Need help with MR2

[ali321]

Hey guys, I have a 88 MR2 that's not starting. The person I bought it from said it was the fuel pump so I replaced that. Also found the ignition coil was missing and bought a new one. Now I've tested it and it has both spark and fuel coming in. It backfires only once in a while though not sure why. The rest of the time it just cranks and doesn't start. I was thinking it's the timing but my friend was wondering why the engine only backfires once in a while. I was hoping to get someone to do a outcall to check it out but not break the bank. Can you guys recommend anyone?

Thank you

[SpuGen]

Have you replaced your plug wires + plugs?
How old is the battery?

[godwin]

Go to BCMR2 group.

Backfire could be fuel built up and it ignites..

You have bought the car, you have to break the bank now.

[duy-]

off the top of my head, if you get fuel and spark then its timing. the 4age distributor timing is stupid, did anyone play around with that before you started? other than that it could be timing off the timing belt, its a non interference engine so if you screw up, it just misfires, stumbles or doesnt start. either way i doubt its going to be an expensive fix, unless its the ECU

[bcrdukes]

See if you can borrow somebody else's AFM. I don't know if the AFMs are all the same across all MR2s of that generation but preferably from somebody who has a supercharged model.

I recall that AFM being wonky when I owned the car. I had to open it up and turn that dial a click or two but DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK.