Recently, my Proton Satria started making a weird engine sound. It wasn’t just a minor hiccup—it sounded like a popping or burbling noise coming from the exhaust. It reminded me of the famous Subaru boxer engine rumble. But of course, my Satria isn’t a Subaru. Something was clearly wrong.
At first, I suspected misfiring. That’s usually caused by faulty ignition cables or spark plugs. So, I swapped out both with working replacements. Unfortunately, the problem didn’t go away. In fact, the popping sound stayed exactly the same.
Replacing Parts to Eliminate the Weird Engine Sound
Because the issue remained, I went further. I had some time over the holidays, so I decided to revert everything back to stock. That included the turbo, exhaust manifold, throttle body, ignition cables, and even the ECU.
After replacing all those components, I started the engine again—hoping for a smooth idle. Sadly, the weird engine sound still persisted. The popping continued with the same rhythm, and the engine just didn’t feel right.
Could It Be Ignition Timing?
While trying to figure things out, I also took a look at my boost meter. That’s when I noticed something strange. The needle was jumping around instead of holding steady. That kind of erratic behavior might indicate an ignition timing issue.
At this point, I couldn’t solve the issue alone. I needed to do more tests or send it to a trusted garage. Maybe an overhaul is on the cards if things turn out to be serious. But before that, I want to identify the exact problem to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Final Thoughts and a Call for Help
So far, my Satria still runs with this annoying weird engine sound. I’ve done everything I could on my own—replaced parts, reverted to stock, and listened closely for clues. Yet, the problem lingers.
If you’ve experienced something similar—or if you know what could cause this type of misfire and popping—I’d really appreciate your help. Please feel free to drop me an email or leave a comment.
Also, I’ve recorded two short videos to show the exhaust sound and boost meter behavior. Maybe they’ll help others recognize the symptoms.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for updates as I try to get my Satria back in perfect shape!
