p pop POP p p

["Alan W. Presley" <awpresley@earthlink.net>]

Doug, Chris, Emily and everyone else,

Is this what you hear?

small pops and then a BIG one or more?

My problem was a leaky exhaust system.  Either the gaskets, the muffler
has a hole (even a small one), or the connection from the muffler to the
tailpipe is loose.  Usually you can get under the engine and look for a
lot of black carbon around any joints or connectors to the exhaust.  If
not, you may have just found it.  Have someone hold the accellerator
pedal at around 2-3000 rpm and you get under and listen for the
put-put-put sound. If you find it, fix it. No good?  Then try having
your helper rev it up and release the accelerator pedal and look and
listen for the pop. (Don't get real close if the popping was loud, it is
an explosion remember?  Flame?) Same thing, find it and fix it, seal it,
replace it, whatever works. Buy a new gasket. Buy a new system if it's
REALLY bad.  If you are (or know someone) a welder, you could seal the
hole. 

Don't wait for a long while to fix it, it will only get worse and make
your engine run worse.  You'll loose power and thereby gas economy.

There's MY 2 cents.  ;)

Big Al
awpresley@earthlink.net