Intake manifold backfire

1992 HONDA ACCORD
140,000 MILES • 2.2L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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HONDACAINE
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Car ran for fifteen minutes after it sat for three months. Stalled at a sign and would not start back up. Now it backfires through the intake manifold. Cranks fine but catches on every fourth compression cycle. The compression is weirdly high, 175 psi on my gauge. Any thoughts?
Oct 30, 2018 at 9:20 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good evening.

Is the compression the same on all four cylinders?

Backfiring comes from spark at the wrong time. Did you remove the cap and rotor and inspect for carbon tracking in the cap?

Also, make sure the plugs and wires are in good shape and not leaking electric anywhere but to the plugs.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-backfires-while-running
Oct 30, 2018 at 9:28 AM
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HONDACAINE
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The compression was 175 for all four cylinders. All the contacts looked clean when I took it apart, and the wires are fairly new. I just bought the car for my girlfriend. It has a light oil leak as I saw oil on the plugs when I cleaned them. Thanks for the fast response.
Oct 30, 2018 at 9:35 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, look closer inside the cap for a black line connecting the copper leads. Common issue for back fires.

Also, a broken valve spring will do this as well.

Roy
Oct 30, 2018 at 9:37 AM
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HONDACAINE
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I will look tomorrow since it is dark now. Thanks for the advice.
Oct 30, 2018 at 9:47 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.
Oct 30, 2018 at 10:42 AM
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HONDACAINE
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Replaced the distributor, runs rough for a few seconds and stalls. After a few tries I revved it to 2,500 rpm's before it choked out.
Nov 2, 2018 at 10:31 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Why did you replace the distributor?

Did you have this issue prior to the replacement?

Roy
Nov 2, 2018 at 12:23 PM
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HONDACAINE
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Friend had one handy. And before the new one it did not run at all.
Nov 2, 2018 at 12:25 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Okay, it sounds like a used distributor. The fact that you can only install it one way tells me that may be the issue.

I would get a rebuilt one and start from there.

Roy
Nov 3, 2018 at 8:32 AM
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