2 Questions the one I'm worried about is the popping noise in my exhaust...

[LaNRoVeR]

Ok, I have a popping noise in my exhaust. Only does it at idle. It doesn't do it while I'm in gear, or atleast I don't hear it. Recent mods to my car if you haven't seen my recent post was sparkplugs, sparkplug wires, new dist cap, and rotor. I figured it might stop after putting new plugs in it, but no luck. Any clues to what could be causing this popping noise?

Second question is: Whats the difference between a bigger mm wire. Like whats the difference from the 7mm to 10mm wire performance wise. If I get a bigger mm wire do I have to get different sparkplugs or would the gap just change? Sorry its a newbie question, but I'm a newbie : ).

[ebpda9]

well it sounds like you have some backfiring going on. do u have any valve chatter too ? i know my car does that too and it goes away after a vlave adjustament.

as for the sparkplug wires it's really hard to tell if you don't know the specifics of the wires, but the spark plug gap does not need to change only if you do the spark plug wires. it will change when you get like an aftermarket ignition

[pdiggitydogg]

does kinda sound like a backfire...or it could be cheap exhaust and could be farts (did you change to aftermarket exhaust?)

[LaNRoVeR]

No, its not aftermarket its the stock exhaust. How much would a valve adjustment cost to get done? Does it improve performance any?

[pdiggitydogg]

no performance gain... Its just maint. Might as well have the timing belt looked at/replaced and water pump all at the same time
Id take it in...but thats because I dont know how to adjust the valves and I hate doing the timing belt

[thermal]

You might be running rich as well. That is almost normal on my civic. But then again I'm running a 255LPH fuel pump and a set of 450cc injectors. It's not a bad idea to check your spark plug gap tho.

[AzCivic]

a valve adjustment is easy, you just need a good torque wrench, manual, feeler guage, and patience. if you do need a valve adjustment you'll hear ticking coming from the engine.

as for your popping sound...does the car feel like it drives differently?

oh and you CAN use a valve adjustment to increase performance! the trick is to tighten the valve lash a little tighter than factory specs, which will result in a tad bit higher lift(not anything like a aftermarket cam, but its free!) the only draw back is the you might have idling problems, which are usually solved by raising the idle speed a little.

[Shaved &/or Laid]

mine does that too but only because my exhaust got owned by traintracks.

[LaNRoVeR]

Thanks for the replys I'll have her taken in and looked at....