Shots fired in a silencer? Building our "battle" tactics.
Muffler popping is primarily an indication of engine trouble. These are mainly ignition or timing problems.
We've all seen old and not-so-noisy cars that pass people and seem to give off a machine-gun burst in their direction. This is, of course, an advanced form of the disease, a consequence of neglect and neglect of the engine, but still, it didn't start out that intense.
The nature of the occurrence of claps in the muffler
A loud gunshot in the muffler indicates that the combustible mixture is ignited in the exhaust system. As practice shows, often a combustible mixture that is too highly enriched does not have time to burn completely, as there is a lack of air, and escapes into the exhaust duct together with the exhaust gases, after which it is carried into the muffler itself. In the closed space of the exhaust system this mixture builds up little by little and ignites either in the exhaust pipe or earlier. The ignition expands it, causing both gunshots and pops.
As a rule, it is not immediately possible to understand what is wrong and why the muffler is firing. There can be many reasons for this behaviour in a car engine:
A lot of reasons.
1. Carburettor malfunction.
What to do in this case:
- diagnose the condition of the carburettor;
- check the carburettor settings;
- assess the condition of the air filter.
If necessary, change the filter component in the air filter and adjust the fuel supply settings and the main carburettor components (idle and float mechanism, starting device).
2. Poorly adjusted valves in the cylinder head.
This refers to thermal clearance between the valve lever and the camshaft. This situation can occur if popping and popping in the muffler is heard at high engine speeds, mid-range and even idle. Or even outside of different load tests, but just after the engine has warmed up.
What to do in this case:
- diagnose the condition of the valves of the cylinder-head;
- adjust the thermal clearance independently or at the service station.
3. Disturbed order of spark plug wires.
This often occurs after independently replacing the spark plugs in the motor. If they have been removed, changed and immediately afterwards there is a distinctive popping noise in the muffler, it is most likely that the spark plug wires have been installed in the wrong order.
What to do in this case:
- diagnose the ignition system;
- correct the order of installation of plugs.
4. Late ignition timing due to poor ignition system adjustment.
This fault causes a delayed ignition of the combustible mixture in the cylinder. If there is no ignition at the compression stroke, the piston has already started to move downwards and the exhaust valve has opened and released some of the combustible mixture into the exhaust manifold before ignition. Similarly with the previous variants, it gradually enters the muffler, accumulates in the exhaust system and ignites, to the accompaniment of «shot».
What to do in this case:
- diagnose the ignition system;
- adjust the ignition timing by yourself or at a workshop.
Shots or pops are not a separate fault in themselves. It's just a symptom, like a cough, that indicates a need to correct a problem in the ignition system, timing system or fuel supply. If the symptom is ignored for a long period of time, just as with a cough, unpleasant consequences cannot be avoided.
Although they don't pose an immediate danger to the engine, the powerful pressure wave generated by these micro-explosions can damage the car's weak points (worn gaskets, thinning muffler walls, poor-quality parts connections).
And while they don't pose an immediate danger to the engine, the powerful pressure wave generated by these micro-explosions can damage the car's weak points (worn gaskets, thinning muffler walls, poor-quality parts connections).
Take care of your car, listen to it and may your roads be good! In the main section of the site you can familiarise yourself with the complete list of workshop equipment.
