I think my Panda's engine (999cc FIRE 4x4) is pinking pretty much half the time.
Its a metalic rattle type sound.

Its normally up hill or at over 50mph etc.
At WOT it isnt audiable.

Anyone have any tips on what to do first, then second etc.
I really dont want to put it into a garage, id rather learn the problem and fixes myself.
My porter manual has just arrived but often I find the advice of a people better.

Anyone suggest the first things to check?


Thanks
Jonathan

Try to check and adjust the ignition timing, if I've got it right these aren't computer controlled on the '88 cars. A mate's 2wd 1989 999cc wasn't anyway.

Possible quick fix:

First make sure the vacumn advance hose has not perished.

Then:

Score the distributor accross the point where it meets the engine block, then loosen the bolts holding it and twist the distributor towards you. This should retard the timing slightly and stop it pinking.

If it doesn't work, just match up the line you scored at the start to restore timing to 'normal.'

When he says twist the dizzy, you only need to move it a few mm's at
at time. Move it slightly, tighten the bolts then take the car for a spin
and see if it stops the pinking, if not, move it another few mm's and try
again etc etc.

Thanks - ill give this a go an ill check the hose.

I was hoping it is a case of somethig being at fault rather than reterding the timing for good.

As i understand it these cars are at 2deg BTDC?

Thanks for the replies.
lll post to confirm if this works for the FAQ.

Cheers
Jonathan

Roadsterchinsk said:

Thanks - ill give this a go an ill check the hose.

I was hoping it is a case of somethig being at fault rather than reterding the timing for good.

As i understand it these cars are at 2deg DTDC?

Thanks for the replies.
lll post to confirm if this works for the FAQ.

Cheers
Jonathan

Click to expand...

Wow, another member is making my job easier!!Thanks a lot
Got ten pages already btw

Wahooooo !


Thanks folks for the help.
The vacuum hose was in good order (as was most things I looked at).

Did the timing - retarded slightly as Martiny10 and minslapper advised.

The result is no pinking and the whole engine note has improved. I only did it a few mm's maybe 5. It looks like it was pretty much advanced all the way.

There are previous score marks really far away from where it was.

Not only has it stopped pinking, but the car is much quicker and stronger now. Its such a different car to drive.

It pulls easily in 4th etc.

Fantastic - you have helped me make my Panda sooo much better. Cant wait to drive to work tomorrow.
Previously it took agess to build any speed etc.

COOl and thanks again.

Roadsterchinsk said:

Wahooooo !


I only did it a few mm's maybe 5.

Click to expand...

That's pretty far for a timing change, sounds like it was really out to begin with.

I wonder what the previous owner was up to?

Is the distributor really rusty looking? Perhaps it has been swapped for one that has been lying unused in a garage for a while. If so, prob good idea to change the rotor cap and arm.


Glad to be of service.

Or are there signs of an old oil leak - the distributor oil seal is prone to wear and could have been replaced.

Cheers mate,
To be honest i think it needs a tiny bit more - some slight pinking on the way to work today in 5th mid revs slight hill etc.

Only 1mm -1.5 mm I think.

There are no leaks and the distributor looks to be original (as far as I can tell)
The car has only 64k on it (documented).

My main concern is the damage that the pinking was doing - to actually hear it at that extent is worrying.

Thing is i didnt hear the pinking until I sorted the rattle on the exhorst.

One thing at a time.......


Cheers
Jonathan

I wouldn't worry about damage. My old Y10 went for 120,000 miles on an engine that pinked like crazy when under load. The previous owner drove it up and down the country (Edinburgh - London) every weekend for God knows how long before getting a more powerful car. Must have pinked for hours on end on that journey - and it went fine for 5 years after that.

It was rust in the sills rather than the engine that sent it to to the scrap yard. Well that - and the fact that every engine mount and shock absorber needed replaced.

So, on my new Y10 all effot is going on the rust proofing.

It's the lack of power and fuel economy that would bother me, and since that's now fixed - happy days!

That sounds promising. If it's only slight pinking now I wouldn't worry
about it. Freddy pinked slightly no matter what was done to the dizzy
and he was still going like a train when they took him away !