Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: jonnycool on 09 August 2009, 21:16:29

Title: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 09 August 2009, 21:16:29
My car is pinking badly under anything more than medium load, I know modern engines are not supposed to but mine definitely is. Also very sluggish and misfiring badly intermittently. Beginning to think I'll  have to get rid of this car if much else goes wrong :( :(

Any suggestions as to what could be wrong?
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Ghost on 09 August 2009, 21:34:19
Do the paperclip test and see what codes you get.
then post them here and we can help you further mate.
sound like you might need a cs sensor. ( code 19 )
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 09 August 2009, 21:41:03
Quote
Do the paperclip test and see what codes you get.
then post them here and we can help you further mate.
sound like you might need a cs sensor. ( code 19 )

Got a whole load of codes for misfires but not crank sensor code, I changed that recently, did it all right - genuine GM, routed away from exhaust on inner wing. Recently also had a coil pack changed for misfires on one bank of cylinders
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 09 August 2009, 21:43:35
Quote
Quote
Do the paperclip test and see what codes you get.
then post them here and we can help you further mate.
sound like you might need a cs sensor. ( code 19 )

Got a whole load of codes for misfires but not crank sensor code, I changed that recently, did it all right - genuine GM, routed away from exhaust on inner wing. Recently also had a coil pack changed for misfires on one bank of cylinders


Did, and have you checked the spark plug wells for oil?? :-/ :-/

Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Lee A on 09 August 2009, 21:45:24
Tank of dodgy fuel perhaps? Has it been doing it a while?
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 09 August 2009, 21:49:54
I do use cheap supermarket fuel, yes. Always have done though :-[

Spark plugs were dry when coil pack was done.

Could my timing belt be out a couple of notches?
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: RobG on 09 August 2009, 23:28:09
Quote
Quote
Do the paperclip test and see what codes you get.
then post them here and we can help you further mate.
sound like you might need a cs sensor. ( code 19 )

Got a whole load of codes for misfires but not crank sensor code, I changed that recently, did it all right - genuine GM, routed away from exhaust on inner wing. Recently also had a coil pack changed for misfires on one bank of cylinders
Did you get an 0325 or 0330 :question
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Pete Elite on 10 August 2009, 00:40:36
If nothing obvious comes up then I'd be inclined to agree with Lee A and suggest bad fuel :-/.

  The knock sensors are supposed to eliminate pinking but if fuel contaminated who knows ::).

  Try putting in some good stuff and see if the engine runs better :y.
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Jimbob on 10 August 2009, 06:13:51
ive seen a few vauxhalls retard themselves due to bad fuel when checking live data.

my recommendation has been a couple of tanks of vpower etc, then stick to shell etc, sorted them all out  :y - 1 of them had been in a garage a fortnight with no joy, 2 mins on live data, fixed!

good petrol, italian tune up, job done  :y
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonathanh on 10 August 2009, 06:30:33
far be it from me to suspect the worst but I'd check the cambelt timing.  My thinking is that if it has jumped a few teeth then the ECU may be getting the ignition timing wrong.  i'd certainly do this before the italian tune up..
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Jimbob on 10 August 2009, 07:46:00
Quote
far be it from me to suspect the worst but I'd check the cambelt timing.  My thinking is that if it has jumped a few teeth then the ECU may be getting the ignition timing wrong.  i'd certainly do this before the italian tune up..


yes, reading my post back its not good advice, the meaning was if live data showed the knock sensors were asking the engine to retard,,,, then follow my suggestion  :y
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 August 2009, 10:10:08
Ignition timing is based on the crank sensor output so the cam timing won't affect it. Still worth a check of the cam timing perhaps.

Other possibility is a very lean mixture. Check for air leaks into the induction system, fuel delivery (filter ok?) and perhaps have a look at the live data to see what the fuel trims are doing. Are you getting fuel trim codes? (0170 & 0173)?

