1989 backfiring flooding will not start
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1989 backfiring flooding will not start
I have a 1989 2.8 v6 camaro multi port. It will not start. When I turn the key it backfires and floods. I have replaced the starter and distributor. I have tried to adjust the timing but it still does not start. When I drop the distributor in pointing at number one, I have tried 0 degrees and 10 degrees but it will still not start, it just backfires out the tailpipe mostly but also out the front. I am getting a mass air flow code. Any help people? Thanks.
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1989,
Welcome Aboard!
Your problem could be one of several things. A little more detail might be helpful. "Backfire" occurs when the fuel is burned back through the intake tract. "Afterfire" occurs when raw fuel is burned in the exhaust. By your description, you may be seeing both.
If the engine has flooded, you'll need to remove the spark plugs and install dry ones. Liquid fuel on the plug insulators will shunt the spark energy to ground without creating a spark in the chamber. Once you get the plugs out, crank the engine a few revolutions to help dispel any extra fuel from the cylinders before installing fresh plugs.
The initial problem may be a fuel system issue or an ignition system issue. Obviously, you are getting some spark, but whether it is in the correct cylinder at the correct time is in question. Make sure the firing order is correct, and if you have a distributor instead of coil packs, make sure the cap and rotor are in good condition so you aren't creating cross-firing of the cylinders. Test the plug wires for continuity to make sure the spark is getting to the plugs.
As for the fuel system, a pressure gauge would be helpful to check rail pressure and possible injector leakage. You can also remove teh vacuum line from the fuel pressure regulator to make sure teh regulator is not leaking internally and flooding the intake with raw fuel. I understand that the regulator can be a little more difficult to access on the V-6, but it's an important item to check.
Answer some of those questions/issues, and let us know what you find.
Welcome Aboard!
Your problem could be one of several things. A little more detail might be helpful. "Backfire" occurs when the fuel is burned back through the intake tract. "Afterfire" occurs when raw fuel is burned in the exhaust. By your description, you may be seeing both.
If the engine has flooded, you'll need to remove the spark plugs and install dry ones. Liquid fuel on the plug insulators will shunt the spark energy to ground without creating a spark in the chamber. Once you get the plugs out, crank the engine a few revolutions to help dispel any extra fuel from the cylinders before installing fresh plugs.
The initial problem may be a fuel system issue or an ignition system issue. Obviously, you are getting some spark, but whether it is in the correct cylinder at the correct time is in question. Make sure the firing order is correct, and if you have a distributor instead of coil packs, make sure the cap and rotor are in good condition so you aren't creating cross-firing of the cylinders. Test the plug wires for continuity to make sure the spark is getting to the plugs.
As for the fuel system, a pressure gauge would be helpful to check rail pressure and possible injector leakage. You can also remove teh vacuum line from the fuel pressure regulator to make sure teh regulator is not leaking internally and flooding the intake with raw fuel. I understand that the regulator can be a little more difficult to access on the V-6, but it's an important item to check.
Answer some of those questions/issues, and let us know what you find.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1989 backfiring flooding will not start
I checked my plugs and wires again to no avail. Could this be a bad lifter or bad cam shaft? Can you tell me how to disable the computer to set the timing? I heard that you have to disable the computer after dropping in the distributor to set the timing. A ny ideas?
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