Car is back firing after header install
09-06-2006, 07:06 PM
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Car is back firing after header install After i installed headers on my 02 trans am around 3k it sounds like its back firing and when i get on it the check engine light flashes for about 30 seconds and then turns off. Now the check engine light is on and throwing an passanger 02 sensor code. when we intalled the headers we replaced the spark plugs could this be bad gapping or maybe a wire not on all the way... thanks guys
09-06-2006, 07:18 PM
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A flashing check engine light means there is a misfire. Check all your plugs and wires.
The code for the o2 sensor. What is the exact code? Is it bank 2 sensor 1 or bank 2 sensor 2?
The code for the o2 sensor. What is the exact code? Is it bank 2 sensor 1 or bank 2 sensor 2?
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09-06-2006, 09:02 PM
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Mine was backfiring after header install also. Definitely check the plug wires. I have MSD wires and they are very difficult to snap on and even then it is not a very assuring "snap on". I say pull each plug wire and reinstall them paying very close attention that they are being fully connected. I could have sworn mine were, and they were not. On my wires, I learned that even though I was pushing as hard as I could and were as far as they could go, a couple still were not connected properly. I also had this problem with the coil pack connections too.
Did you install the plugs before or after the headers were in? If you installed them before the headers, you may have hit a plug and cracked the porcelain also. I installed my plugs after the headers were in to avoid this.
Did you install the plugs before or after the headers were in? If you installed them before the headers, you may have hit a plug and cracked the porcelain also. I installed my plugs after the headers were in to avoid this.
09-07-2006, 12:30 AM
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Double check .. no , triple check your spark plug gaps and wires. Same problem with mine, but it was constant hesitation and backfiring.
A thing to look at before you replace your O2 sensors, check and see if your extensions were melted by your header primary. I was throwing a bank 2 sensor 1 code and multiple cylinder misfire. Found out that the wire on the O2 extension melted due to contact with the header primary causing the O2 problem. I fixed that and the car still hesitated and backfired. Took the plugs out , checked the gap , cleaned them and reinstalled . Car still hesitated.
So being really pissed off at this time , i take it to a shop that had a diagnostic machine and i found the #7 cylinder was misfiring. Mechanic took out the plug, checked the gap and sure enough , it wasnt right. That's the same plug that barely tapped the header primary when i was reinstalling it, closing the gap .
So it goes to show something that small can cause major engine problems . Hope everything gets worked out !
A thing to look at before you replace your O2 sensors, check and see if your extensions were melted by your header primary. I was throwing a bank 2 sensor 1 code and multiple cylinder misfire. Found out that the wire on the O2 extension melted due to contact with the header primary causing the O2 problem. I fixed that and the car still hesitated and backfired. Took the plugs out , checked the gap , cleaned them and reinstalled . Car still hesitated.
So being really pissed off at this time , i take it to a shop that had a diagnostic machine and i found the #7 cylinder was misfiring. Mechanic took out the plug, checked the gap and sure enough , it wasnt right. That's the same plug that barely tapped the header primary when i was reinstalling it, closing the gap . So it goes to show something that small can cause major engine problems . Hope everything gets worked out !
09-07-2006, 12:30 PM
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my car backfires when the cut out is open. Not a big gun shot back fire but sometimes when wot and I let off it sounds to spit back pretty good. It does hesitate on the bottom sometimes. It doesnt do it all the time but most of the time. When I put my bosch platinum 2's in about 3 months ago I dropped one plug and it bent one side down so I bent it back up to the same gap as the other. Could this be a problem? I have checked all my plug wires multiple times?
09-07-2006, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by thekidran
After i installed headers on my 02 trans am around 3k it sounds like its back firing and when i get on it the check engine light flashes for about 30 seconds and then turns off. Now the check engine light is on and throwing an passanger 02 sensor code. when we intalled the headers we replaced the spark plugs could this be bad gapping or maybe a wire not on all the way... thanks guys
09-07-2006, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by DomesticLS1
my car backfires when the cut out is open. Not a big gun shot back fire but sometimes when wot and I let off it sounds to spit back pretty good. It does hesitate on the bottom sometimes. It doesnt do it all the time but most of the time. When I put my bosch platinum 2's in about 3 months ago I dropped one plug and it bent one side down so I bent it back up to the same gap as the other. Could this be a problem? I have checked all my plug wires multiple times?
09-07-2006, 06:42 PM
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i had this problem about 2 years ago with my TA.. you didnt mess with the coil packs did you? I took the coil packs off my '98 just to make the swap run a little smoother.. (i know that the coil packs on the 01-02s are all connected, but make sure theyre all on properly) i checked my plugs and wires first, next fuel filter/lines, then finally the coil packs... just giving you an idea..
09-07-2006, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Fire-formula 93
Try some NGK TR-55's instead of the Bosch, that may be your problem. For some reason, I had one Bosch platinum plug in my car when I did the plugs, the rest were factory AC's. The platinum was completely gone off the Bosch plug, I dont know how it fired at all. Buy the regular TR-55's, they are cheap and it shouldnt be so bad to switch them out since you have done it once already.