Joined: Feb 2019

Posts: 32

I went to go buy a 93 z28 and when the guy started the car there was a loud pop. The guy said it’s the starter and that it has done every time he starts it since he owned it. Before buying the car I wanted to check to see if anyone had an idea of what that is.

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 9,507

From: Okemos, MI

Can you describe the sound more? Are we talking backfire? Or does it sound like parts banging together?

Joined: Feb 2019

Posts: 32

I thought it sounded like a backfire. It only happened when we started the car and didn’t happen again

Joined: Nov 1998

Posts: 71,099

From: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ

Was the engine cold or hot when the owner started it? The starter wouldn’t cause a backfire (popping in the intake manifold) or popping in the exhaust. It is more likely a problem with unburned fuel in the system, a valve hanging open, or an ignition timing error.

Is the engine basically stock, or has it been modified? If modified, what was done to it?

Joined: Feb 2019

Posts: 32

he said it has a 93 gas tune and he said the gears were changed on the car. It could have been a different noise than a backfire and the popping noise was from the engine bay. The guys had driven the car about an hour before we got there so it probably was cold. I think the car needs a new opti based on how it drove. Idk if that could cause a popping noise on start up though. It also needs a new tranny mount but I don’t think that would cause a pop on start up.

Joined: Nov 1998

Posts: 71,099

From: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ

Could be the rotor in the Opti is cracked or coming loose, or carbon tracking in the Opti = timing error.