What Causes a Car Engine to Backfire?

What Causes a Car Engine to Backfire?

Does your motor vehicle engine run okay? Or does it cut-out on you sometimes around town or after you are on a long trip? Think about it… does it *sputter* and *spit* and repeatedly *backfire*, then afterward it starts running okay, again?

Symptoms of this type can be several things.

1. You could have a spark plug wire shorting out. This is often the case so it pays to check it out thoroughly!

2. You could have an electrical wire shorting out. Again, this is another common symptom so give this area careful consideration. Remember that when it comes to your motor vehicle’s “electrical wire shorting out” you will want to take your vehicle to a reputable auto electrical technician.

POSSIBLE WATER IN THE FUEL TANK

3. You may have some water in the fuel tank. Most men and women do not even think about this sort of point occurring but you would be surprised to know just how often this will be the case. You can even pick up water in gasoline from a service station.

Now, let us discuss these three things as outlined above.

Over the years you probably have not had your fuel tank full of gasoline at all times. With a fuel tank half empty, the upper part of the tank can oftentimes cause a create-up of condensation. This condensation slowly builds up and then it runs down into the bottom of the automobile fuel tank.

PROBLEM WATER IN THE FUEL LINE

When you start to pass another motor vehicle you call upon the fuel pump to give you more diesel or gasoline. The fuel pump starts working overtime and picks up a lot more fuel, then the water and/or moisture finds its way into the line in conjunction with the fuel. The fuel filter catches this water and since water is heavier than gasoline, it drops to the bottom of the filter.

Next, you accelerate even faster to get around the car that you are trying to pass. Right? What happens whenever you floorboard it?

Simply place, you are asking for far more fuel so that you can accelerate even much faster. Using the filter partially full of condensation and/or water, some of it gets picked up into the fuel line and goes to the carburetor or injector. But you no doubt will hear some unusual noises and/or a sluggish feeling in performance until the car engine smooths out and away you go!

A SIMPLE SOLUTION

You can quickly and easily solve this problem (that is: most of the time) by simply changing the fuel filter at least two or maybe three times a year.

However, if changing your fuel filter does not fix the problem then most likely you will get a mechanic to remove the fuel tank and clean it out.