SEVERE PINKING !
Discussion
Is it the weather ?
Did I put diesel in by mistake ? :yikes:
There I am, having just had a relaxing 60 mile ride down to York, car performing beautifully as always.
So, I'm about to head off back, and pull into a garage to top up with fuel (BP superunleaded stuff).
Pull out of the garage and experience terrible pinking whenever the engine is put under load! :cry: (390SE)
No signs of overheating.
Engine feels the same.
This has never happened before - not even a trace !
Topped up later with Optimax - STILL pinking !
Tomorrow I'll have a look at the plugs, and check that the distributor isn't flapping about.
I've used the search, and had a good read.
Anyone care to put in their twopenneth ?
Did I put diesel in by mistake ? :yikes:
There I am, having just had a relaxing 60 mile ride down to York, car performing beautifully as always.
So, I'm about to head off back, and pull into a garage to top up with fuel (BP superunleaded stuff).
Pull out of the garage and experience terrible pinking whenever the engine is put under load! :cry: (390SE)
No signs of overheating.
Engine feels the same.
This has never happened before - not even a trace !
Topped up later with Optimax - STILL pinking !
Tomorrow I'll have a look at the plugs, and check that the distributor isn't flapping about.
I've used the search, and had a good read.
Anyone care to put in their twopenneth ?
Had exactly the same issue with my 400 on the way to Goodwood. No pinking on Optimax, then loadsa pinking on BP Ultimate Super UL. Got so bad that I went to the BP display at Goodwood and asked the tech guy there why.
He said that UK supplies of Ultimate SUL were a bit variable. Its a lower octane number than optimax too.
He actually thought the most likely reason for the pinking would be the very powerful detergents in the BP product. He says they are the most pwerful in the industry and will clean an engine back to metal within a few thousand miles.
Since mine was only rebuilt 7k miles ago I'm a bit sceptical.
Hi did say that if you go to Germany or greece the BP (ARAL) product there is 100 octane!
Back to optimax methinks
Andy
He said that UK supplies of Ultimate SUL were a bit variable. Its a lower octane number than optimax too.
He actually thought the most likely reason for the pinking would be the very powerful detergents in the BP product. He says they are the most pwerful in the industry and will clean an engine back to metal within a few thousand miles.
Since mine was only rebuilt 7k miles ago I'm a bit sceptical.
Hi did say that if you go to Germany or greece the BP (ARAL) product there is 100 octane!
Back to optimax methinks
Andy
Thanks for the inut.
I was hoping a gentle return (60 miles) journey would have cooled the underbonnet down a bit (temperature never went above 90 during the entire trip), but pinking still loud under load.
I have used that BP Ultimate before Andy, on both of my Wedges, and ordinary unleaded without problems, but as you say, octane may vary. I'll only use Optimax for the time being. A rolling road session beckons, especially before the trip to BBWF.
Strange how it seemed to just come on like that, as if the timing had 'slipped'.
I was hoping a gentle return (60 miles) journey would have cooled the underbonnet down a bit (temperature never went above 90 during the entire trip), but pinking still loud under load.
I have used that BP Ultimate before Andy, on both of my Wedges, and ordinary unleaded without problems, but as you say, octane may vary. I'll only use Optimax for the time being. A rolling road session beckons, especially before the trip to BBWF.
Strange how it seemed to just come on like that, as if the timing had 'slipped'.
Sure it is pinking and not a blown exhaust manifold? They both produce a sharp metallic sound. If it's pinking under moderate (not full) load across a wide rev range then either it isn't really pinking, or the base ignition timing is way out, or it's suddenly running very lean indeed (in which case you may easily end up damaging the exhaust valves).
Well, it certainly sounds like pinking to me (string of loud metallic rings, which fade when throttle is eased off).
There was no sign of anything amiss until filling up in the garage (15 quids worth), where of course the car stood for a few minutes on a really hot day.
It started as soon as I pulled off the forecourt, and then I just nursed her home up the dual carriageway, not doing more than 2,500 revs.
A bit late when I got back, but on lifting the bonnet there were no odd noises or smells.
I'm waiting to take it to the guy next door, who has an old garage crypton analyser.
There was no sign of anything amiss until filling up in the garage (15 quids worth), where of course the car stood for a few minutes on a really hot day.
It started as soon as I pulled off the forecourt, and then I just nursed her home up the dual carriageway, not doing more than 2,500 revs.
A bit late when I got back, but on lifting the bonnet there were no odd noises or smells.
I'm waiting to take it to the guy next door, who has an old garage crypton analyser.
