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Slight backfire and engine stall


Monkey Truck
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Out of no where, I've developed a small problem.  When I decelerate or coast into a stop sign, the truck begins to slighly backfire then the engine begins to hickup and then dies out as I come to a stop.  I can usually restart with no problems, runs great going back up through the gears, but then will do the same thing upon deceleration as I slow to a stop.

 

I pulled off the distributor cap and checked the points.  Visually they look good, only have about 1000 miles on them.

 

I appreciate any ideas or help.

 

Thanks, Eric.

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Backfire through the exhaust, especially with throttle closed, usually indicates an over lean condition. MIght want to check for any vacuum leaks, or check your idle mixture screw adjustment. It could be that your ignition timing is a little off too. Wouldn't hurt to double check it. 

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do not rule out possibility of something slipping out of adjustment, getting gummed up or flat out smoked points from leaving the ignition on with the points closed and being burnt in the process...investigate this first..quick and easy to rule out...

 

Thank you.  I might just replace the points and see if that helps.

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Always good to double check your work after a tune up. If its backfiring through the exhaust, it might be (in addition to what everyone else is saying) a fouled plug (or busted plug) allowing to much "raw" gas to migrate down the pipe. As it is, most engines have a Volumetric Efficiency (VE) of  0.8, or 80 percent. Meaning 20 percent of the exhaust out the cylinder is unburned fuel (HC) which is what a catalytic converter is designed to burn up. But in the old truck's case, a hot exhaust pipe can put on a show if theres enough fuel. At higher RPMs the extra fuel can get "resorted" and dipersed so as to go unnoticed....and I'm not talking a completely dropped out cylinder, but one with a fouled plug that has a VE of say 40 percent or less. Enough to cause problems. A cylinder that's completely out will shake the motor at certain RPMs. Just thinking out loud and throwing stuff til it sticks...lol. 

 

48D

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Always good to double check your work after a tune up. If its backfiring through the exhaust, it might be (in addition to what everyone else is saying) a fouled plug (or busted plug) allowing to much "raw" gas to migrate down the pipe. As it is, most engines have a Volumetric Efficiency (VE) of  0.8, or 80 percent. Meaning 20 percent of the exhaust out the cylinder is unburned fuel (HC) which is what a catalytic converter is designed to burn up. But in the old truck's case, a hot exhaust pipe can put on a show if theres enough fuel. At higher RPMs the extra fuel can get "resorted" and dipersed so as to go unnoticed....and I'm not talking a completely dropped out cylinder, but one with a fouled plug that has a VE of say 40 percent or less. Enough to cause problems. A cylinder that's completely out will shake the motor at certain RPMs. Just thinking out loud and throwing stuff til it sticks...lol. 

 

48D

That is exactly why I suggested to check for an air leak in the exhaust system. The introduction of air into this unburned fuel hastens the burning/exploding/backfire process. And this backfire can knock the guts out of an old muffler blocking the exhaust flow thus causing an engine to stumble.

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What type of points did you use? I had some that turned out to be poorly made in my plymouth and one day the block melted into a pile of goo and my car wouldn't start.

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  • 1 month later...
  • Solution

Ok, well after exhausting all that I know about trying to fix my problem (replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, checked the points, checked plugs, wires, checked for vacuum leak, etc), I gave in and took the truck to a mechanic. 

I had at least isolated the problem to the carburetor, and in fact the problem ended up being in the carburetor.

The official problem was a clogged "idle circuit". 

The mechanic told me the "idle circuit" tube is about the size of a hair.  He said it's very easy to clog.

He suggested in the future if that happens again, to pull the idle screw all the way out and blow air, or carburetor cleaner into the hole.

He ended up rebuilding it with a rebuild kit while he had it apart.

 

I don't know a whole lot about carburetors, so today was a $360 learning experience.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions above.

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I agree $360 is high. How long did it take the guy to do the work and what are his hourly rates?

 

Around here that'd be probably 2hours of labor plus the carb kit.

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He charged me $297 in labor, the receipt doesn't show the hourly rate.

Carburetor Kit was $53.42

Carb cleaner $ 5.95

 

Description of work:

R & R Carb and repair as needed.

 

I'm guessing he spent 3-4 hours total, not sure.

Of course here in California, everything is $$$.

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