Any Gas experts - Help

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 21:59
ThreadID: 41286 Views:1802 Replies:4 FollowUps:2
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Not 4wd related but car related, I had my 2003 v6 commodore serviced today, its a factory dual fuel. Anyway been really unhappy with the service I have had at holden so for the 80k service i took it to Automasters (another mistake). Anyway service dude rings me and says your car will be ready in half an hour by the way have you had any trouble with it back firing, i said no never. Anyway thought no more, picked it up, got a ways up the road and it didnt feel right, wasn't changing down right felt a little rough. Got about 30 km up the road and it backfired big time, then did it another time 3 times in a couple of kms, so i swapped it to petrol and rang service guy, he said to bring it back tomorrow. Feels ok on petrol, get a few more kms, then backfires on petrol pulling off the lights, running rougher and rougher, pulled up Red Hill with less grunt than my 89 patrol with 400,000km, the further I went the worse it got to the point it wouldnt do more than 70kph up inclines. Questions are

1. What could they have done to have caused this?
2. What damage will the violent backfiring do like blowing catalytic converter etc?
3. would the fact that it is rough on petrol as well as gas indicate it has damaged a sensor or something?
4. What does a bloke have to do to find a mechanic anywhere in Australia with an IQ higher than single figures?

Hope you can help
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Reply By: pt_nomad - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 05:45

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 05:45
Zapper,
Thats a shocker. I have had a gas VN and not a gas S! V8 discovery. Both vehicles have had issues with back firing over time, but only ever on gas - NEVER on petrol.
On the disco it is usually a case of spark tracking from old plugs or leads that need replacement ot a timing adjustment. All backfires that I have experienced on both vehicles have been throught the air inlet - not exhaust. It usually results in the air cleaner lid being displaced and it needing re-setting.
In the the air inlet is the air mass flow meter - measurse air flow in for the computer to calculate how much fuel (petrol) to inject. I have never had a problem but I have heard that damage to a mass flow meter is possible with an inlet manifold back fire. A damaged mass flow meter will cause the car to run like a bucket of sh|te.
Sounds like they have screwed up in their work.
Is the Red Hill you talk about in ACT? if so the gas guru I use is Dave Elliot at gas tune. To date sevice,skill and intelligence are 110% (he also did the conversion).
Paul.
AnswerID: 215811

Follow Up By: Zapper - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 08:15

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 08:15
Thanks Paul, no Red Hill in WA. I will be seeing the service guys this morning, from what I read on the net last night I would say the air flow meter is gone, not sure what the cost will be but I wont be paying it!!
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FollowupID: 476131

Reply By: flappa - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 09:06

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 09:06
Sure on one thing. Backfiring is NOT good , and is the usual cause for blowing engines apart on gas.

Backfiring on both sounds like a sensor.

Which ever , get the thing fixed . . . fast.
AnswerID: 215835

Reply By: Member - Phantom (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 10:41

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 10:41
In my experience, most backfiring is caused by spark plug leads that track and short out. It ususally destroys the air cleaner box.
AnswerID: 215852

Reply By: donks1 - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 17:47

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 17:47
as said above , check leads.. comodes tend to destroy leads on a regular basis.
i did 3 sets in 60.000km ( genuine and non )
finally went for repco red leads, ( not top gun ). it did another 80.000ks before i sold it without a problem.
backfireing will destroy an airbox including the air flow meter.....not cheap

good luck

donks
AnswerID: 215949

Follow Up By: Zapper - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 17:51

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 17:51
Hi Donks

The guy just called me on mobile but my phone was patchy, he said they replaced leads and something about plug gaps. Also said they replaed air box as it was cracked, no mention of air flow meter. Would air flow meter be stuffed if air box cracked?
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FollowupID: 476244

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