Just to update on my pinking problem.
I took the car to my neighbour (super-pistonhead), and he checked the timing, car hooked up to crypton tuner.
He found the original setting to be 14 deg btdc !!!
I settled on 6 degrees, as I almost always use Optimax.
As an aside, he reckoned the machine indicated that the engine was in really fine fettle, other than timing.
In particular, the compressions being absolutely even,
and electrics healthy.
(phew!).
Because of the horrible weather, this evening has been my first opportunity to try the car out.
Anyway, apart from one of the downpipes (I think) having a little blow, the car doesn't pink at all, but is definately down on power, feeling a bit strangled upwards of around 3,000 revs.
The leaky manifold won't help, I know.
Perhaps I should take the timing to 8 degrees ?
I haven't checked the plugs yet.
Now I'm thinking about stainless manis to match up with the zorst. I know they're dear though.
Any comments ? I'm a bit of a V8 newbie.
Edited to say - forgot to mention that the vacuum advance tubing was collapsed, so a new one was fitted.
>> Edited by grahamw48 on Thursday 7th July 22:44
I took the car to my neighbour (super-pistonhead), and he checked the timing, car hooked up to crypton tuner.
He found the original setting to be 14 deg btdc !!!
I settled on 6 degrees, as I almost always use Optimax.
As an aside, he reckoned the machine indicated that the engine was in really fine fettle, other than timing.
In particular, the compressions being absolutely even,
and electrics healthy.
(phew!).
Because of the horrible weather, this evening has been my first opportunity to try the car out.
Anyway, apart from one of the downpipes (I think) having a little blow, the car doesn't pink at all, but is definately down on power, feeling a bit strangled upwards of around 3,000 revs.
The leaky manifold won't help, I know.
Perhaps I should take the timing to 8 degrees ?
I haven't checked the plugs yet.
Now I'm thinking about stainless manis to match up with the zorst. I know they're dear though.
Any comments ? I'm a bit of a V8 newbie.
Edited to say - forgot to mention that the vacuum advance tubing was collapsed, so a new one was fitted.
>> Edited by grahamw48 on Thursday 7th July 22:44
Thanks for the input guys.
Yes, I think a bit of advance is definately called for now.
On a positive note, the popping and banging on overrun is superb !
oh - forgot to mention, tallbloke, I'm wanting to take the car to a rolling road before BBWF.
Can you recommend anywhere within a hundred miles of Stockton on Tees ?
>> Edited by grahamw48 on Thursday 7th July 23:28
Yes, I think a bit of advance is definately called for now.
On a positive note, the popping and banging on overrun is superb !
oh - forgot to mention, tallbloke, I'm wanting to take the car to a rolling road before BBWF.
Can you recommend anywhere within a hundred miles of Stockton on Tees ?
>> Edited by grahamw48 on Thursday 7th July 23:28
Hi Graham !
Your (our) lovely car is fine.
It hadn't pinked before putting some BP ultra in at the service station near Poppleton.
I've got the timing at 8deg now (assuming marks are accurate.)
Originally checked it on a Crypton machine, which showed 14deg.
All seems ok now, but I feel she's a little down on power compared to before the changes, so may try another degree or two of advance,
or preferably get her on a rolling road when I've time.
Your (our) lovely car is fine.
It hadn't pinked before putting some BP ultra in at the service station near Poppleton.
I've got the timing at 8deg now (assuming marks are accurate.)
Originally checked it on a Crypton machine, which showed 14deg.
All seems ok now, but I feel she's a little down on power compared to before the changes, so may try another degree or two of advance,
or preferably get her on a rolling road when I've time.
Just waiting for new rear tyres to be delivered,
and then it's down to BBWF.
Wedg1e reckons she's quicker than his, and tauter all round.
I must say, that for a drophead sports car she has a beautiful ride, and is totally rattlefree.
The suspension must be really well set up.
It's about time I sorted out the 280's (brand new) adjustable underpinnings to give similar ride and handling qualities.
Trouble is, I've been having to work extra hard so I can afford to buy a round at BBWF.
That in itself will be a small miracle.
and then it's down to BBWF.
Wedg1e reckons she's quicker than his, and tauter all round.
I must say, that for a drophead sports car she has a beautiful ride, and is totally rattlefree.
The suspension must be really well set up.
It's about time I sorted out the 280's (brand new) adjustable underpinnings to give similar ride and handling qualities.
Trouble is, I've been having to work extra hard so I can afford to buy a round at BBWF.
That in itself will be a small miracle.
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