Engine Intake backfires

Intake backfires

I know it sounds wierd but when starting the car I keep hearing a popping sound. I took off the intake and had my dad start the car and it was backfiring out of the throttle body. I haven't heard of anything like this. .... do you guys know what could be wrong?

What year/model?

Does the car drive ok otherwise? Is it JUST a starting problem? Does it lack power, run funny - any other oddities??

Backfires are usually due to timing, specifically, timing that is too far retarded.

If it's a 1ZZ, I'm clueless as far as this goes b/c timing is by a chain, which typically doesn't slip and spark timing is by the computer, so no moving parts to be out of adjustment. Could be the VVT-i acting up? Dunno.

Trav

The car is a 1990 honda civic....80k miles original engine D15A3.... Timing belt replaced 15k ago and no probs till now....engine having hard time starting and then very rough when given gas...when engine idles it is very smooth but dies after about a minute. Fairly new spark plugs..about 2k ago. It takes almost the same amount of time trying to turn the engine over and over again for it to finely ignite. Almost sounds like it is waiting for the right ignition timing. Not sure what to do next. Please help