1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Loss of power & massive backfires

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Old 08-19-10, 11:32 AM
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Loss of power & massive backfires

Guys,
I'm running a 1984 1st gen with the standard 12a engine and standard nikki carb.
The car has tubular headers and a stainless steel exhaust.
It's always run great until this morning when it flooded while trying to start it.
I got it going by leaving the choke in and feathering the gas but it then refused to pull away and produced some massive violent backfires.
I've nursed it around 20 miles today but everytime I give it some gas, it loses all power and backfires. It'll just about pull away on light revs.
What the hell could be causing this, it was sweet as a nut when I parked it up last night?
I would have thought the flood would have cleared after 20 miles of driving.

cheers,
Ian
Old 08-19-10, 11:54 AM
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A couple of ideas come to mind:

1. You fouled your spark plugs when it flooded.
2. It flooded because of an ignition issue, and now you're seeing the signs of that issue.

I would pick up a new set of plugs (all four) and while they are out of the motor, check for spark.

Good luck.



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Old 08-19-10, 11:58 AM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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Your probably running on trailing alone because the leading is still flooded or
you have lost the leading ignitor.

Do what Kentetsu suggested, get new plugs or really clean the hell out of the
ones you have. Then make sure your getting leading spark.

I bet its an ignition issue. See my sig for one solution
Old 08-19-10, 12:18 PM
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Thanks Guys,
I'll drop the plugs out.
Old 08-19-10, 12:29 PM
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^+1

While under the hood, check your cap and rotor, too; the initial flood could have come from the contacts getting past their prime. Do all the cheap-n-easy ignition visual checks; wires on tight & not fried, etc.

& look at your bowl levels; running too rich due to a sticky needle could do this, too.
Old 08-19-10, 01:03 PM
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that's a good point, I'll check all those as well.
I'm not too bothered about the carb as I plan to lose it next week when I convert the engine to a turbo, I was worried I'd done some serious internal damage to the engine though.... not the thing I want to do when I'm about to boost it.
Old 08-20-10, 01:42 PM
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All sorted now...
Leading coil had gone down.
Swapped in a good one and the cars now good to go.
Thanks to everyone who offered advice
Cheers,
Ian
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