So in the last few days, when the car is cold, I have been getting a little bit of backfire. It happens when I lift off the gas at anything over about 4k rpm. Once the car is warm, it goes away.

It's been a while since I did a valve adjustment. So I know I need to do that.

Any other areas I should check?

Please let me know.

Thanks,
Joe

I know this sounds bizzare, but if you have one of the nuts that hold your exhaust headers onto th cylinder heads come loose, it'll cause back fires. That's the first thing I'd check.

Blown gaskets on your muffler will also cause this. Happened when I had the 1.8

check your hoses. My 1.7 would shake one loose now and then. Car would backfire till it was warm.

Good Luck

in addition to an exhaust leak......

whats your mixture look like?

Seems like I remember a leaking cold start valve will cause this problem too.

Got under the car tonight, tightened down (gently) those nuts. One was particularly loose. It seems at this point that the problem is fixed. No more little pops on over-run!!