Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

can vaccume leaks cause backfire?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-18-2003, 12:08 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
IceBlue91z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
can vaccume leaks cause backfire?

My car has been backfireing lately after hard acceleration and I have absolutely no idea why. I replaced every ignition compunent, fuel filter, and even throttle position sensor and still nothing. I stopped all exhaust leaks and still nothing. I dont think my timing is off because my car runs pretty much perfect so i have no clue what is wrong. I believe vaccume leaks can cause this but where would my vaccume system leak to cause backfire and how?
Old 01-18-2003, 12:55 AM
  #2  
Supreme Member
 
Morley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,099
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Sure can. With a large vacuum leak you'll be running very lean and get a "lean backfire".
Old 01-18-2003, 08:44 AM
  #3  
Moderator

 
Vader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 19,349
Received 216 Likes on 177 Posts
As usual, Morley is right. Any vacuum leak can contribute to backfire. Beyond the normal suspects like gaskets and hoses, you should also check the PCV system, brake booster, and EGR.

It's also possible that the mixture is lean after deceleration and the chambers are hot. Another reason to check the EGR system. You might also want to test the output voltage of the MAP sensor to make sure the ECM is getting a true picture of what's happening. A resistive connection will send a lower voltage signal from the MAP to the ECM, which will interpret that as a lower absolute pressure (higher vacuum) and trim back the fuel pulses.
Old 01-18-2003, 09:57 AM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
IceBlue91z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Thanks guys. Im going to check all that stuff today and maybe get a new MAP and see what happens.
Old 01-18-2003, 09:05 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (9)
 
BOTTLEDZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Mass
Posts: 3,871
Received 24 Likes on 14 Posts
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Originally posted by Vader
You might also want to test the output voltage of the MAP sensor to make sure the ECM is getting a true picture of what's happening. A resistive connection will send a lower voltage signal from the MAP to the ECM, which will interpret that as a lower absolute pressure (higher vacuum) and trim back the fuel pulses.
Vader what would be the correct voltage for the MAP sensor? 12V? also out of the 3 wires onit which one gets read
Old 01-19-2003, 12:07 AM
  #6  
Member
Thread Starter
 
IceBlue91z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
How would I go about finding a vaccume leak if I even have one? Theres so many hoses to check i dont know where to start. I have seriously tried everything to stop this backfire and I have no idea what is causing it. It just sort of started to happen one day and hasnt stopped since.
Old 01-19-2003, 01:41 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member
 
Morley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,099
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally posted by IceBlue91z28
How would I go about finding a vaccume leak if I even have one? Theres so many hoses to check i dont know where to start. I have seriously tried everything to stop this backfire and I have no idea what is causing it. It just sort of started to happen one day and hasnt stopped since.
From your name we'll assume you have a TPI engine? Not so many hoses there. First, check all of the hard plastic vacuum lines, these are prone to cracking and breaking from heat and vibration, make sure they are all connected by their rubber couplers. Start in one place, like the vapor canister and slowly work your way around the enginebay, checking all the rubber hoses and any plastic parts they connect to especially. Also check your PCV valve and breather line on the opposite side.
Next, get a can of starting fluid (or even carb cleaner) and start the engine, carefully spray the fluid along the runners and intake manifold and EGR valve (use the straw), if the RPM changes when doing this, you found your leak.
Old 01-19-2003, 10:25 AM
  #8  
Member

 
90Formula-X-F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Sacramento,Ca.
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 90 Formula
Engine: 355 C.I.
Transmission: 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Be looking for a diverter ( air management ) valve problem from the smog pump. It's more than likely dumping air into your headers causing it to detonate unburnt fuel. Cause could be anything from vacume hose or hoses off the valving to bad valve, bad check valves and even engine temp being read from the computer incorectly never sending the car into closed loop.

I would recomend disconecting the hoses that lead to the check valves. see if it is dumping into the headers at idle. is exhaust coming back up through the valves ? More than likely you'll find that a check valve has burn't out and let hot exhaust into the air management valve and messed it up. If so replace all the older check valves and the air management valve.Good luck....
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RS Reaper
Electronics
4
10-17-2018 07:52 PM
Reid Fleming
TPI
2
10-10-2015 09:56 PM
racereese
Tech / General Engine
14
10-03-2015 03:46 PM
aaron7
Interior
1
09-30-2015 09:15 AM
mfp189
Transmissions and Drivetrain
1
09-27-2015 09:25 AM



Quick Reply: can vaccume leaks cause backfire?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:14 AM.