Why do i hear a knock or ping from my engine!

[Syco_Trini]

>>>well i notice the sound when its idling @ 750-900rpm...its not loud...jus when u listen to the engine closely u hear a knock or ping....what can this be..."valve timing"? if so...how much will it cost to get done or can i do it myself....there is no loss of power it jus annoys the hell of me...plz help me

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.thanks alot yall!!!

[MikeMurphy]

knocking and pinging is typically what we call detonation. Its when the fuel burns when its not supposed to. Its a VERY bad thing.

Are you sure its not a tapping sound? Does it happen very constantly or erratically?

[Syco_Trini]

..its not a ping.....more of a knock....im almost certain it has to do with the valves..but i dont know what exactly... i will sink in 200 and get better gaskets and valve cover gaskets and eliminate the sound...its a knock and i can hear it when im idling...my car runs very rich...and idles like a kitten.. ?!

[Nismo_Freak]

Uhh... not really getting your point on this one.

Some common sounds KA's make...

Ticking Noise - Due to the injectors opening and closing (it's a very short tick)

Rolling "Loose" Sound - If it's coming from the front of the engine cover it's your timing chain.

Valve Chatter on start-up - Happens only on the SOHC heads cause they have hydraulic valve lash control.

If your engine is running rich at idle then there is no way you would have detonation unless you have timing REALLY advanced. Check to verify your distributer timing isn't advanced to it's max.... this would actually make the car run poorly.

If your getting poor start-up and an overly rich condition at idle you might have a faulty fuel pressure regulator.

[Syco_Trini]

...um its a ticking noise...i think its cause i didnt get an oil change in 2 months or so... (ran 3500km)...so im change the oil filter and use a different weight oil....i will tell u how it goes!

[GroundZero]

hey i want to add that you might want to run seafoam through your car (1 bottle in the tank, 1/2 in the crankcase, 1/2 in the booster hose) i did it today and it helped alot, and change you O2 sensor, i was having a problem with running rich until i changed my O2 today, runs like a champ.