Backfire type noise?

Dave_F · 07-10-2003, 10:17 PM

While checking out a new STi for sale today, I noticed that when revved from idle to 2,500 rpm, I'd hear a strange noise when I came off the throttle. The engine was not hot, and the noise seemed like a very small backfire type sound.

Does anyone know what this is? The sales guy gave me some mumbo-jumbo about a wastegate in the exhaust system. I just don't know enough to know what to believe, but I figure that he was just giving me a bunch of garbage.

I'm new to turbos, but I'm excited about finding an STi near Houston at MSRP (preferably silver). Any ideas where?

Thanks for the input.

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DJDaizzy · 07-10-2003, 10:43 PM

Drivetrain noise? It happens on the WRX and the STi when you do engine brake.

Dave_F · 07-10-2003, 10:49 PM

The noise occurred while the car was in neutral and happened precisely when I released the throttle. And I pushed the throttle in a very moderate fashion.

DJDaizzy · 07-10-2003, 10:56 PM

I don't know then, doesn't do it on mine. Make sure they took off everything like they should during PDI, my dealer forgot to take off the plastic bags covering the struts. It could be something under the car making that noise, good luck.

Hondaslayer · 07-10-2003, 11:02 PM

Probably just the usual exhaust noise.

Welcome to a boxer motor.

WorldOne · 07-11-2003, 02:31 AM

When all we had on the STi was the axel back portion of the exhaust system the popping you are refering to which was without a doubt a back fire of sorts did occur. This was suprising due to the fact that the exhaust system was 90% stock.

This does not occur, or did not occur noticably in the short period of time that the car had the stock exhaust.

Now that the exhaust it catless, it happens regularly.

Good times.

liigod · 07-11-2003, 02:38 AM

i love my backfire, i miss it when its not there

gator · 07-11-2003, 04:54 AM

My Sti does this as well when the engine is cold. I think it may be due to a rich mixture on initial startup and it just ends up blowing exhaust gases with enough gasoline in them that they ignite in this situation.

CoOlSlY · 07-11-2003, 06:59 AM

Usually it's because when the engine is cold, you are running rich and to comply to some states, you might have a secondary air pump wich sends air during the first few minutes of driving to meet emissions (as here in Canada). It might be something else of course!

Sylvain

ha-evolution · 07-11-2003, 09:50 AM

Back to the dealership again - mine doesn't backfire

It would be kinda cool if it shot flames out when it backfired.

KoneKiller · 07-11-2003, 02:30 PM

I used to have a 1976 Mazda RX3 SP which had a thermal reactor rather than a catalyst for emission controls.

At shutdown, the big four barrel carb would inevitabely dump a bit of unburnt fuel into the reactor and it would go BOOOMMMM!!!

A foot of blue/orange flame would leap from the 2x6 inch rectangular exhaust....

I was a kid, about 17 at the time, and nothing was more fun that scaring everyone in the Mickey D's parking lot.

brainrally · 07-11-2003, 02:42 PM

I have a 2001 RS (no turbo), and it backfires as well. I don't believe it should be hurting anything, and I haven't noticed any problems with the operation of my car. It's just a funny noise in my exhaust every now and then.

KoneKiller · 07-11-2003, 02:58 PM

I used to have a 1976 Mazda RX3 SP which had a thermal reactor rather than a catalyst for emission controls.

At shutdown, the big four barrel carb would inevitabely dump a bit of unburnt fuel into the reactor and it would go BOOOMMMM!!!

A foot of blue/orange flame would leap from the 2x6 inch rectangular exhaust....

I was a kid, about 17 at the time, and nothing was more fun that scaring everyone in the Mickey D's parking lot.

awilson529 · 07-11-2003, 03:38 PM

hey Dave_F, Gillman subaru at 59 and beltway 8 has a silver one for, i think, $35,000 with a few options in it. good luck

Dave_F · 07-11-2003, 10:48 PM

Thanks for the update about Gillman. That is the car that I am actually describing, and I offered them MSRP for it. Silver / silver is what I want. I won't pay more because I know of a white one available at MSRP and I'm sure that more will be available very soon. Those guys are holding out for that last dollar, clearly not sending a positive message to this customer.
Thanks for the input.

Tb311 · 07-11-2003, 11:35 PM

Same thing happens to my STi. Its more noticeable now that I have an HKS catback. I love that sound, it makes the car sound like an mad beast.

awilson529 · 07-12-2003, 01:04 AM

whers the white one if you dont mind saying? That and blue are my top color choices. Good luck finding one bro.

Thanks,
Adam

07-10-2003, 10:17 PM	#1
Dave_F Scooby Newbie Member#: 39407 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2008 STI WRB	Backfire type noise? While checking out a new STi for sale today, I noticed that when revved from idle to 2,500 rpm, I'd hear a strange noise when I came off the throttle. The engine was not hot, and the noise seemed like a very small backfire type sound. Does anyone know what this is? The sales guy gave me some mumbo-jumbo about a wastegate in the exhaust system. I just don't know enough to know what to believe, but I figure that he was just giving me a bunch of garbage. I'm new to turbos, but I'm excited about finding an STi near Houston at MSRP (preferably silver). Any ideas where? Thanks for the input. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

07-11-2003, 02:30 PM	#11
KoneKiller Scooby Specialist Member#: 39191 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Houston Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi WRB Red 1990 Spec Miata	ahh... the lovely cannon shot of a backfire I used to have a 1976 Mazda RX3 SP which had a thermal reactor rather than a catalyst for emission controls. At shutdown, the big four barrel carb would inevitabely dump a bit of unburnt fuel into the reactor and it would go BOOOMMMM!!! A foot of blue/orange flame would leap from the 2x6 inch rectangular exhaust.... I was a kid, about 17 at the time, and nothing was more fun that scaring everyone in the Mickey D's parking lot.

