back firing after tune up?
08-03-2011, 06:20 AM
#1
f_inghag82
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back firing after tune up?
new on here and dont really know a whole lot yet.. but my husband just replaced plugs, wires, coils, radiator, and coolant reservoir and the damn check engine light is on.. it also rattles and occasionally back fires when taking your foot off the gas...keep in mind i know nothing about cars, he's the mechanic, just never worked with an rx8 before.. ideas on what to check first?
08-03-2011, 06:28 AM
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Get the code read and post here what the CEL is.
Backfiring when taking your foot off the gas is entirely normal, expected, and even fun for many of us. But really shouldn't be happening on the stock tune and with a catalytic converter still installed.
The "rattle" isn't enough to even start answering really. Could be MAIC, exhaust heat shield rattle, door trims, dash board trims, something else, etc...
Backfiring when taking your foot off the gas is entirely normal, expected, and even fun for many of us. But really shouldn't be happening on the stock tune and with a catalytic converter still installed.
The "rattle" isn't enough to even start answering really. Could be MAIC, exhaust heat shield rattle, door trims, dash board trims, something else, etc...
08-03-2011, 06:33 AM
#4
f_inghag82
Thread Starter
2005 stock automatic 119000 miles.. coolant reservoir cap broke so replaced it and broke piece off of radiator doing it..hence the new addition..lol...the rattle is strictly from the exhaust, like its coughing or something..loss of power too.. no clue about prior maintenance..
08-03-2011, 06:36 AM
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That helps a bunch.
Still, get the code pulled and post it here. But I'd guess you don't have a cat any more, or if you do, it's blown out, in which case backfires are very normal (excess gas on lift off + hot tail pipes = boom), and the CEL is then probably because the ECU is detecting that there isn't any cat (or the cat isn't working if you still have it physically there)
Does the exhaust smell pretty heavy? fuel fumes + exhaust, though not rotten the way piston engines do, sweeter kinda.
Still, get the code pulled and post it here. But I'd guess you don't have a cat any more, or if you do, it's blown out, in which case backfires are very normal (excess gas on lift off + hot tail pipes = boom), and the CEL is then probably because the ECU is detecting that there isn't any cat (or the cat isn't working if you still have it physically there)
Does the exhaust smell pretty heavy? fuel fumes + exhaust, though not rotten the way piston engines do, sweeter kinda.
08-03-2011, 06:44 AM
#6
f_inghag82
Thread Starter
i'll get the code when i can drive the 50 miles to civilization with two screaming ******* children..lol which will probably be later today..all i have to do is start it and rev for a few minutes.. doesnt even get hot.. starts immediately with the exhaust noises..this just started yesterday when he finished the tune up..they gave us two of the wrong spark plugs so i had to switch and then finish putting the two trailing ones in..so it had 3/4 a tune up at once then the rest of it a week later.. probably a bad idea..but thanks for all the suggestions even if you are being a smart *** 
08-03-2011, 06:58 AM
#7
i'll get the code when i can drive the 50 miles to civilization with two screaming ******* children..lol which will probably be later today..all i have to do is start it and rev for a few minutes.. doesnt even get hot.. starts immediately with the exhaust noises..this just started yesterday when he finished the tune up..they gave us two of the wrong spark plugs so i had to switch and then finish putting the two trailing ones in..so it had 3/4 a tune up at once then the rest of it a week later.. probably a bad idea..but thanks for all the suggestions even if you are being a smart ***
The exhaust noise is likely the remaining bits of the catalytic convertor bouncing around ... or a broken/loose exhaust hanger/heat shield
Last edited by wcs; 08-03-2011 at 07:02 AM.
08-03-2011, 07:22 AM
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tell us how you really feel about them 
Did you put your old Trailing plugs back in? It's better than having Leading plugs there, but may be causing a miss fire. I agree with the other though. Time to pull off the midpipe and have a look at the cat. If it's there still, it should be grey and look like a small honeycomb. If it's black, melted looking, or missing, it's bad. If that's the case knock all of the crap out of it and either leave it like that, or buy a hi-flow cat or catless midpipe. BHR can get you both styles and come highly recommended from most of the board here.
The reason I say knock the cat out if it's bad, is that it's not good for the engine and will completely negate the benefit of your tuneup.
08-03-2011, 07:32 AM
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Sorry, I wasn't intending to sound like a smart ***, though I am plenty so I don't take offense 
I was guessing that since you mentioned your husband is a mechanic, he would have a code reader and be able to check the cat. I can certainly understand the difficulties of having a 50 mile drive to civilization with your description of your kids, even if being 50 miles from civilization is REALLY appealing to me
My comments about backfires being normal was just that, a comment. Without a cat, this car LOVES to backfire since the exhaust flow is so much hotter than a piston engined car, and plenty of excess gas flying around in there. I thoroughly enjoy popping them on-demand You can keep it from backfiring, but you need a functional cat to do so.
I was guessing that since you mentioned your husband is a mechanic, he would have a code reader and be able to check the cat. I can certainly understand the difficulties of having a 50 mile drive to civilization with your description of your kids
, even if being 50 miles from civilization is REALLY appealing to me My comments about backfires being normal was just that, a comment. Without a cat, this car LOVES to backfire since the exhaust flow is so much hotter than a piston engined car, and plenty of excess gas flying around in there. I thoroughly enjoy popping them on-demand
You can keep it from backfiring, but you need a functional cat to do so.
08-03-2011, 07:43 AM
#10
f_inghag82
Thread Starter
ok gotcha.. so i'm guessing the cat took a **** on me...damn it..lol well when i get time to crawl my skinny *** under the car without getting attacked by carpenter ants i'll check it out..but i'm having a beer right now so i'm kinda busy..seriously.. i'm on beer #2...so i don't choke slam the kids when they wake up...lol..i'm a smart *** too... and an *******.. so i appreciate both..
08-03-2011, 07:50 AM
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It's 12:00 somewhere
Good luck, the bolts holding the cat to the exhaust manifold can be a bitch. Make sure you spray them down with some PB Blater, or something similar first and let them sit for a bit after.
Good luck, the bolts holding the cat to the exhaust manifold can be a bitch. Make sure you spray them down with some PB Blater, or something similar first and let them sit for a bit after.
08-03-2011, 07:54 AM
#18
f_inghag82
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i gotta a bunch of funny **** on fb if any of you guys wanna add me..easier for me to navigate than this site too..i feel like a ******' granny on here, too damn complicated.. search kristen jackson same photo on fb
08-03-2011, 07:59 AM
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Last edited by wcs; 12-12-2011 at 08:06 AM.
08-03-2011, 08:06 AM
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Maybe. I tend to keep my leg-humping communication confined to here. I'm running out of excuses for why i know people on facebook that my wife doesn't. It wouldn't be a big deal if she didn't know that I despise 90% of facebook and about 50% of my "friends"
I do however love funny pics. You can always attach them.
08-03-2011, 08:24 AM
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Curiosity has gotten to me. Request sent.
On a side note, There are a lot of hot Kristen Jacksons. I got so side tracked trying to find your account. I just added all of them so i can tell my wife i've been spammed.
On a side note, There are a lot of hot Kristen Jacksons. I got so side tracked trying to find your account. I just added all of them so i can tell my wife i've been spammed.