Another 2.3 ping/spark knock thread

cstarbard · Aug 22, 2018

Hey guys,

My spark knock is back with a vengeance. :bawling:

It is now at the point where even on a tank of high octane, it still knocks, which it did not do before.

I had my scanner plugged in watching some live data and the timing advance was pretty normal, but I did notice the fuel trim varried from +3 to +8, hanging about half the time at 3 and half the time at 8.

What does this mean to you? My understanding is that this means the computer is trying to add fuel. Does that mean I could be running lean, hence knock is back?

I have no CEL, havent had one for weeks since fixing my P1443 code.

Thanks

Dirtman · Aug 22, 2018

The engine is not running lean, even if it had a lean code. A lean code or positive fuel trim means the computer is adding more fuel than its calculations think it should need in order for it to NOT run lean. A +3 fuel trim isnt even something to bat an eye at. That's as close to perfect as you can hope for. When you start seeing plus or minus 20 then theres an issue.

tomw · Aug 23, 2018

Have you tried an 'Italian tune-up'? Sometimes you'll get carbon deposits in the combustion chamber that will cause pinging. And, sometimes, hard acceleration or staying in a lower gear longer(increased rpms) will help rid the chamber of said deposits.
I would also consider using a Windex-type sprayer to squirt some plain water into the intake with the engine running at fast idle. You'll have to use the throttle to keep it running, but you do not want to add a 'slug' of water, just a mist. Well maybe a bit more than a mist, but don't go overboard. The water will get flashed to steam in the engine, and have a cleaning effect on the chamber & piston.
It would not hurt to check the oil level as a lowered oil level will increase the engine temperature a bit.
tom

cstarbard · Aug 23, 2018

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info on fuel trim.

Tom I have not tried what you are describing, I've been too afraid to try water. I have triple seafoamed it several times, and run many cans through the fuel system, but I haven't done that in a few months. It did help a bit last time the knock got bad so I'm going to be religious about the seafoam for a bit again and let you guys know how that works out

I did not think about oil level, luckily I check it at least every two days and it doesn't lose or burn any that is noticeable on the dipstick in 5000 miles so I suppose that should be ruled out?

cstarbard · Sep 3, 2018

Just to update this thread:

I put two bottles of seafoam into my tank yesterday right before fill up, and then drove home and did two runs of seafoam through the intake, and with 1/2 tank of regular and 1/2 of premium, I have no spark knock. Which is a good sign. Because the spark knock ebbs and flows as I try to attack it, but it was getting to the point again where even with a thorough coolant flush, it was starting to knock on anything other than full tank of just premium.

I plan on trying regular for the whole tank next fill up, will let you know how that goes.

Hopefully carbon buildup is just my issue.

Another 2.3 ping/spark knock thread

cstarbard

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Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion

tomw

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cstarbard

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cstarbard

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