Engine Backfire

SHAZ

MEMBER
HONDA ACCORD

1991 Honda Accord LX mileage: 98,900. My car started backfiring on me when I was driving it. It would only backfire when I started to drive, but when I rev the engine when I'm not moving the car does not backfire. When I got back to my house I looked under the car and noticed that the catalytic converter was red. The car has new spark plug wires. Also took out the spark plug from the first cylinder and noticed that it looked like it was burned/charred. Thanks for the help.

4 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Have you checked the timing of the car? Have you noticed a lack of power to the vehicle as well and a loss of economy?

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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 9:45 AM

SHAZ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for your reply. Yes, the car is very weak on take off. It was near 4k rpm and was still extremely weak. Also the engine shakes a little.

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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 2:03 PM

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

I doubt that the black on the plug is oily but it is likely sooty which indicates that the engine is running rich. You could check the timing, but first check the PCV and the EGR valve. The EGR can be cleaned.

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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 4:23 PM

PCHOMINSKI

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17 POSTS

Stuck or pluged EGR will not cause rich mixture.
I would suspect timing - not only ignition, but cam shaft versus crank shaft. Maybe timing belt jumped.

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Thursday, May 10th, 2007 AT 8:58 PM