Knock Knock Ping Ping ... who's there ?

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Topic author
Water Boy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 389
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:28 pm
Location: Canton/Holly Springs GA (Atlanta)

Knock Knock Ping Ping ... who's there ?

Post by Water Boy »

Been having a lot of problems with knocking under anything but idle. Checked the timing, was at zero*. Even using mid-grade gas. Already changed out the knock sensor. And recently put in new cap; rotor; plugs; Summit Hi-output coil and 8.5mm wires.

Changed the timing to 2*-3* after zero. Much better but I can still hear the knocking sometimes. Not nearly as bad as before. I'm afraid to go back to reg-gas. My wallet sure could use the break. I fill up 2-3 times a week.

I kinda thought that the timing chain was getting loose and causing spark scatter. Well, the timing mark is rock solid steady.

Any thoughts out there ? ? ?
I was told getting my beauty sleep was a waste of time.

1990 Astro (Z motor) mostly original @ 343,584 miles (552,944.8488960001 Canadian) (03/2008). Bad startup puff. Starting to spray for skeeters. Gone 06/07/08.
1993 Astro with a bad W motor. Parked next to a chicken coop in Talking Rock GA
I'm 'tween Canton and Holly Springs (North NorthWest of Atlanta GA)
I haul bottled water everyday- between 500 and 2500 pounds (226.796185 and 1,133.980925 Canadian) INSIDE the van.

Matrixx
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:20 pm

Post by Matrixx »

Hi WaterBoy
Hmmm, pinging,knocking. Plugged PCV Valve, Worn Timing chain, Bad Gas (regardless of octane), To much carbon build up in the motor (piston, valves). A cheap way to figure this out is run 92+ for a while in it, at least 2 tank fulls and see what happens after that. Just a thought. :)
96 Safari-500,000 Kilometers-92 Octane (Chevron)-Original Motor-Transmission-Cat-EGR-Starter-O2 Sensors Except 1-AirCared-Synthetic Blend in Engine and Transmission (Castrol Syntec for both) 3.73 Limited Slip rear end (Full Synthetic/Royal Purple 75/90w)-Michelin Latitudes (P215/75-15)&Munro Sensa-Trac shocks.

Topic author
Water Boy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 389
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:28 pm
Location: Canton/Holly Springs GA (Atlanta)

Post by Water Boy »

M~

A) I checked the PVC. OK.
B) If the timing chain was worn, I would be getting spark scatter with the timing light. But I'm not.
C) Don't think it is the gas. Many tank fulls from various stations.
D) Carbon. Possible.
E) Could give it a try on the 92+ hi-test.
I was told getting my beauty sleep was a waste of time.

1990 Astro (Z motor) mostly original @ 343,584 miles (552,944.8488960001 Canadian) (03/2008). Bad startup puff. Starting to spray for skeeters. Gone 06/07/08.
1993 Astro with a bad W motor. Parked next to a chicken coop in Talking Rock GA
I'm 'tween Canton and Holly Springs (North NorthWest of Atlanta GA)
I haul bottled water everyday- between 500 and 2500 pounds (226.796185 and 1,133.980925 Canadian) INSIDE the van.

skippy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 717
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:46 pm
Location: schenectady NY

Post by skippy »

did you check the EGR valve , if it's stuck or clogged it will cause pinging . go ahead ask me how i know !!! #-o #-o #-o
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.


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Smiliesafari
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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knock, knock, ping, ping.

Post by Smiliesafari »

A carbon deposit that is glowing red will ignite the fuel out of sequence. A carbon deposit that is large enough to make contact with a piston will also make a knocking noise. A cure that I've used is to dribble some water into the intake manifold while the engine is running. The combustion temperatures will turn the water into super heated steam and it will clean out the deposites.
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Smiliesafari
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Posts: 2667
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Location: Orlando, FL

knock, knock, ping, ping.

Post by Smiliesafari »

A carbon deposit that is glowing red will ignite the fuel out of sequence. A carbon deposit that is large enough to make contact with a piston will also make a knocking noise. A cure that I've used is to dribble some water into the intake manifold while the engine is running. The combustion temperatures will turn the water into super heated steam and it will clean out the deposits.

