working on a 97 cavalier, 2.2L. no start. had already checked for fuel, fuel pressure, injector pulse, and spark. found plugs WAY worn...as in the gaps were slightly over .085.....this engine i think should be .060. put fresh plugs in, got the air intake tube off, a remote starter button on the starter, and working the throttle by hand.
cranking her over, she tried to fire, but didn't quite......so i crank again, suspecting(it just sounded it, even with fresh plugs), i hold the throttle all the way open. this puts the ECU into "clear flood" mode. cranking, and i really don't know why.....something caught my attention, and i let go of the starter button and throttle, as i closed my eyes, turning away as fast as i could.
as i closed them, i saw the flash, and felt the heat on the left side of my face. slightly singed that eyebrow. she backfired through the intake, with a very nice little fireball. i still dunno what made me do what i did.....but i thank god i did, as it could.....no....it would have been a painful day had i not turned away so fast/soon. it also reminded me why i used to ALWAYS have safety glasses on when i work, regardless of what i'm doing. in the future i will be.
as it turns out, the timing chain tensioner took a dump, letting the chain move too much, causing the backfire.
methinks me has a guardian angel. her name is catherine barker. she had it easier when she was alive. she couldn't see some of the stupid crap i do.
