An engine backfire is the main reason for the vehicle exhaust roaring louder. The exhaust system of a car or a bike mainly compresses the sound of the exhaust gas but if the engine backfires then the exhaust system can’t control the sound. Here in this article, I will describe how an engine backfires.
Engine backfires–
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| Engine backfires. |
An engine backfire means when the ignition of the fresh charge occurs outside of the engine cylinders. Engine backfires are worth paying attention to since they can cause engine damage, power loss, and decrease fuel efficiency.
An engine backfire sounds like loud popping or banging sounds, and can sometimes cause flames to shoot out of the engine or exhaust system. Backfiring can be harmful to your engine and can cause damage to the exhaust system or even start a fire. Backfires are typically caused by improper combustion of air/fuel mixture. Other possible causes of engine backfires are-
Ignition timing off-
Ignition timing refers to the precise timing when the combustion happens inside the engine cylinders. If the timing is off, advanced, or returned then the engine backfires will happen. An incorrect ignition timing can also cause a loss of power, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions.
If the ignition is advanced then the spark plug will fire the fresh charge early and the exhaust valve will remain open. On the other hand, if the ignition is retarded, then the spark plug will fire late and the exhaust valve will remain open. This can cause a backfire through the exhaust system.
The spark plug of the wrong heat range-
The heat range of a spark plug refers to the heat absorbing power after the blast in an internal combustion engine. If the heat range of the spark plug is incorrect, either too hot or too cold, it can cause the engine backfire.
If the spark plug range is too hot, then the spark plug causes pre-ignition, which can cause damage to the engine. If the pre-ignition happens then the unburned fuel will go out through the exhaust. This can create a backfire through the intake or exhaust system, depending on when the pre-ignition occurs.
On the other hand, if the spark plug range is too cold, then it causes fouling(misfire). Fouling cans, reduced power, and poor fuel economy. If a fouled spark plug fires, it can cause an engine to backfire through the exhaust system.
Rich or lean mixture–
A rich or lean mixture can cause the engine to backfire. A rich mixture contains more fuel compared to the stoichiometric ratio. If the mixture is too rich, the unburned fuel in the exhaust system can ignite when it reaches the hot muffler, catalytic converter, or exhaust pipes. This can cause a loud backfire through the exhaust system.
On the other hand, if the mixture is lean then the fuel contained in the mixture is less fuel than the stoichiometric mixture. A lean fuel mixture contains less fuel than the ideal ratio of fuel to air. If the mixture is too lean, there may be hot spots in the combustion chamber, which can cause the air/fuel mixture to ignite prematurely, resulting in a backfire through the intake system.
Overheating of the engine-
An engine overheats for different reasons. If an engine overheats then it will perform several problems. High engine temperatures can cause pre-ignition. This can create a backfire through the intake or exhaust system, depending on when the pre-ignition occurs.
Overheating can cause other engine problems, such as warped or cracked cylinder heads, which can also lead to misfires and backfires. Compression leaks are also the main reason for backfires. when the engine overheats the compression of the engine gas leaks. The compression leaks can allow air/fuel mixture to escape the combustion chamber, which can cause misfires and backfires through the intake system.
Valve sticking-
The valve is a component in an engine that opens the gate for passing the fresh charge into the cylinder and helps the exhaust gas to escape. A sticking valve can lead to a backfire in an engine.
If the intake valve is sticking, then the valve will not open at the correct time, which can disrupt the air/fuel mixture and cause a lean condition. This lean condition can cause the engine to backfire.
On the other hand, if the exhaust valve is sticking, it may not close fully or at the correct time, which can cause a rich condition. A rich condition can lead to backfires through the exhaust system.
Cracked distributor cap-
A cracked distributor cap can cause an engine to backfire by allowing moisture to the spark plug during the firing order. This can lead to misfires, backfires, and a rough-running engine. Additionally, the high-voltage electrical current can arc across the crack in the distributor cap, which can cause a loud popping or cracking sound, similar to an engine backfire.
The distributor is the main component for the ignition in the engine. The distributor cap drives high-voltage current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs.
Conclusion–
An engine backfire can cause serious damage to the exhaust system or other engine compartments. If you’re experiencing engine backfires, a qualified mechanic can diagnose the problem and determine whether the engine parts need to change or need repairs. You can help prevent engine backfires and maintain optimal engine performance.