detonation???

[scheemen]

I read my ecu code the other day and It indicated the knock sensor ...I just changed the spark plugs and fuel filter ..I had been running 89 octane gas since I bought the car ...well anyways I upgraded to 92 octane and the ecu is code is cleared ...one prob though 92 octane is damn expensive and I know I don't really need to run it ...is there anything else i can do or check to prevent detonation the car is a stock 96 S14...any ideas are greatly appreciated

[MikeS14240sx]

timing to far advanced??? Only thing i could think of.

[float_6969]

Well, I'm not sure about the s14, but it says in big capital letters on the gas door of my s13 " PREMIUM UNLEADED FUEL ONLY " I check my ecu codes once a month and have never had a knock sensor code come up. Also, 89 octane is a dirtier gas and can build up carbon deposits alot faster, it also burns less cleaner. I'd read your owners manual. Mine says 91, but that I can use 89 if it is the only thing available. If I was you I'd just suck it up and us the 91

[scheemen]

THANKS FOR THE TIP...I WAS GOING ON WHAT I READ ON THIS WEB PAGE ...and not checking the manual

[MikeS14240sx]

If you ask me you still have a problem. The knock senor shouldn't be going off when you run 87 octane. I believe 92 octane is recommanded but isn't required. On the instrument cluster it just says unleaded fuel only, not premium unlead fuel only.(correct me if i'm stupid:)) I tried 87 octane a week after i got my s14 and had no problems. I just didn't like the clear lack in performance and the gas mileage was terrible.

If your in the highmileage range i would have a tune up done. Detonation can lead to expensive problems.

[lateralmotion]

where do you guys live? i can't get 91 octane gas... oh well i guess i'll have to settle for 93 biotch

[S13Drifter]

I should know this from my automotives classes. Detonation easy solution's: higher octane, retard timing, check the engine temp with outside senser (if it is running hot then you can get detonation). That is really it. I run nothing but 87 in my 1990 and have no problems. If you ran bad gas and got carbon build up in cylinder head then it raises the compression causing detonantion, that is why a car w/o detonation can get detonation in time. I suggestion retarding you timing (setting you distibuter back a few), if you still get it (and you engine is not hot) then you have no choice but to just run 91-93 octane fuel.

[Drifter240]

Yeah, I don't care how expensive 93 octane gets, it's the only thing going in my gas tank.

[float_6969]

I wish I could get 93 octane. The best I can do is 92 and that is only at Amaco's and I kinda think that it is just 91 with some extra **** in it, but my car runs good on it, so I don't *****. Also, it doesn't say premium on the gauge cluster, it says it on the gas tank lid door. I just don't like the way my car runs on 87, I only did it once cuz I was real low on cash. luckily it was only 5 gal.

[scheemen]

thanks for the reply ......but ive got another question ...I have somewhat wobbling idle and I decided to clean my maf w/ carb cleaner as instructed in the faq's apparently I got a little happy with it and got some carb cleaner on my intake air temp sensor ...so that code is coming up as well ...I haven't bothered fixing it b/c i didn't really see the significance of the air temp sensor going off I mean my car is copmpletely stock factory airbox w/ paper filter and all (i tried to make a ram air , but have switched back to stock b/c i didn't like the annoyuing lil stumble it created at cruise speeds) ...could the air temp sensor be creating a false knock sensor code ...and if so why did it go away when i went from 89 to 92 octane

[C-Kwik]

Just because the knock sensor code is tripped does not mean you're getting detonation. It may just mean the knock sensor is not working correctly. You can usually hear detonation.