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What could be the cause of my car backfiring and stalling when I put it into gear?I have a high mileage car that recently had a starter replaced. The mechanic says I'm losing pressure in one of my valves (so I guess that's like saying I ain't hittin on all 6 cylinders). For a while, I've not had much power on acceleration which I am attributing to the valve that is losing pressure, but I had not had a problem with stalling until this past Saturday. Chronology: Saturday a week ago--filled up tank with gasSunday a week ago--drove to church with no problemMonday a week ago--drove an errand in the rain with no problem (between Monday and Tuesday we had over 5 1/2 rain)(did not drive the car anywhere till Saturday)Saturday--car was very reluctant to start, and once it didstart, it stalled out on me about 8 times over the course of a 9 mile round trip.(What was a bummer was that I missed getting together with a friend this past Monday because of the transportation issues. aarrrrghhh.)Now the reason I even mentioned the rain was because years ago I drove a VW beetle that would get moisture under the distributor cap after a rain and wouldn't want to start until that moisture was wiped out, BUT our mechanic didn't think the rain had anything to do with my issues with this car.Darling husband drove the car a little this past Sunday afternoon to see what was happening. He said it drove fine (except for stalling once ).I was going to drive it around a little Sunday evening (not knowing he had apparently already tried) and it stalled a couple of times in the drive, so I didn't even try to take it up the street.Monday morning I did drive it up the street and back, but then it seemed very reluctant to start again the second time I tried to crank it.Darling husband drove it to the garage today, mechanic took it for a test drive. Other than being reluctant to start, they claimed it was driving like it always has.I'm not confident I should trust it on a long trip.

Definitely sounds like an ignition problem. A faulty valve seat that allows poor compression would deliver more consistent problems than what you are experiencing. The problem could be with the ignition system itself or the spark plug wires cross firing.

Thanks for the suggestions.

If it is dark at your house (no street lights) just after dark you could start it up with the hood raised and see if you could see any arc-s. That could eliminate the outside chance they are cross firing.With the 'newer cars' (after 1980) I am about lost. Too much electronics in the firing system and timing. BUT any mechanic should have noticed that right away. Maybe it was something to do with moisture (humidity). If it is stalling less and less.One more thing, you just may have picked up a bad load of gas. A can of the hi octane additive would clear that , but it would have to be running or driven a good bit to get it cleared up. Personally I do not think a valve would make it lose a LOT of power (backfire yes, but stall and loss of poser in my opinion, NO). I just had one replaced in our diesel and it is impossible to tell any difference except the engine no longer throws out a lot of smoke.A broken valve could cause it, but you, and especially the mech, would definitely hear it.I would say take a hair dryer to it, but I would not not know where to say point it. Most likely any moisture problem should have been dispelled with the 9 mile trip.Auto problems are no fun. Hope you get it cleared up... Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Sounds like the Chief an the Mechanic is tryin to pull one over on ya, Miss Bonnie.

Aye, the simple compression check would eliminate or stongly Yes valve or ring problems.However if he did not feel the loss of power and it did not back fire on his test drive, he probably just assumed all is really well, just someone paranoid. (but he does not know Bonnie!)I really do hope it is something simple like moisture! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

The valve problem is already a given. We know I have been having a valve problem (but I had not had a problem with stalling prior to last Saturday).Yeah, the mechanic had suggested I find a car like mine and buy the motor for my car. It seemed like a joke because my car body has a dent from a deer collision,

I've been sitting here reading the phrase run more over and over. It finally dawned on me you are talking about costs. I guess I was hitting a mental block because I really want a car that runs, lol. I was thinking run more was a good thing. I think I'm headed out to Pikeville to see if I can find Clem. If he likes playing horseshoes, I might not come back to NC.

or an exhaust leak...

Possible..M Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/