Silverado making popping noises

[keyb_critic19]

I'm helping my coworker troubleshoot his 2005 Yamaha Star Silverado because it's popping during deceleration. He keeps asking me how a lean condition could cause unburnt fuel to ignite in the exhaust system when logic says less fuel should mean less combustion. Tbh I don't have a good explanation for him. Can someone break down the science behind this phenomenon?

 

[piperumblesociety22]

When you slow down, the engine burns fuel less fast. This makes some fuel go all the way to the exhaust pipe where it can catch fire and pop because it's still hot there. It's more about when the fuel burns, not how much there is

 

[keyb_critic19]

When you slow down, the engine burns fuel less fast. This makes some fuel go all the way to the exhaust pipe where it can catch fire and pop because it's still hot there. It's more about when the fuel burns, not how much there is

Got it, so it's more of a timing issue than just fuel quantity. Would a slightly off idle circuit or vacuum leak make that delay worse during decel? We're thinking of checking the intake boots and maybe cleaning the carbs if we don't find anything obvious. If it's just a small leak, could a quick seal job hold up for a few months or would we need to replace parts right away? Trying to keep it rideable through the season.