General Punto Mk1 Pinking

[altria]

Hi, I have a Mk1 Punto, 1999 1.2 60s.

I few weeks back i snapped one of my spark plugs, whist i was checking them.
So i went and got a new one to replace it.

Since i have done that the car is pinking, when i change gear, into a higher one.

I made sure that the gap was correct, 0.10m on the new plug.

What could the reason for my problem?

Thanks Alex

 

[dave]

you should change the plugs as a set

 

[altria]

you should change the plugs as a set

So if i go and buy 3 more, then it should stop my problem?

Alex

 

[dave]

maybe at least they will all be burning even

 

[Ralf S.]

The plug gap should be more than 0.1mm Normally it's around 0.5 to 0.7.. but you need to check the manual for your car.

A too small gap will cause pinking as the charge building in the plug will leap the gap (spark) much earlier than it could with a bigger gap. That MAY be the problem.

But, change the plugs as a complet (identical) set and make sure they are the correct type for the car. Don't use a different number plug as the number represents the heat rating of the plug. A plug with too low a heat rating will run too hot for example and that could also lead to pinking.

Finally refuel the car from a different place.. you may just have some duff petrol in the tank.


Ralf S.

 

[Lowtechguy]

All 8v engines are 0.8mm.

 

[dave]

All 8v engines are 0.8mm.

bosch 0.8 ngk 0.9

 

[Lowtechguy]

Dave I appologise.

mk1 ngk are 0.9mm
but the mk2 8v are definatly 0.8mm

 

[dave]

i just copied that out of a mk2 book

 

[altria]

Ok, i will go and buy and mew set, and make sure the gap is 0.9mm

I have had a word with one of my friends, who say that the timing might be a bit out, and if i reset the ECU, it will put the timings back to when it was new, is this true, shall i do it?

Thnaks again, Alex

 

[Lowtechguy]

i just copied that out of a mk2 book

I checked sparkplugs.co.uk and they said it was 0.9mm for ngks for mk1's

the 8v mk2's are deffo 0.8mm - I tried 0.9mm and it would misfire...

 

[dave]

hmm yeah my bad, book wrong again says 0.8 for mk2 8v on ngk.co.uk as well

 

[Lowtechguy]

Lets agree to disagree.

Bloody plugs...

 

[dave]

i just said 0.8 as well haynes was wrong again, that twice in a week

 

[punto_scotty]

did you check the lengh off the spark plugs with the old 1s because they might be longer and when the pistions coming up its hitting the spark plug

 

[Ralf S.]

Yoinks!

I think he'd have noticed by now. If you stick to the recommended plugs for your model it will be fine.

In NGK-speak the "P" in the plug designation means it has a projecting nose (e.g DPR7-ES) so if your manual says "DR7-ES" don't think a "DPR7-ES" is near enough or it'll wreck your motah.

But it's very unlikely that you won't be able to find the right plug, so no excuses for using the wrong one.


Ralf S.

 

[barachello2000]

Ok, i will go and buy and mew set, and make sure the gap is 0.9mm

I have had a word with one of my friends, who say that the timing might be a bit out, and if i reset the ECU, it will put the timings back to when it was new, is this true, shall i do it?

Thnaks again, Alex

To reset the ecu, is it just a case of disconnecting the battery for an hour or so ??

I have a mk1 sporting, and the plugs have a bit of soot around them.