2007-09-07 23:58:51 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
in reply to the amercans who have answered (no offence) in England the lowest fuel octane rating sold is 92 octane - which is perfectly adequate for a vectra -so no additive is needed.
I am assuming you are talking about a petrol car - because diesels work by "pinking" because they are compression ignition so this is normal.
"Pinking" or detonation is caused by the fuel/air charge igniting at the wrong time in the cycle, and not under control - ie when the ECU tells the spark plugs when to fire.
I am assuming you haven't tried to modify your engine - fitted turbo/supercharger, Nitrous, increased compression ratio - all of which will increase chances of detonation?
Has any work been done on the engine recently? New cambelt? Head skim?
When was it last serviced? - Was it somewhere reputable? - you may have spark plugs fitted which have the wrong temperature rating.
Are you in too high a gear when accelerating? - Vauxhall engines can make a noise similar to pinking when they are struggling in too high a gear.
What it the mileage/service history of the car - is it used for short journeys or long motorway stuff? - You can get coke build up (and also affected by wrong temperature spark plugs) which get hot, glow and cause the fuel/air to ignite at wrong time - do you ever have "dieseling" - where the engine seems to run on after you have come off the throttle? - less likely on fuel injected engines than old carb ones.
Coke build up in the engine can be cleared with petrol additives like Red-Ex or I once sorted a Nova which was running terribly when brought to me just by running it up the motorway in 3rd gear revving the **** out of it - came back running sweet as anything.
What engine do you have? I can't remember when Vauxhall changed to distributorless engines on the Ecotec - think all vectras are distributorless.
Things you need to check or have checked
1) Engine Timing
2) Spark Plugs - check for deposits and correct spec for your engine
3) Fuel Injectors - you have changed filter but injectors may be blocked or working inefficiently - you can try a flush you add to petrol or take to specialist for ultrasonic cleaning
4) Distributor (if you have one)
hope it helps
2007-09-08 01:08:28 · answer #1 · answered by filski666 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Pink or just blushing? Pre-detonation is caused by lower octane fuels. All your Vectra probably needs is a tank of the good stuff. And if available once and a while Techron fuel additive to keep carbon build up from happening. I also recommend some spirited driving where it is safe..
2007-09-08 07:06:00 · answer #2 · answered by John Paul 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If this is a modern car with a computer controlling everything than I would take it to the garage and have the system checked. It sounds as if the sensors or something like that are either failed or not working correctly. Unless you understand modern computer run engine management systems you will be fiddling for ever.
2007-09-09 02:05:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, try changing the air filter, or looking for an air leak... check all the hoses..
pinking occurs when the air fuel mix is so low, the car is running on 90% fresh air...
and you could just change down a gear... or make sure the cat is fine...
2007-09-08 07:03:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
pinking is caused by low grade fuel or ignition timming, being you can no longer obtain low grade fuel it has to be the other , unless what you hear is not pinking
2007-09-08 11:41:55 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a timing problem. Also get the fuel mix checked.
2007-09-08 07:02:26 · answer #6 · answered by MellowMan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you have put the wrong octane fuel in it ,check what should go in it and top the tank up ,it will disappear.
2007-09-08 07:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
USE A HIGHER TYPE OF PETROL. HAL
2007-09-08 07:08:11 · answer #8 · answered by bradhust 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