07-11-2003, 02:58 PM	#13
KoneKiller Scooby Specialist Member#: 39191 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Houston Vehicle: 2004 WRX STi WRB Red 1990 Spec Miata	ahh... the lovely cannon shot of a backfire I used to have a 1976 Mazda RX3 SP which had a thermal reactor rather than a catalyst for emission controls. At shutdown, the big four barrel carb would inevitabely dump a bit of unburnt fuel into the reactor and it would go BOOOMMMM!!! A foot of blue/orange flame would leap from the 2x6 inch rectangular exhaust.... I was a kid, about 17 at the time, and nothing was more fun that scaring everyone in the Mickey D's parking lot.

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07-10-2003, 10:43 PM	#2
DJDaizzy Scooby Newbie Member#: 12969 Join Date: Dec 2001	Drivetrain noise? It happens on the WRX and the STi when you do engine brake.

07-10-2003, 10:49 PM	#3
Dave_F Scooby Newbie Member#: 39407 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2008 STI WRB	The noise occurred while the car was in neutral and happened precisely when I released the throttle. And I pushed the throttle in a very moderate fashion.

07-10-2003, 10:56 PM	#4
DJDaizzy Scooby Newbie Member#: 12969 Join Date: Dec 2001	I don't know then, doesn't do it on mine. Make sure they took off everything like they should during PDI, my dealer forgot to take off the plastic bags covering the struts. It could be something under the car making that noise, good luck.

07-10-2003, 11:02 PM	#5
Hondaslayer the artiest Moderator Member#: 4562 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Auburn, WA Vehicle: 1998 Forester,lifted 95 Legacy,75 VW Westfalia	Probably just the usual exhaust noise. Welcome to a boxer motor.

07-11-2003, 02:31 AM	#6
WorldOne Vendor Member#: 22731 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: 2002 WRB Do-Luck GDA worldoneperformance.com	When all we had on the STi was the axel back portion of the exhaust system the popping you are refering to which was without a doubt a back fire of sorts did occur. This was suprising due to the fact that the exhaust system was 90% stock. This does not occur, or did not occur noticably in the short period of time that the car had the stock exhaust. Now that the exhaust it catless, it happens regularly. Good times.

07-11-2003, 02:38 AM	#7
liigod Scooby Specialist Member#: 30512 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Yonder Vehicle: 01 2.5rs black	i love my backfire, i miss it when its not there

07-11-2003, 04:54 AM	#8
gator Scooby Newbie Member#: 18296 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Francis Creek, WI Vehicle: 2004 STi WR Blue	My Sti does this as well when the engine is cold. I think it may be due to a rich mixture on initial startup and it just ends up blowing exhaust gases with enough gasoline in them that they ignite in this situation.

07-11-2003, 06:59 AM	#9
CoOlSlY Scooby Newbie Member#: 31625 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Montréal, Qc, Canada	Usually it's because when the engine is cold, you are running rich and to comply to some states, you might have a secondary air pump wich sends air during the first few minutes of driving to meet emissions (as here in Canada). It might be something else of course! Sylvain

07-11-2003, 09:50 AM	#10
ha-evolution Scooby Specialist Member#: 31556 Join Date: Jan 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: EC, WI Vehicle: 08 STI OBP	Back to the dealership again - mine doesn't backfire It would be kinda cool if it shot flames out when it backfired.

07-11-2003, 02:42 PM	#12
brainrally Scooby Specialist Member#: 3683 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Collinsville, IL 62234 Vehicle: 2007 Impreza WRX Shagginwagon	I have a 2001 RS (no turbo), and it backfires as well. I don't believe it should be hurting anything, and I haven't noticed any problems with the operation of my car. It's just a funny noise in my exhaust every now and then.

07-11-2003, 03:38 PM	#14
awilson529 Scooby Specialist Member#: 38867 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston, Tx. Vehicle: 11 Mazda	hey Dave_F, Gillman subaru at 59 and beltway 8 has a silver one for, i think, $35,000 with a few options in it. good luck

07-11-2003, 10:48 PM	#15
Dave_F Scooby Newbie Member#: 39407 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2008 STI WRB	Thanks for the update about Gillman. That is the car that I am actually describing, and I offered them MSRP for it. Silver / silver is what I want. I won't pay more because I know of a white one available at MSRP and I'm sure that more will be available very soon. Those guys are holding out for that last dollar, clearly not sending a positive message to this customer. Thanks for the input.

07-11-2003, 11:35 PM	#16
Tb311 Scooby Newbie Member#: 26219 Join Date: Oct 2002	Same thing happens to my STi. Its more noticeable now that I have an HKS catback. I love that sound, it makes the car sound like an mad beast.

07-12-2003, 01:04 AM	#17
awilson529 Scooby Specialist Member#: 38867 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston, Tx. Vehicle: 11 Mazda	whers the white one if you dont mind saying? That and blue are my top color choices. Good luck finding one bro. Thanks, Adam