I've done a search and read most of the postings on this topic, but I still have a question. This weekend, I experienced knocking in my engine for the first time. To start, my TL-S has 3000 miles, I haven't changed the oil yet, and I only use 91 octane gas (that's all that's available here in CA).

The first time I noticed it, I wasn't too concerned. I was heading up a steep incline (a boat ramp), and I had the car in a D3, I believe. I assumed it had something to do with the incline and let it go.

But today, I was in D5 on a flat surface, just pulling away from a stop sign?!? WTF, I don't get it! Was it just a bad tank of gas and should I wait to see if it goes away with the next tank?

Any thoughts, ideas......or am I just being paranoid?

Thanks!

 

Definitely a trip to the dealer is in order. I've never had any knocking and I'm using the same octane-rated gas you are (Chevron 91 octane). I'm at 7700 miles and have driven all kinds of conditions. I think something is not working as it should be.

 

Its the ****ty Cali gas!!! Seriously though, the engine has an anti-knock sensor so the pinging should go away. I would still probably get it checked out by the dealer though...

 

if your guy finds a fix tell me cuz after 2 visits to the dealer (actually 3, but the first time they said it was "normal"), its still there. The dealer dont know what to do, acura tech-line dont know what to do. I have a feeling the engine pinging is more prevalent, but people dont notice it over the music. I'm writing a complaint to Acura over this cuz mine pings from 2nd to 5th gear. Pretty nasty.

 

Yep let us know, I run super which is allegedly 93 octane, mine does it at lower rpms.

 

Mine pings in the same situations you described. bh and I have talked about this before. My dealer (Keyes - Van Nuys) has no idea what to tell me, and they have no information from Acura as to how to remedy the problem.

I definitely worry about this and intend on contacting Acura Customer Service, I just have not had the time to do it. I think you're gonna find the same thing I did, that there is nothing your dealer can do about it right now. I have been meaning to try an octane boost, but I haven't done it yet.

 

i used to have this problem before.what i have found out was just the hood.u just need to screw or unscrew a bit the two littlw black knobs right rear the head light assemble.good luck.but if that will not cure.then i do not know what is wrong

 

I feel that part of the problem may be the oxygenated fuels or Re Formulated Gasoline mandated by CARB and the EPA in California and other places for wintertime use. You guys that are complaining do all live in CA, it seems.

The following links to the Chevron web site may provide some answers. It's certainly easier for me than retyping!

Anyway, it goes into the mechanics of what the fuel is and how it interacts with your vehicle. It comments on detriments to fuel economy but does not say anything about engine knock. It seems that all Mfr's and the Gov say that it should have no effect, that new computerized cars with knock and O2 sensors can adjust.

Chevron on Oxygenated Fuels

Chevron RFG FAQ

EPA RFG Home Page: EPA RFG

This is a link to the EPA which says it will not affect your car: EPA link

Another EPA link on fuel economy factors: EPA link 2

Impacted areas in US: Click

A MUST READ: 1999 Fuel Recommendations by Mfr. Look under Honda.

I have seen the issue of engine knock and oxygenated fuels surface in a few forums but cannot find them right now. Either way, it's something to consider.

However, I can certainly tell you that several of my vehicles have had issues with the winter fuels when I lived in Arizona. Right now my car just feels more sluggish. No knock yet.

$.02

 

Mine's been doin it since i got it in June, before they dropped the octane to 91. Knock sensor aint working if its pinging, but in my case they replaced it and tried swapping the PGM and still no good. Might be time to possibly trade it in or maybe it could be considered a lemon. I dont think pinging in 4 out of 5 gears is doin any good to the engine. It would probably ping in 1st if it didnt shift to 2nd so quick.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys and the informative links. Yeah, I'm apprehensive about what the dealership can offer, especially since it's something that's hard to replicate. Like I said, I've always used Super from Chevron (91 oct), and it truly only happened those two times, but still don't like it.

I tell ya, I love this car, but there are certainly a few things that the dealers seem to categorize as "normal" - which IMHO, should NOT be!!

If I get any resolution or informative info, I'll be sure to pass it along....

 

Yep... I'm pissed about this problem too. I actually came to this board looking to see if anyone else was experiencing the pinging as well. Sounds like a frequent issue - Acura needs to get off their asses and find a resolution.

I have 3000 miles on a TLS, and I get a valve lash type noise coming through 3rd and 4th gears while under moderate to heavy acceleration. To me, it sounds like a kash more than a knock... but it definitely has a metalic clack abou it. Is this what others are hearing?

I took mine in to Pohanka Acura here in the DC area, and I was even able to reproduce the noise with a technician in the car. They checked it out, but gave me te "normal operating characteristic" speech and said that the computer was detecting the ping and retarding it accordingly. The only thing retarded was the damn technician!

I'm concerned that this problem is going to lead to something much bigger and nastier down the road. I'm thinking about taking the car to another dealer for a second opinion.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome!

 

What is an oxygenated guel - is that different than a Halloween ghoul?

Oxygenated fuels cause all sorts of problems - thery are one of the great enviromental hoaxes perpetuated on mankind:

Coupla things:

1) Try a very good FI cleaner like Red Line or Gumout Regane. Oxygenated fuel builds up deposits quickly, and you may have a lean spark knock caused by intake valve deposits.

2) A faulty or intermittent EGR system can cause rapid rises in cylinder temperature, causing knock.

3) Short-term pinging should be handled by the detonation sensor (not anti-knock sensor) and corrected by the closed-loop system. You are still losing a bit of power.

4) Here is a wild idea that I think is also possible. Most detonation sensors work by detecting sound waves that are characteristic of knock. It cannot differentiate between pinging and a similar pattern of sound caused BY ANY OTHER SOURCE. It is possible that certain road conditions, tire pressure, temperatures, aftermarket equipment, could cause sounds interpreted by the sensor and sent to the ECM for correction even though no pinging is occuring in the engine. Have you done a lot of mods - what about the road surface, was it similar in both cases - can you repeat it? Also, have the dealer check the hydraulic engine mounts - if they are not working properly, variable vibrational energy could be rippling through the block, confusing the system.

Keep in mind that some pinging can occur, and it can be a good thing. How? It means the engineers have designed the system at the far end of an aggressive fuel/spark map for optimum power, but when individiual situations (fuel, cleanliness of intake) push things away from optimum, the system is more prone to momentary ping.

Any sustained pinging, run-on, or knock is serious and obviously a problem needing correction.

 

Fixed that spellin error. Oops.

I was a little disappointed that I could not find any "real" evidence about the link of oxygenated fuels to pre-ignition even though I have experienced it personally on several vehicles. All I could find were a few notes by some Mustang tuners that tied the "winter fuels" to engine knock issues because of it's increased volatility. Nothing I felt comfortable forwarding on.

All the presented evidence seems to point towards bettering the environment with a few disclaimers about poor mileage. Interesting, that same decrease in mileage now causes you to use more fuel, subsequently raising emmissions and potentially negating the need for the oxygenated fuel in the first place.

"Hoax" about covers it.

 

Mine has never pinged. I've even run half a tank of 87, just to see how the car would respond. The only thing I noticed was smoother engine performance (meaning less potent), but no pinging. My Bimmer will ping if I even think about less than 91 octane, but this car's never done it. I have mostly highway miles on it so far. Could that be a clue?