I am/was getting backfire on my Phoenix 200. I have a 2006, and supposedly that issue was with 2005 and newer, but it happens on mine when releasing throttle from WO… After reading about the ETC, I open the cap to the ETC, and put a shim in there so the contactors don’t touch, and BINGO it fixed the issue…. these has to be the cheapest fix I have ever done – 2 cents for a piece of plastic, and 5 minutes for labor. Engine purrs like a kitten, and no backfire on deceleration. I know this is a somewhat of a safety issue, because if the throttle breaks it’s suppose make the contactors touch each other causing the engine to go idle speed, but I’ll have to take the chance… I’d rather not having the backfire issue… can’t b too good for the engine.

Does backfiring ruin an engine?