Wagon scared the bejeezus out of me today...

So I was driving back from the store with my windows down, you know, since it's a nice day and all. This slow car pulls out in front of me so I change lanes and step on the gas to go around. When I did, I let off the gas, and this insanely loud POP came out. It sounded like it came from the exhaust somewhere? I don't even know what would cause that. Is that backfiring? Or am I completely wrong here? I don't want to listen to that again - ever.

Besides hearing a POP did you feel anything at all?Are you sure it was yout car?How did the car drive after the POP.
Has it done it again or have you noticed anything out of the norm?
Answers Please
Jim Gordon

Didn't feel anything, no. I'm positive it was me though. It seemed to drive fine, I just stayed off of the gas as much as I could.

Never a dull moment. I wonder if you timing is just a little off, where you would not notice it in normal driving but you put a big load on it like that and it was enough to cause a backfire. How many miles are on your car? It's possible the timing chain could be just a little stretched from age.

Brainstorming....

It's got 112k on it right now.

That's not much....hmm. I'd drive it as is if it seems to be running fine now. Older cars hiccup now and then, it happens.

Well I had planned on doing a tune up and all that fun stuff over spring break (you know, plugs, wires, cap/rotor, fluids) in addition to fixing my oil leak. Maybe that'll clear this up entirely.

A clogged EGR can cause backfiring too.

Really? Never heard of that. I think that may be my issue. A few months ago it stumbled a little bit and I cleaned the EGR and that went away for awhile, and now that's back too.

This reminds me of a common exchange I have with my youngest daughter.

Her: Dad?
what stinker.

My toe hurted earler today.

Does it hurt now?

No.

You want me to call you a toe truck?

No.

Want me to cut it off so it doesn't hurt again tomorrow?

No.

Ok, then. Good story.


Similarly:

Guys?
what stinkeroo.

My old car made a pop earlier, and it scared me. Very bageezuzly. And badly.

Does it pop now?
no.

Do you know it was even your car?
no.

Want us to call you a tow truck?
no.

Ok then. Good story.

Ahahahahahahahahahaha!

Delete.

Man, he was just teasin'... It was funny. I know he didn't mean any harm by it.

Bewber........ Lol......

Come on Stingroo, that was funny. Plain and simple a back fire is fuel burning in the exhaust, you need to tune it up first see if that cures the problem.

Well funny gets old fast.


I'll see what happens after spring break. Don't have the time to mess with it this week.

I guess the younger the man the thinner the skin and the older the bloke the funnier the joke.
M H O
Jim Gordon

I think it was hilarious.

It probably was just a stone or acorn hitting his window or mirror pod. I have had that happen to me, I thought I would see a big crack somewhere, but nothing. Startled me.

In fact, I had acorns raining down on me yesterday, and it was really spooky.

Maybe a squirrel dropped one from a tree, they have a lot fo practice, and are pretty accurate.

Trust me. It was an exhaust noise. I'm not that stupid guys...