2000 Grand Prix backfire. Oops

[72mino]

I tried to get my cousin's GP started to get it to my house to diagnose a noise (brakes or wheel bearings). Battery wouldn't take a charge, would turn over a bit slow with the charger/jump stater hooked up. I decided to try some starting fluid... Any idea what starting fluid + backfire + plastic UIM equals

[BNaylor]

Some backfire is normal in this condition. The backfire is of concern when the UIM plenum blows up goes into pieces.

To start you should get the battery checked out.

[richtazz]

The UIM explosion risk is why I never use starting fluid in an air-only intake. For testing purposes, I use WD-40 or some other flammable spray lubricant which is less volatile than starting fluid but flammable enough to fire the engine.

[CrazyHorst]

Good idea to check the B+ connection to the battery - check the face of the ring-terminal and also take off the red protective rubber boot to make sure the crimp to the wire still has good integrity.

Be careful with the bolt torque as the threads go into a lead (Pb) pocket.

[72mino]

Sounds like I'm not the first person to ever blow up an UIM, I just wish I had heard of it before I tried starting fluid.

BNaylor - I appreciate the advise, but I already knew the proper way to get it running, I just tried a shortcut to get it to my house where I have tools. The shortcut backfired on me (pun intended).

richtazz - I didn't even think about trying WD40, but I will from now on.

CrazyHorst - I'll check out the connections, but I think the battery is just shot. It doesn't seem to be holding any charge at all, but I also haven't check the water level in the battery.

Thanks for all your replies. I have the parts on the way, and I'll check the water level in the battery, connections, and throw a trickle charger on it for a couple of days to see what happens.


Dustin

[tblake]

Did you blow up the intake, or did it just backfire?