what causes backfireing out the carb and is spitting gas out ?

Question

its a 85 ford ranger and every time i try to turn the engine over it backfires and sprays out gas threw the carb and im not sure i have it in time right cause there are three timeing mark on the crankshaft pulley and i dont understand it tht much cause i put the 1 piston top dead center on a compression stroke but really dont know wht line to match it up with on the pulley and now i have this back fireing problem and i cant figure it out either

Answer 1

Hi,

If this is a 2.3L 4 cylinder and you replaced the timing belt, you probably put the belt on correctly for the cam but not the jackshaft which drives the distributor. If you are off one tooth on the jackshaft, it can advance or retard the spark by almost 20 degrees. As others have indicated, put the motor on compression stroke for the no 1 cylinder. Then check that the pointer on the camshaft gear is aligned with a mark on the head which indicates the cam is in sync. Then pull the distributor cap (not all that easy on a 2.3L.) and make sure the rotor is pointing at no 1 spark plug wire. If it is not, then the jack shaft has jumped time. Most times you can rotate the distributor to correct but if it is off two teeth, you have to reset the jackshaft.

Good luck!
Phil

Answer 2

Backfiring through the carb is a timing problem, gas spitting out the top of the carb is caused by the backfire.... try to reset your timing again.... make sure your distributer is wired right and number 1 is lining up right on the distributer.....

Answer 3

Don't worry about the timing mark for now.

Put it back to TDC #1 and make sure the rotor in the distributor cap #1 plug wire are lined up.

Doublecheck your firing order if you had the plug wires off.

Answer 4

The reason it's spitting gas out is because your intake valve isn't closing so instead of compressing the gas it's just spitting it out.

Make sure you get the timing right and that your valves have the proper clearance and aren't sticking.

Answer 5

Did you replace the timing belt? If so make sure you align the timing marks first on your gears. Refer to your manufacturer vehicle manual and specs. Let me know exactly what you did prior to it back fireing.

Answer 6

I was gonna say the same thing, but it looks like a bunch of people beat me to it.

I concur: Your timing is off. I used to use a timing light to fix my car. If you don't have one, take it to a mechanic.

Answer 7

the timing is definitly off try asking how to set timing on a ford blog

Answer 8

your timing is off by 180 degrees.