Topic author
Water Boy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 389
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:28 pm
Location: Canton/Holly Springs GA (Atlanta)

Post by Water Boy »

skippy wrote:did you check the EGR valve , if it's stuck or clogged it will cause pinging . go ahead ask me how i know !!! #-o #-o #-o
I'm askin'....
I was told getting my beauty sleep was a waste of time.

1990 Astro (Z motor) mostly original @ 343,584 miles (552,944.8488960001 Canadian) (03/2008). Bad startup puff. Starting to spray for skeeters. Gone 06/07/08.
1993 Astro with a bad W motor. Parked next to a chicken coop in Talking Rock GA
I'm 'tween Canton and Holly Springs (North NorthWest of Atlanta GA)
I haul bottled water everyday- between 500 and 2500 pounds (226.796185 and 1,133.980925 Canadian) INSIDE the van.

Topic author
Water Boy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 389
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:28 pm
Location: Canton/Holly Springs GA (Atlanta)

Post by Water Boy »

How the 2 worst plugs looked.
Image

Image
I was told getting my beauty sleep was a waste of time.

1990 Astro (Z motor) mostly original @ 343,584 miles (552,944.8488960001 Canadian) (03/2008). Bad startup puff. Starting to spray for skeeters. Gone 06/07/08.
1993 Astro with a bad W motor. Parked next to a chicken coop in Talking Rock GA
I'm 'tween Canton and Holly Springs (North NorthWest of Atlanta GA)
I haul bottled water everyday- between 500 and 2500 pounds (226.796185 and 1,133.980925 Canadian) INSIDE the van.

Matrixx
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:20 pm

Post by Matrixx »

Hi Water Boy
Are those the correct plugs for that motor? They look abit cold.
Yes they are in bad shape. Have you considered Platinum plugs? Also might I suggest testing your plug wires for resistance and Spark from the coil. if you have a weak coil it won't light the plugs properly either. Hopefully your van is running better now. :)
96 Safari-500,000 Kilometers-92 Octane (Chevron)-Original Motor-Transmission-Cat-EGR-Starter-O2 Sensors Except 1-AirCared-Synthetic Blend in Engine and Transmission (Castrol Syntec for both) 3.73 Limited Slip rear end (Full Synthetic/Royal Purple 75/90w)-Michelin Latitudes (P215/75-15)&Munro Sensa-Trac shocks.

Topic author
Water Boy
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 389
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:28 pm
Location: Canton/Holly Springs GA (Atlanta)

Post by Water Boy »

M~
Those I pulled when I recently did a tune up. At that time I also installed a new cap and rotor. As well as new Hi-output coil and 8.5mm wires. Those are the correct AcDelco plugs as per the book.

Have not looked at the plugs since the tuneup.

As to running now?
Still getting some knock but not nearly as bad before it changed the timing.
I was told getting my beauty sleep was a waste of time.

1990 Astro (Z motor) mostly original @ 343,584 miles (552,944.8488960001 Canadian) (03/2008). Bad startup puff. Starting to spray for skeeters. Gone 06/07/08.
1993 Astro with a bad W motor. Parked next to a chicken coop in Talking Rock GA
I'm 'tween Canton and Holly Springs (North NorthWest of Atlanta GA)
I haul bottled water everyday- between 500 and 2500 pounds (226.796185 and 1,133.980925 Canadian) INSIDE the van.

tripplec
I am smitten with my van
I am smitten with my van
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:31 pm

Re: knock, knock, ping, ping.

Post by tripplec »

Smiliesafari wrote:A carbon deposit that is glowing red will ignite the fuel out of sequence. A cure that I've used is to dribble some water into the intake manifold while the engine is running. The combustion temperatures will turn the water into super heated steam and it will clean out the deposites.
Ahh you're talking to "Waterboy", think he can get his hand on good water? Sorry I had to chuckle.. then smile almost laughed. Ironic but he if it works I'll roll over laughing.

But back to the suggestion. How would you get the water into the intake past all the intake air management? Different in the downdraft carb engines of old. Some kind of carb out like lucas fuel treatment may work.

Sorry my face is cracking (waterboy) cheers. Ha ha
Astro AWD LT 1996
315,000km,
rear leaf, tranny cooler, Hercules HP 4000 235P-70/15
CLASS III hitch
Markham, ON, Canada
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