Pinking under load?

sjb · 07-02-2013, 08:34 AM

On the journey home after picking up my new CSL I noticed that when in a low gear (probably too low a gear-I was taking it easy) there is a 'pink' or 'pinging' depending on how you say it. It only does it for a second and at a certain load I guess. It only happens when I probably should be in one gear higher and when there's a load on the engine like a hill. No matter if I should be in another gear it obviously shouldn't be doing this anyway....even if it is slight and very brief, I can remember my Dad's old cortina 2000E pinking all the way up hills

it's not like that. The seller put a quarter of a tank of fuel in so I initially thought he may have put supermarket crap in there so brimmed it with v-power and it's made a difference, does the ecu have ro re-adjust to different octane fuels over time? a long shot I know

What should I do next? I'm taking it easy and not loading the engine now anyway and keeping the revs up so I don't get it. It would be nice if it was something simple like plugs or the coil but I think it's going to have to plugged in and diagnosed???

It does a rather comprehensive 6 month warranty but it would be s shame if I have to go that route already.

Cheers in advance, Shawn.

sjb · 07-02-2013, 08:45 AM

Forgot to add there's no engine management lights on whatsoever to say it's showing a fault

sjb · 07-02-2013, 11:39 AM

Well after speaking with the seller he did indeed have 95 octane standard fuel put in to give me a bit to get home with. He also says to run through the tank and then brim it again with super unleaded and hopefully it will sort itself out.
Does anybody agree with this?
Don't make me have to ask the 'professionals' on cutters

Bounce · 07-02-2013, 11:48 AM

Any pinking and I would get a compression test done,a few on here have had the HG fail.on rare occasions when I have had to use 95 fuel I've had no pinking issues,maybe coils but management light usually comes on.

sjb · 07-02-2013, 11:54 AM

Bugger. I must admit I chucked a bit of el cheapo fuel in the old m3 to get me to the seller and it didn't pink.
I will take a look in the expansion tank for oil and the oil filler cap for white condensation too.
Is it a relatively simple task to do a compression test? Main dealer I guess?
Thanks for the help

Bounce · 07-02-2013, 12:05 PM

Don't know that it shows as water in the oil in the filler cap.somone will be along shortly who has had it done and help you out.

Bounce · 07-02-2013, 12:07 PM

If its from a dealer he should put this right for you anyway.

_Nathan_ · 07-02-2013, 01:29 PM

"It only happens when I probably should be in one gear higher and when there's a load on the engine like a hill"

But a lower gear would be less load on the engine?

dave wilkinson · 07-02-2013, 01:45 PM

the vanos unit does alter timing slighty when running low octane fuel. it could cause pinking but its unlikely. fingers crossed for you tho

more than likely head gasket, get a compression test done. from my experience they normally go between cylinders 1 and 2 or 5 and 6. its important you get the compression test done but someone who knows what there doing. for example if they don't remove all the plugs and do a compression test one by one it will still show good compression because the gasket blows between the cylinders. there not a bad job to do if taking a indie budget about a grand.

if you've just bought it have a word with the seller as i'm quessing he may know about this already

sjb · 07-02-2013, 02:21 PM

Cheers all, I got the low/high gear wrong, if im in 4th and it pinks i change down to 3rd etc!!

Emissions light now on...... dealer is aware and says he is willing to help.....

07-02-2013, 08:34 AM	#1
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Pinking under load? On the journey home after picking up my new CSL I noticed that when in a low gear (probably too low a gear-I was taking it easy) there is a 'pink' or 'pinging' depending on how you say it. It only does it for a second and at a certain load I guess. It only happens when I probably should be in one gear higher and when there's a load on the engine like a hill. No matter if I should be in another gear it obviously shouldn't be doing this anyway....even if it is slight and very brief, I can remember my Dad's old cortina 2000E pinking all the way up hills it's not like that. The seller put a quarter of a tank of fuel in so I initially thought he may have put supermarket crap in there so brimmed it with v-power and it's made a difference, does the ecu have ro re-adjust to different octane fuels over time? a long shot I know What should I do next? I'm taking it easy and not loading the engine now anyway and keeping the revs up so I don't get it. It would be nice if it was something simple like plugs or the coil but I think it's going to have to plugged in and diagnosed??? It does a rather comprehensive 6 month warranty but it would be s shame if I have to go that route already. Cheers in advance, Shawn.

07-02-2013, 01:29 PM	#8
_Nathan_ Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,099 Casino cash: $13060	"It only happens when I probably should be in one gear higher and when there's a load on the engine like a hill" But a lower gear would be less load on the engine? __________________ Nathan

07-02-2013, 08:45 AM	#2
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Forgot to add there's no engine management lights on whatsoever to say it's showing a fault

07-02-2013, 11:39 AM	#3
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Well after speaking with the seller he did indeed have 95 octane standard fuel put in to give me a bit to get home with. He also says to run through the tank and then brim it again with super unleaded and hopefully it will sort itself out. Does anybody agree with this? Don't make me have to ask the 'professionals' on cutters

07-02-2013, 11:48 AM	#4
Bounce CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 7,057 Casino cash: $35793	Any pinking and I would get a compression test done,a few on here have had the HG fail.on rare occasions when I have had to use 95 fuel I've had no pinking issues,maybe coils but management light usually comes on.

07-02-2013, 11:54 AM	#5
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Bugger. I must admit I chucked a bit of el cheapo fuel in the old m3 to get me to the seller and it didn't pink. I will take a look in the expansion tank for oil and the oil filler cap for white condensation too. Is it a relatively simple task to do a compression test? Main dealer I guess? Thanks for the help

07-02-2013, 12:05 PM	#6
Bounce CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 7,057 Casino cash: $35793	Don't know that it shows as water in the oil in the filler cap.somone will be along shortly who has had it done and help you out.

07-02-2013, 12:07 PM	#7
Bounce CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 7,057 Casino cash: $35793	If its from a dealer he should put this right for you anyway.

07-02-2013, 01:45 PM	#9
dave wilkinson S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 252 Casino cash: $6129	the vanos unit does alter timing slighty when running low octane fuel. it could cause pinking but its unlikely. fingers crossed for you tho more than likely head gasket, get a compression test done. from my experience they normally go between cylinders 1 and 2 or 5 and 6. its important you get the compression test done but someone who knows what there doing. for example if they don't remove all the plugs and do a compression test one by one it will still show good compression because the gasket blows between the cylinders. there not a bad job to do if taking a indie budget about a grand. if you've just bought it have a word with the seller as i'm quessing he may know about this already

07-02-2013, 02:21 PM	#10
sjb S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brighton. Posts: 372 Casino cash: $6192	Cheers all, I got the low/high gear wrong, if im in 4th and it pinks i change down to 3rd etc!! Emissions light now on...... dealer is aware and says he is willing to help.....