All day the car is running great as usual. We take the car out tonight to do some shopping.
So I start it up and I hear what I think is the alternator squeaking mixed in with a noise like pebbles being tossed around.
So off we go.

I let the car run with the wife in the car while I hit the first store. I come out the noise is gone, the car is warmed up now and running like she should.

Next stop, same thing I run in come out the car is off this time. She say’s it was making a bad popping noise she shut it down.
I fire it back up and all you hear is POP POP POP (bad backfiring, frighteningly load) and you can barely hear the motor.
I shut it down have it towed home.

Hours later after letting it cool down I fired it up with the same results. Giving it gas does nothing it doesn’t rev and the popping doesn’t get quicker.

I need help guys what is wrong here?

Thanks

 

Probably the just the optispark.
Its always the just the optispark, right?

 

fuel injectors???

 

All of a sudden the injectors or opti go bad, no warning signs?

 

I know the opti can "just go bad", but I would think fuel injectors would give a little warning before hand. Could be wrong though.

 

Exhaust leak...

 

Usually electrical items such as those in the ignition are the things that go like light bulbs. Fine one minute and bad the next. The bad thing is poor connections can be the same way. I would think you should check spark at the coil with a known good plug. Then check the spark at a few plugs as well.

If spark is ok, then check the fuel pressure at the schrader valve on the fuel line at the back of the intake.

That's a start and let us know what you find.

 

Further describe "popping". Is it noise through the exhaust or something coming from the engine? People's descriptions of noises are hard to figure out sometimes.

 

Thanks for chimming in Shoebox.

The popping sounded like it was coming from the exhuast.

 

any other suggestions out there?

 

Sounds like you need a new exhaust manifold gasket.

 

that can keep the car from running?

 

the poping sound coming from the alt? maybe your alt went bad and isnt charging your system. your car will misfire and sputter and not run on low voltage

 

My money is on the opti....the noise you heard was most likely coming from it......lasted a few more miles before it was toast.

 

lol as funny as it sounds a similar expierience from the other day.

this kid has a lt1 t/a and all of a sudden was making a crazy loud popping noise and as it turned out a spark plug had loosened up and fell out lol.

might wanna check them if you havnt already