Kevin
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 10 August 2009, 13:19:17
thanks for all the replies, yes - i am getting codes 0170 and 0173, i've got a cheap new MAF coming to see if that helps. And i'm getting 0300 as well on the codes, if that helps the diagnosis
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Brick Tamland on 10 August 2009, 13:26:31
Is it making any noises?

Vauxhalls definetly dont like dirty petrol. My dads old omega a (carlton) got bad petrol once and it wouldn't work at all until the tank was drained. Then only a couple of weeks ago his 2.5 was hard to start and then started missing with a strong smell of petrol but this went away after it warmed up and a good motorway run.
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 10 August 2009, 19:24:47
Quote
Is it making any noises?

Vauxhalls definetly dont like dirty petrol. My dads old omega a (carlton) got bad petrol once and it wouldn't work at all until the tank was drained. Then only a couple of weeks ago his 2.5 was hard to start and then started missing with a strong smell of petrol but this went away after it warmed up and a good motorway run.

It is making a noise rather like a worn cam (clicking) when the misfire starts happening, then disappears when it starts running ok again
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 August 2009, 00:29:54
Quote
It is making a noise rather like a worn cam (clicking) when the misfire starts happening, then disappears when it starts running ok again

Could be spitting back through the intake due to a lean mixture. Have seen (heard) this before and it was the MAF in that case.

Kevin
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 11 August 2009, 06:56:52
Quote
Quote
It is making a noise rather like a worn cam (clicking) when the misfire starts happening, then disappears when it starts running ok again

Could be spitting back through the intake due to a lean mixture. Have seen (heard) this before and it was the MAF in that case.

Kevin

Yes, you might be right there, I think the new MAF can only be a good thing for my car..
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: RossMk2 on 11 August 2009, 08:06:52
Quote
Could be spitting back through the intake due to a lean mixture. Have seen (heard) this before and it was the MAF in that case.

Kevin

Jumping in on this thread.... i get seriously bad popping back down the exhaust (which the 4.0bar FPR seems to have calmed down a little) and have also had it spit back down the intake once or twice when testing which it may be doing while driving also just not as noticable as when your hands on the engine! hehe, and this is a good indication that this is the MAF? I've had tried 2 MAF's now and granted they are 2nd hand but still the same problem.
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 August 2009, 10:13:42
Spitting through the intakes can be an indication of a lean fuel mixture.

Whether that's due to the MAF or another problem requires more diagnosis.

A lean mixture burns very slowly or doesn't burn completely. This can leave some fuel in the cylinder in either an unburnt or "still burning" state after the exhaust stroke. When the inlet valve opens this can ignite the recently-injected fuel in the intake manifold, or, failing that, on a wasted spark engine, the "wasted" ignition event which occurs near TDC on the exhaust stroke can re-ignite fuel that previously hadn't fully burnt. The effect is the same. It flashes back into the inlet manifold.

Popping in the exhaust can be caused by a lean mixture but also by air leaking into the exhaust system, causing the engine to run rich (due to a false signal from the lambda sensor). Unburnt fuel then combines with the air that's leaking in and burns in the exhaust.

The fact that upping the fuel pressure makes a difference makes me think it's running lean and has run out of fuel trim to adjust it (normally changing the fuel pressure wouldn't make any difference because the ECU would trim the fuel back again).

It would need a look at the live data from the ECU to diagnose further IMHO. Has the ECU stored any fault codes?

Kevin
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: valliant72 on 11 August 2009, 14:07:46
Hi, i had trouble with what seemed to be pinking, if you check over my previous threads ::) till someone suggested the auxillary belt tensioner. So i changed that with a new belt and the noise has gone and i had changed every sensor there is  :( . Just another thing u could look at. :y
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: RossMk2 on 11 August 2009, 15:07:58
Quote
Spitting through the intakes can be an indication of a lean fuel mixture.

Whether that's due to the MAF or another problem requires more diagnosis.

