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Backfire or Pop When Starting Cold Engine

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by wingspar, Oct 6, 2011.

  1. Oct 6, 2011 at 3:30 PM
    #1
    wingspar

    wingspar [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I searched and found old threads on the subject, but too old to bring back up. Seems to be common, but I only read where one person left their rig at the Dealer overnight so they could hear it for themselves. They said there was nothing wrong.

    Mine is a 2011 model with only 2,500 miles on it. I never noticed the pop till my other half heard it the other day, and said something. Now, I hear it when I start the engine when it is cold. It’s a little bothersome, but it almost seems to be normal from what I’ve read so far. Sure doesn’t seem like something like that should be normal. Should I just ignore it?
     
  2. Oct 7, 2011 at 9:23 AM
    #2
    PSJ

    PSJ Prerunners Work

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    Mine still does it at times...there is a theory that gases are trapped in the exhaust system on shutdown and this creates the "backfire" on start up the next day. :confused:
     
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  3. Oct 7, 2011 at 9:26 AM
    #3
    2007 tacoma

    2007 tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I think we've read through the same threads.

    Several people reported that their trucks don't do it any longer if they let it idle for 20 to 30 seconds before shutting it off.
     
  4. Oct 7, 2011 at 11:30 AM
    #4
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia Everyone lives downstream.

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    I think this is normal and is caused by the emissions blower motor. It forces fresh air into the exhaust manifold during cold startup in order to continue burning the unburned fuel in exhaust gases. All that extra oxygen is bound to cause flash burning and the resulting 'pop' that we hear
     
  5. Oct 7, 2011 at 2:59 PM
    #5
    2004TacomaSR5

    2004TacomaSR5 Nemesis Prime

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    mine makes a few little pops when it starts but u have to be outside of the truck near the exhaust to hear them
     
  6. Oct 8, 2011 at 9:10 AM
    #6
    wingspar

    wingspar [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the feedback. Guess I'll ignore it, but it does make me imagine the truck runs rough while diving it. Wonder why it pertains to this engine? I think, tho I could be wrong, I have the same engine in my 2007 Camry, and it doesn’t do it.
     
  7. Oct 8, 2011 at 11:24 PM
    #7
    08pretaco

    08pretaco Well-Known Member

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    Happens to mine only when it gets cold out
     
  8. Oct 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM
    #8
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia Everyone lives downstream.

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    Next time you're ready to cold start, pop the hood first and locate the emission blower motor. It's mounted on the truck body infront of the engine on the passenger side. It's round and has a black plastic housing, plain as day.

    Start the truck then go back to engine bay. You'll notice that the blower motor sounds like a like a shop-vac running. It will stay running for about 8-10 seconds. Once it shuts off, the ECU goes into closed loop mode and the idle will settle down.

    During the time that the blower is running is when you'll notice the 'pops'. I believe this is the continued burning of fuel, which is the point of the blower in the first place. The V6 Tacoma engines do not have this. A co-worker has an '07 Camry, and I didn't see a blower on that engine either (2.4L engine).
     
  9. Oct 9, 2011 at 11:02 AM
    #9
    2007 tacoma

    2007 tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I think I know what you're talking about. You basically just look down and to the left and there's this air pump.

    Is this shutdown the disembodied VRRROOEEAAM sound I notice under the hood after cranking the truck? When I leave work tomorrow I'll pop the hood and get out to listen.
     
  10. Oct 11, 2011 at 10:14 AM
    #10
    wingspar

    wingspar [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I found the blower. Little almost flat round thing. I could not really hear much of a difference between startup and after the engine rpm’s slowed down. Kind of gets lost in all the other engine noise. I even video taped the exhaust pipe. No pop or backfire. It was about 64 degrees with a light rain, so maybe it wasn’t cold enough?
     
  11. Oct 11, 2011 at 12:09 PM
    #11
    TACOMA TRD

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    My 2007 never did this, my 2011 does, it kinda starts rough. Like it hesitates prior to starting.
     
  12. Oct 12, 2011 at 6:20 PM
    #12
    wingspar

    wingspar [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It popped today, and it was about 54 degrees outside. Is there a certain outside temp that one always gets the pop/backfire? I’d like to set the video cam up and actually capture one.
     
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  13. Oct 12, 2011 at 6:23 PM
    #13
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    We have two identical 2009 2.7 5speed trucks at work. I drive one of them. Mine has done it every morning since I have had it. It's got 54K on it now. The other truck probably has 30K on it and my co worker who drives it has commented on the same noise on cold starts. I don't know what it is, but it seems to be common and harmless.
     
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  14. Oct 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM
    #14
    705 Taco

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    Mine does it during the first start of the day.
     
  15. Oct 18, 2011 at 8:53 AM
    #15
    m1a1mg

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    Glad it isn't just mine.
     
  16. Oct 25, 2011 at 5:58 PM
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    wingspar

    wingspar [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mine hasn’t done it since I posted last. I’ve set the video cam up to tape it twice, and it didn’t happen either time. Kind of like when you take a vehicle that is acting up to a mechanic, and it purrs like a kitten for him.
     
  17. Oct 26, 2011 at 12:49 AM
    #17
    4Wheelin4Banger

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    I have same Taco as you and never had a problem.
    And a thread is never "too old to bring back up" you post to it and presto it's alive again.
     
  18. Nov 10, 2011 at 4:47 PM
    #18
    Icewatersteam

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    Mine's done it once or twice, almost certainly a pop and not a backfire. I theorize it's the release of a little stored tension from the contraction of the cold
    .
     
  19. Nov 17, 2011 at 4:38 PM
    #19
    dayNnite4

    dayNnite4 We can't stop here, this is bat country.

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    noticed this multiple times once it started getting cold. doesnt seem like it should be normal but oh well! but why does the emission blower only do this when its cold out?
     
  20. Nov 17, 2011 at 7:25 PM
    #20
    chad68

    chad68 Master Jedi Member I am...

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    Mine does it sometimes too but I've just been putting blame on the intake and exhaust and ignoring it.
     

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