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Exhaust Back-Fire (Complete Guide)

Updated: Jan 9

Exhaust backfire is a phenomenon that occurs when unburnt fuel is ignited in the exhaust system, resulting in a loud popping or banging noise. It is a common problem that can occur in both gasoline and diesel vehicles and can have a number of causes.

 

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a sports car producing exhaust back fire

Causes of Back-Fire

There are a variety of causes of backfire in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, including the following.


  • Malfunction ignition system

  • Rich air/fuel ratio

  • Bent valves

  • Timing issues

  • Damaged distributor