How do you know if your engine is Pinging?

[neut]

Hi! just wondering how do you know that ur engine is pinging?? does anyone have a specific link of this sound? can using wrong spark plugs cause the engine to ping? thanks.

[STiR]

Some people claim to be able to hear it. I find that difficult with road noise, loud intake and exhausts etc. Your check engine light will come on if there is significantly harmful knocking/pinging occurring in your engine. There is an excellent device called 'Knocklink' which uses a bosch donut sensor (essentially a microphone) which is fitted to your block, connected to a series of green/red LEDs that will light up according to knock levels. Effectively used by many many modified EVO/WRX owners, highly recommend it if your car is modified.

[bennjamin]

Your check engine light will come on if there is significantly harmful knocking/pinging occurring in your engine

Only on cars with a knock sensor ~

"pinging" can be heard on many cars around the streets , a prime example is cars that are generally older ( +10years) and not taken care off. You can hear them as the person driving under load , up hill or too much accel. makes a "rattle" noise as they go past.

if you are worried about "pinging" - put a higher octane fuel in your car. Or reduce the timing of the distributor. OR both

[aaronng]

If you use spark plugs that are of hotter heat range than stock, couple that with low octane fuel, that can cause pinging.

[STiR]

Only on cars with a knock sensor ~

"pinging" can be heard on many cars around the streets , a prime example is cars that are generally older ( +10years) and not taken care off. You can hear them as the person driving under load , up hill or too much accel. makes a "rattle" noise as they go past.

if you are worried about "pinging" - put a higher octane fuel in your car. Or reduce the timing of the distributor. OR both

Naturally, i was talking more to this fellow about his car. Good point about those going uphill, it is important that you select the correct gear when you decide to plant your foot because you will find as your engine is laboring knock levels will increase. Don't be afraid to use enough revs...

[bennjamin]

yup nothing worse hearing a car close to you , flooring 4th gear up hill at 40km/h. The thing sounds like its going to blow up. Usually a charade / festiva / old ford driver.

[teh_mechanic]

the closest thing that pinging sounds like is a diesel engine.
you know that low down knocka knocka knock knock
if your engine is pinging,you will hear this pinging noise easiest by putting your car in 3rd or 4th at about 30km/h and putting the accelerator all to the floor.
try to get it so the car isnt jumping and making noise,its just under a heap of load,struggling to accelerate but not getting anywhere.
if you hear the diesel kind of noise coming from your engine,you are pinging.aarrghghgh

[blackshadow42]

Hi! just wondering how do you know that ur engine is pinging?? does anyone have a specific link of this sound? can using wrong spark plugs cause the engine to ping? thanks.

if your car pinging, just change your exhaust to a bigger and louder...then you won't be able to hear the pinging anymore...hauhauahuaa....

nahh...joking man...Yeah usually up hill you can hear it straight away. even in 1st gear you can hear rattling...

[trism]

look at its headlights.

if its pupils have gone massive, you know its pinging

[Spicey]

Pinking is easy to hear if you don't have a stupidly loud exhaust or stereo.

It sounds like a rock rattling around in the engine. Its also called 'Detonation, Knocking or pre-ignition'

Speaking from experience it can be *very* harmful to your engine so if its doing it get it checked out ASAP.

Late model electronic ignition cars usually have a "knock sensor" that detects knock and adjusts spark timing to eliminate it, hence another reason why higher octane fuels should be used in engines. Higher octane fuel is less prone to pinking so the ecu can keep the timing where it should be, creating the most power not all over the place trying to stop knocking.

One of my old V8 Fords pinks quite bad on regular or poor quality fuel, but runs perfect on premium unleaded. Fuel does make a big difference for pinking. But if your late model "computer controlled" engine is still pinking on good quality fuel, I would be getting it to a mechanic quick-smart.

[Mr_will]

Pinking is easy to hear if you don't have a stupidly loud exhaust or stereo.

It sounds like a rock rattling around in the engine. Its also called 'Detonation, Knocking or pre-ignition'

Speaking from experience it can be *very* harmful to your engine so if its doing it get it checked out ASAP.

Late model electronic ignition cars usually have a "knock sensor" that detects knock and adjusts spark timing to eliminate it, hence another reason why higher octane fuels should be used in engines. Higher octane fuel is less prone to pinking so the ecu can keep the timing where it should be, creating the most power not all over the place trying to stop knocking.

One of my old V8 Fords pinks quite bad on regular or poor quality fuel, but runs perfect on premium unleaded. Fuel does make a big difference for pinking. But if your late model "computer controlled" engine is still pinking on good quality fuel, I would be getting it to a mechanic quick-smart.

its pinging, rather than pinking

[STiR]

In UK they also refer to pinging or knocking or detonation as pinking...