How do you stop your 2003 Mitsubishi lancer from backfiring?

Answer 1

Exhaust system backfires occur in engines that have an emission system malfunction, like an air injection system diverter valve problem, an exhaust leak, or when the catalytic converter has been removed. In some high-performance vehicles, when a driver shifts up and lets off the accelerator, the engine has a moment of running rich. This causes an incomplete burn which causes the fumes to explode in the exhaust system along with an audible clacking sound. However this condition is a result of working smog equipment, and is unlikely to cause any damage.

A fuel injected engine may backfire if an intake leak is present (causing the engine to run lean), or a fuel injection component such as an air-flow sensor is defective.

Common causes of backfires are:

• Poor or unregulated engine timing is often a cause of intake backfires, but can also be responsible for exhaust backfires
• Improper wiring in the ignition can also lead to timing issues and backfires
• Low fuel pressure, clogged fuel filters, and weak fuel pumps could cause a severe lean air-to-fuel ratio during fuel injection
• Missing or damaged catalytic converter can result in backfires out the tailpipe

Courtesy of: Wiki

I dont know that much about cars, but when my friends Mustang backfired, there was a timing issue in his engine which also affected his speedometer! But his car is a 1980! LOL! So I would get it looked at!