A lean mixture burns very slowly or doesn't burn completely. This can leave some fuel in the cylinder in either an unburnt or "still burning" state after the exhaust stroke. When the inlet valve opens this can ignite the recently-injected fuel in the intake manifold, or, failing that, on a wasted spark engine, the "wasted" ignition event which occurs near TDC on the exhaust stroke can re-ignite fuel that previously hadn't fully burnt. The effect is the same. It flashes back into the inlet manifold.

Popping in the exhaust can be caused by a lean mixture but also by air leaking into the exhaust system, causing the engine to run rich (due to a false signal from the lambda sensor). Unburnt fuel then combines with the air that's leaking in and burns in the exhaust.

The fact that upping the fuel pressure makes a difference makes me think it's running lean and has run out of fuel trim to adjust it (normally changing the fuel pressure wouldn't make any difference because the ECU would trim the fuel back again).

It would need a look at the live data from the ECU to diagnose further IMHO. Has the ECU stored any fault codes?

Kevin

Right, there is no leaks intake side of things, i have recently changed all the hoses to new stuff and a new filter. There may be a slight blowing in the exhaust but it is after the oxygen sensors would this still cause the problem with the sensors, even if the leak is after they take a reading?

There are no fault codes on the ECU since changing the CS to a GM version.

I did use a local dealer with Tech2, he wasnt very helpful tbh was like he was against my car from the start, said there was nothing he could see thats causing a problem!  :'(
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 11 August 2009, 18:27:31
A friend suggested putting super unleaded in my car to see if it makes a difference ie upping the RON level of the petrol already in the tank. Hopefully this will make a difference for now
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: RossMk2 on 12 August 2009, 08:01:17
Thats all i have been using mate, made no difference to mine.
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 12 August 2009, 09:24:27
On a more general note, is supermarket petrol really that bad? I've used it for years, admittedly not on this particular car, which I've bought only recently. Never had any problems before!

Which brand petrols are the best in that case? Do Omegas run better on super unleaded?
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 12 August 2009, 12:49:31
Quote
Spitting through the intakes can be an indication of a lean fuel mixture.

Whether that's due to the MAF or another problem requires more diagnosis.

A lean mixture burns very slowly or doesn't burn completely. This can leave some fuel in the cylinder in either an unburnt or "still burning" state after the exhaust stroke. When the inlet valve opens this can ignite the recently-injected fuel in the intake manifold, or, failing that, on a wasted spark engine, the "wasted" ignition event which occurs near TDC on the exhaust stroke can re-ignite fuel that previously hadn't fully burnt. The effect is the same. It flashes back into the inlet manifold.

Popping in the exhaust can be caused by a lean mixture but also by air leaking into the exhaust system, causing the engine to run rich (due to a false signal from the lambda sensor). Unburnt fuel then combines with the air that's leaking in and burns in the exhaust.

The fact that upping the fuel pressure makes a difference makes me think it's running lean and has run out of fuel trim to adjust it (normally changing the fuel pressure wouldn't make any difference because the ECU would trim the fuel back again).

It would need a look at the live data from the ECU to diagnose further IMHO. Has the ECU stored any fault codes?

Kevin

very good :y :y
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 22 August 2009, 21:03:02
Update on this, I fitted a cheap MAF sensor yesterday and after a little while the car became very quick and responsive, and the EML has gone out for the first time since I had the car - result! More importantly, no more pinking or misfiring :y :y :y

This car really is quite fast...
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 August 2009, 21:53:17
Sounds like it was running lean then. Glad it's sorted. :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: jonnycool on 22 August 2009, 23:02:10
Quote
Sounds like it was running lean then. Glad it's sorted. :y

Kevin

Thanks for all the advice Kevin, particularly about the cause of the noise I was experiencing - I thought something really bad had happened :y :y
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: rustym95 on 11 September 2009, 01:54:52
Hi there think this may help aswell, the timing belt may of come lose and ajusted out cheak that out did it to mine only 0.5mm out but made the diff, runs alot better even when going up hills. :y
Title: Re: Pinking
Post by: rustym95 on 13 September 2009, 06:30:02
Hi have you checked the timing belt adjuster spring maybe worn out vauxhall mec told me they do that to engine when going, :y