Last summer (maybe end of summer before) my car started to backfire on a cold start & once warmed up go away. Last summer my cat went so it was gutted. Could my backfiring be caused from a broken cat and still continue to backfire because my cat is now removed?

 

Are you sure it is a true backfire and not just a loud poping? When you remove the car it is very normal to hear poping sounds.

 

how loud is popping vs backfiring? The noise I'm getting, in my inexperienced opinion, could be a popping (not too loud, but just loud enough for maybe people to go hummm, what was that noise) to every once in awhile a super duper loud bang/pop (making people say what the hell is wrong with her car) This super duper loud noise doesn't happen often-maybe once, twice a week but does scare the living bejes?s out of me. My dad says that the noise is definetly coming out towards the back end of the car.

 

When you hear the poping does the car stumble or lose power? Does it only happen when you lift off of the gas or does it do it when you are cruising? If it only happens when you lift off the accelerator than chances are there is nothing wrong and you are just hearing noises that the cat dampens out. If the motor stumbles or hickups than it could very well be a backfire. Have you checked your timing lately?

 

Nope, I don't lose power when I hear the poping. For some reason, I thought the timing didn't have to be checked until around 100,000kms. (I've just rolled 90,000km) Opps, am I wrong? Is it expensive to get the timing check?

It's funny you mention losing power, once in a while, when I pull out of my driveway onto the road, the car kinda bogs down (not sure if that's the right lingo) then it'll take off and everything is okey dokey. This doesn't happen all the time. Is it possible that I'm flooding it?

Thank you ever so much for your help

 

Timing should be checked during regular maintenance intervals or if you suspect it has changed. It almost sounds like you have a timing problem so I would suggest checking it. A local shop should be able to check it for you. However, make sure that they check it correctly since a lot of shops don't. It is easy to check yourself though and you can have a reading in a matter of minutes. Try a search or two or get you hands on a repair manual for your car to show you the proper way of checking the timing.

 

Thank you-I'll be starting the search on that tonight

 

yea. After doing a search on how to check your timing, I'm defintely leaving it up to the garage What should I get done if I'm going in for a tune-up and what can I tell the garage on checking the timing to make sure they do it correctly?

 

If you read up on the timing procedures just make note of hoe they do it. A lot of "techs" just unbolt and dissy and adjust without unplugging the EST/plugging the vacuum. They should be able to provide a normal tune up for you. They need to replace the plugs, check the resistance of the wires, inspect the cap coil and rotor (often times the cap and rotor should be replaced). If your car has an 02 sensor than it needsto be replaced as well. I only threw up the caution flag after seeing you were in Novia Scocia. Shops up there may not work on chevy's too often.

 

Yup, a HUGE red flag should go up!!! When I first got my car I took it to the dealer to get a squeak in the brakes checked out and I could now write a book on the horrible service I received-I will spare you the details I am now going to a local garage that was recommended by a reputable performance store. Generally, either the garage owner or the owner of a third gen works on my car. I've had great luck with them since I switched. It's hard living in a small town in a small province and being a girl. Since it's sooooo easy to be ripped off at the garage, I'm glad that there are nice people on great sites like this to help out