backfiring problem

[RAM MAN]

I have some backfiring going on .. and it just recently started

its up close to the engine, not back by the muffler

Here's a little background

its a 2000 Ram Van V6 88XXX miles

had a complete recent tune up just last fall (cap, wires, rotor, plugs, etc)

original cat converter

just started happening

Filled up with gas at the same place I always go to = already burned down almost 1/2 a tank and it just started doing it, so I don't think its bad gas

Cleaned the throttle body and the IAT and that didn't help
(just ruling things out)

Usually only drive short distances

Just started yesterday - I was driving in town accelerating up to 35 MPH and THATS when it happens (not when idling)

Put your foot down to accelerator and there is all sorts of popping going on down there (and no accelerating until its done) Probably did it 6 or 8 times in a roll with the engine kinda stumbling (like I'm thinking ... is it going to stall also ?) then it stopped and took off like usual ..

I don't smell any thing unusual out of the exhaust (no rotten egg smell) and I've even rapped on the converter to see if it sounds like loose stuff in there - but sounds solid ...

Happened on the way to work yesterday AM, on the way to do some errands later in the afternoon, and again this morning ...

Wonder why all of a sudden this would happen ?

Open to ideas

TIA

[gsmagnum]

I know the V-8s did away with the egr valves, but did they do the same on the V-6?

[Dadof6]

How does it do at idle? is it idling any faster then normal? If you have a vacuum leak, it can act similar to that where it is getting too much air when trying to accelerate.

[QQB825]

I know the V-8s did away with the egr valves, but did they do the same on the V-6?
Chrysler did away with the EGR on the v6 in 1996 (v8's too, i don't know). :)

[RAM MAN]

surges at idle

[RAM MAN]

I'm starting to wonder if its just a batch of really bad gas

here's what I noticed yesterday:

it only does it after its sat for a while

when it does it, MAN does it smell like I'm running rich, and I'm getting fluid out of the tail pipe

I'm thinking that its water in there, and that after it sits for a while the water and gas separate... then when I start it up again, it struggles thru the crap

maybe I'm way off, but I'm going to dump a couple of dry gas cans down there and see if it make any difference

appreciate the tips so for

I'll keep you posted

[Dodgevanman]

My '94 was doing that last summer until it warmed up. Problem went away by itself...dunno what it was.

[RAM MAN]

Well, that didn't fix it either ...

I have no codes

but this is getting frustrating ...

I was hoping the dry gas would fix it, but it hasn't

so today (at 2.95 a gallon) I filled up with Premium, with this thought in mind:

if the original gas was bad / watered down, I was thinking that 1/2 a tank of Premium would mix in and off set things

today it stalled out, but started right up again ... if anything, its getting worse ...

I'm going to see if I can find a muffler shop and see if they can tell if the cat converter is bad ...

[van-nut]

Hmm, I'm not sure what to tell you, RAM MAN.

You would think if it was an electrical misfire, you ought to have a code or two.

Since you said it smells rich, maybe pull the plugs out and see what they look like? Might give you some clues?

Keep us posted.

Pete

[Dodgevanman]

I wonder if the TPS is going bad???

[van-nut]

I was also thinking that, Nate, after my previous post. If you can get a meter hooked on to it, you should be able to very slowely open the throttle thru the whole range and check for a nice smooth progression from idle all the way to WOT.

Pete

[RAM MAN]

thanks

I'd like to have a shop check out the cat converter as well

[RAM MAN]

well

I hate to type this out loud in fear of it jinxing me

BUT

it seems to have passed ... maybe it WAS just bad gas

it hasn't done it at all for a couple of days

still keeping my eye on it

thanks again for all the suggestions

[Dodgevanman]

Keep us posted Dave.

[RAM MAN]

well - this is weird

but its been absolutely FINE since the 2nd

and yesterday, its started all over again

at idle, it runs like there is a racing cam in it, backfires thru both the exhaust and the TB - and stalls at the same time

when it happens and I put it in neutral and rev the engine, the engine revs just like its supposed to - no hesitation



and today

it ran perfectly with no problems at all ...

yikes

I hate tracking down random problems

[stev]

See if that vaccum hose from the TB that runs to the near front of the vehicle and just behind the battery got loose. This happened to my B2500 with the 5.2L/318cid. Once I got the hose back on, the engine took a half hour to readjust back to normal. I think the hose and aluminum tube that runs to the TB works with the fuel vapor return line.

Yes, this problem will come and go often if that hose and the others to the thingy under the battery tray goes wacky.