What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Help! Exhaust manifold on fire

G

GalDemSuga

1/2 ton status
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Posts
590
Reaction score
0
Location
ATLANTA, GA
I lost power last night while coming off of a mountain in KY. The truck starting to rough shift and loose power before throwing Code 43. I pulled over and opened the hood and saw that both of my exhaust manifolds were red hot. I was in the middle of nowhere so I drove 50 miles with it like this. I noticed that the oil pressure and coolant temps were normal even while the manifolds were on fire.

I could use some input here as I need to get back home.:confused:
 
Sounds like the cat , is stoped up if it has one or it is starving for fuel ,filter might be stoped up or fuel pump going out. What year is it,make model is it? Could be bad gas also. Hope this helps i dont have a code reader so i cant tell you what the code is .
 
GalDemSuga said:
I lost power last night while coming off of a mountain in KY. The truck starting to rough shift and loose power before throwing Code 43. I pulled over and opened the hood and saw that both of my exhaust manifolds were red hot. I was in the middle of nowhere so I drove 50 miles with it like this. I noticed that the oil pressure and coolant temps were normal even while the manifolds were on fire.

I could use some input here as I need to get back home.:confused:
Click to expand...

Well it is running lean or the CAT is bad.
I want to say lean.
Are you driving lower altitude than where you live?
 
SIMPLEMAN681 said:
Sounds like the cat , is stoped up if it has one or it is starving for fuel ,filter might be stoped up or fuel pump going out. What year is it,make model is it? Could be bad gas also. Hope this helps i dont have a code reader so i cant tell you what the code is .
Click to expand...

It's Code 43: Electronic Spark Control Module. Its getting fuel and the exaust system is working fine. Its just that the manifolds are getting very hot. I'm beginning to wonder if the timing is off. I just changed the distributor before I left GA 3days ago and set the timing by ear.

Now I'm no expert so I set it based on how the motor sounded.
 
galdemsuga said:
it's code 43: Electronic spark control module. Its getting fuel and the exaust system is working fine. Its just that the manifolds are getting very hot. I'm beginning to wonder if the timing is off. I just changed the distributor before i left ga 3days ago and set the timing by ear.

Now i'm no expert so i set it based on how the motor sounded.
Click to expand...
timimg will make one run lean check to see if your distributor moved.when one runs lean it makes the exaust hotter causeing the manifolds to be red hot.
 
SIMPLEMAN681 said:
timimg will make one run lean check to see if your distributor moved.when one runs lean it makes the exaust hotter causeing the manifolds to be red hot.
Click to expand...

Ok I'm about to run down and check it out. It surprising that the truck starts and runs.
 
GalDemSuga said:
It's Code 43: Electronic Spark Control Module. Its getting fuel and the exaust system is working fine. Its just that the manifolds are getting very hot. I'm beginning to wonder if the timing is off. I just changed the distributor before I left GA 3days ago and set the timing by ear.

Now I'm no expert so I set it based on how the motor sounded.
Click to expand...

Well timing usually is better when done by ear than by factory settings when the engine is not new, but if you don't know what you should hear then it could be off.
I am no expert on TBI but my friend was driving his big block TBI 1 ton truck like that for years, we would be towing with it and the manifolds would be glowing red so bad at night they produced light to see under the hood, he kept trying to figure out what was going on but still drove it everywhere like that.
As long as you don't have any oil leaks from your valve covers I guess you would be OK, mine caught fire because of that. :o
 
imiceman44 said:
Well timing usually is better when done by ear than by factory settings when the engine is not new, but if you don't know what you should hear then it could be off.
I am no expert on TBI but my friend was driving his big block TBI 1 ton truck like that for years, we would be towing with it and the manifolds would be glowing red so bad at night they produced light to see under the hood, he kept trying to figure out what was going on but still drove it everywhere like that.
As long as you don't have any oil leaks from your valve covers I guess you would be OK, mine caught fire because of that. :o
Click to expand...

I reset the timing again by ear and she just ran ok. I'll be heading to ATL (450 miles) this afternoon so I'll have a good run at testing the timing.
 
if you are running tbi it auto advances... if I remember correctly unplug the computer, run it about 2k RPM's after warmed up, and tune it at exactly zero degree's. when the computer is plugged back in it will advance it on its own...

(going off memory if I'm nuts don't shoot the messenger been about 6 years since I've done this)
 
solowookie said:
if you are running tbi it auto advances... if I remember correctly unplug the computer, run it about 2k RPM's after warmed up, and tune it at exactly zero degree's. when the computer is plugged back in it will advance it on its own...

(going off memory if I'm nuts don't shoot the messenger been about 6 years since I've done this)
Click to expand...

This is an 89 truck, I dont know if it'll crank without computer. If so, how is this done?
 
You need to unplug the timing plug, not the ECM. You can't time a TBI like a carb since the ECM does the advance. Unplug it and set it to 0 btdc then plug it back in.
 
there is a single wire out side of the harness, driverside of the brake booster that needs to be unpluged (before you start the engine) to set the timing at 0.
 
I'm gonna bet it is your timing as well. The two guys above are pointing you in the right direction.

When heavily loaded or going up a steep grade your exhaust manifolds may glow red - but you need to be really on it for an extended period of time.
 
it will crank without the computer I started mine, and then unplugged it after it was warmed up good before I timed it, then plugged it back in. after you plug it back in you hit it with your timing light again you'll see it is advanced.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom