Where did the term backfire come from?
The term derives from parallel experiences with early unreliable firearms or ammunition in which the explosive force was directed out at the breech instead of the muzzle. That is the origin of the use of “backfire” to indicate producing an unintended, unexpected, and undesired result.
How can you use backfire in a sentence?
(1) The President’s tactics could backfire. (2) Even our most carefully laid plans may backfire. (3) A risk without a clear purpose can backfire. (4) However, this kind of greenback fidelity can backfire once in a while.
What does it mean when something backfires?
Backfire is defined as something happens in the opposite way than you wanted it to happen. A loud popping noise coming from the engine of a car is an example of a backfire. noun. Backfire means the premature ignition of fuel in a car.
What does backfiring mean in relationships?
backfire verb [I] (BAD RESULT) (of a plan) to have the opposite result from the one you intended: Her plans to make him jealous backfired on her when he started dating her best friend.
How do you get backfire?
Keep your foot on the gas pedal as it starts up. Once it’s up, press the accelerator down as hard as you can. This should cause the car to backfire.
How do you backfire?
There is nervousness in military circles that such a war could backfire disastrously. However, just a few days later the aircraft suffered serious damage following a fire started by an engine backfire. My legs were JeIl-O when I walked away from them, and a passing car’s backfire nearly stopped my heart.
Is a backfire bad?
Backfires and afterfires are worth paying attention to since they can cause engine damage, power loss, and decreased fuel efficiency. There’s a variety of factors that can cause your car to backfire, but the most common ones are having a poor air to fuel ratio, a misfiring spark plug, or good old-fashioned bad timing.
What does car backfiring mean?
An engine backfire is what occurs when the combustion event takes place outside the engine’s combustion cylinders. If the timing of the spark is a bit too late in the engine cycle, unburnt fuel and air may be allowed to flow through the exhaust.
What does a backfire sound like?
Backfiring can sound like a throaty gurgle or a mild popping. However, if you hear what sounds like a loud firecracker exploding under your hood or coming from the tailpipe (and maybe see a flame!), that indicates there’s a problem.
Is backfire bad?
What causes backfire through throttle body?
Backfiring during acceleration occurs when ignition takes place in the intake or exhaust instead of the combustion chamber. Backfiring during acceleration can also be caused by internal carburetor problems, low compression, leaks in the fuel tank, lean engine conditions, and weak or broken valve springs.
Is backfiring bad for the engine?
An engine backfire occurs whenever the air-fuel mixture in your car combusts somewhere outside the engine’s cylinders. This can cause damage to your car’s exhaust or intake if left unchecked — and it also means that your car’s engine isn’t making as much power as it should, and is wasting lots of fuel.
What is backfiring of an engine caused by?
A backfire can be caused either by ignition that happens with an exhaust valve open or unburnt fuel making its way in the hot exhaust system. A visible flame may momentarily shoot out of the exhaust pipe. A backfire is often a sign that the engine is improperly-tuned.
What does the backfiring and popping noises mean?
Backfires are always accompanied by a loud, popping sound and many a times with a visible flame , referred to as the after-fire. This after-fire is a by-product of backfiring through the exhaust, something that was a common sight in older car models.
What does backfire mean?
Definition of backfire (Entry 2 of 2) 1 : a loud noise caused by the improperly timed explosion of fuel mixture in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine. 2 : a fire started to check an advancing fire by clearing an area.