Engine tinkering / pinging since service

[genetic]

I have a Golf III GTS which I sent in for a service a few weeks back. I never sent it to VW, but a service garage near home. They did a full service including a cambelt change, valve seals, manifold gaskets, suspension, shocks, wheel bearings etc.

The problem is now when the engine is warm, it makes a pinging knocking sound if I put my foot on the accelerator. The mechanic said I need to get the computer reprogrammed, as you can't adjust the timing and fuel mixture mechanically. He claims that the pinging noise is due to an incorrect fuel mixture or slightly offset timing.

Would using a higher octane fuel help with the pinging? Would I see any benefit by using a higher octane fuel? Finding high octane fuel in cape town isn't easy.

Can engine pinging cause long term damage?

 

[Broadcom]

Oh yes, you can burn a hole in your piston. Causes of pinging are as he says, timing too far advanced or a weak fuel mixture. Also a cause of a too weak mixture is a leaking inlet manifold gasket - I see they change yours. I would check this. Higher octane will help

 

[Fazda]

Don't be crazy and try and do a fixit job by adding higher octane petrol>

For goodness sake take the car to an agent and get them to set the timing on their computer. That is if you don't want to fork out for a rebuild...you will stuff your engine up if you leave it.

 

[Gnome]

There are a few other things that Broadcom didn't mention (upped CR if head was skimmed, hot spots in the engine because rebuild was completed like ass, blocked exhaust, physical engine timing out of alignment) but fact is there are many factors.

Is there a drop in performance, what do the spark plugs look like, does it ping when the car is hot or cold or both, does the car hesitate or shake when it's pinging (like a car out of fuel)?

High octane will not always cure the problem, increased CR and too advanced ignition timing sure. BUT if your mixture is running too lean it most likely will not cure the problem, same for blocked exhaust, same for physical engine timing, same for too high a CR (might need higher octane than available from pumps), same for too advanced ignition timing (so advanced that you need higher octane than available from a pump).

Using higher octane is not a solution, get it sorted asap, damages pistons, vavles, cylinders. If your engine is turbo charged the engine is already screwed (I guarantee it), need rebuild.