Re: Valve pinging
A piezoelectric element in the knock sensor will sense the pinging or knocking. It will then in turn retard that particular spark coil and cylinder or cylinders to help keep it from knocking. I don't know yet if this 2.4 engine has two or four knock sensors.
I experimented with gasoline with my broke-in '03 Corolla using the scan gauge. The Corolla has a 1.8 liter engine. I ran the tank down and then bought some cheap (save-a-lot) 87 octane gas and noticed that the engine did not start or accelerate very well. Gas mileage fell about 3 gallons per tank.
I set the scan gauge to view the ignition readout. This allowed me to see the overall advance. I had a particular mile of highway with a slight upgrade so as to compare. I did remember using Chevron back then that the ignition was usually rather high advanced.
I noticed with the cheap gas (saved a dime a gallon) that the overall ignition would retard down to 17 to 21 degrees. After a few tanks of good gas I noticed that same stretch of highway the ignition would stay up to 35 to 37 degrees. From my early days of messing with gas mileage. I do know the higher the ignition the better the mpg. I do know even with good gas, its going to retard normally for lower rpm and when power is needed.
Like someone here says, be sure to use quality top-tier gas from the top tier Retailers list. I have seen some gas that can dirty up your injectors and valves. Don't use the mom and pop refinery-gas in your $25K new car. If its not on the toptiergas.com/ list, then don't buy it.
If you engine pings you might try about 4 ounces of Lucas injector cleaner or gas modifier when you fill your tank. Their may be some other good brands. I have had good luck with this one when needed. I used it on my wifes pre-owned '91 Ranger pickup. No telling what gas the original owner used. At 20,000 miles Ford said, she needed new injectors for about $250 and a $45 fuel filter plus labor. Four tanks of quality gas including the Lucas treatment cleaned them up. She routinely adds a few ounces of lucas at ever fill up. Hers is a flex fuel engine and I read the Ranger pickups have tendency to knock under a strain.
Last edited by rburt07 : 06-26-2008 at 05:48 PM.
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