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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 when you’re on a long trip? Think about it… does it *sputter* and *spit* and repeatedly *backfire*, then afterwards it starts running okay, again?

Symptoms of this type can be several things.

1. You could have a sparkplug 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 vehicles “electrical wire shorting out” you will need 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 people don’t even think about this sort of thing occurring but you would be surprised to know just how often this is the case. You can even pick up water in gasoline from a service station.

Now, let’s discuss these three things mentioned above.

Over the years you probably haven't had your fuel tank full at all times. With a fuel tank half full, the upper part can cause condensation. This condensation will slowly build up and run down into the bottom of the fuel tank.

WATER IN THE FUEL LINE

When you start to pass another vehicle you call upon the fuel pump to give you more fuel. The fuel pump starts working overtime and picks up more fuel, then the water and/or moisture goes into the line along 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’re trying to pass. Right?

What happens when you floorboard it?

Simply put, you're asking for more fuel so that you can accelerate even much faster. With the filter partially full of condensation, water, some of it gets picked up into the fuel line and goes to the carburettor or injector. But you no doubt will hear some unusual noises and/or a sluggish feeling until the car engine smooths out and way 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 have to get a mechanic to remove the fuel tank and clean it out.