exhaust system is ignited, even if there is no flame in the exhaust pipe itself. Sometimes a flame can be seen when a car backfires, but mostly you will only hear a loud popping noise, followed by loss of power and forward motion.
Why does my car backfire sometimes?
An engine backfire occurs whenever the air-fuel mixture in your car combusts somewhere outside the engine’s cylinders. This can cause damage to your car’s exhaust or intake if left unchecked — and it also means that your car’s engine isn’t making as much power as it should, and is wasting lots of fuel.
What causes a car engine to backfire when under load?
This detection is done by looking for a flat back shoot which is evidence of a leak. On engines made from about 2001 and older are equipped with a air injection system that is fed into the exhaust system when the engine is under load. This is to burn unspent fuel which helps the emission system work better.
How can I tell if my engine is having a backfire?
Valve issues may also involve poor fuel economy, rough idle, stalling, high oil consumption, hard starting, and exhaust smoke. Valve problems of these type tend to create a more consistent backfire condition. You may diagnose valve problems at home with the use of a compression gauge or a vacuum gauge.
Can a bad sensor cause an engine to backfire?
An engine sensor malfunction can also lead to backfires. Take for example a bad mass air flow (MAF) sensor. The engine computer uses this and other sensors to compute the amount of fuel to inject into the engine according to operating conditions.
How to diagnose engine backfires with axleaddict?
Car owners usually forget to check the ignition system at the recommended manufacturer schedule. If necessary, consult your car owner’s manual or repair manual. Even if your Check Engine Light is not lit on your instrument panel, scan for possible pending diagnostic trouble codes that can guide you in your diagnostic. II. Injection System Problems