kar_the_terrible

Hi,
im getting a pinging noise everytime i accelerate or start up the car after a cold day/night. It happens only on cold starts, especially if the weather's been cool, and lasts for about 5 minutes. if I let the car idle for a while I dont get ths problem...

I havent seen it through most of the summer, except after the occasional cold night.

Any suggestions as to what it might be? I've checked oil, put in new plugs, there seems to be some respite, but im nont sure if its bcoz of tht or the exceptionaly warm weather we'vre been having lately. im not ready yet to do a major engine checup myself, and a want an opinion of what it might be before I take it into the shop.

K

Ricey McRicerton

is it doing it all the time or only under hard load? If it's under hard load it could definately be engine detonation.

kar_the_terrible

its especially nonticeable under hard load (going uphill, passenger in the car etc). But I hear it faintly when Im alone in the car too, sometimes even accelerating on level road.

Assuming its engine detonation, what am i looking at, in terms of repairs?

Ricey McRicerton

Depends on what's broken already. I'd immideately stop driving the car and take it to a mechanic if you can't daignose what the pinging noise is in the first place.

kar_the_terrible

Could higher grade fuel possibly help?

Ricey McRicerton

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kar_the_terrible &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Could higher grade fuel possibly help?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It possibly could. What do you drive and what grade of fuel do you use?

VuDooBooster

what your hearing is called piston slap,it when the diameter of your piston shrinks as it gets cold, (metal mloecules form tightly in colder weather and expand in hotter weather) your pistons are rattling in cylinder when cold, its ok not too much to worry about here.

Kamin

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bruce Leeroy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what your hearing is called piston slap,it when the diameter of your piston shrinks as it gets cold, (metal mloecules form tightly in colder weather and expand in hotter weather) your pistons are rattling in cylinder when cold, its ok not too much to worry about here.</TD></TR></TABLE>
piston slap isnt usually a problem with a OEM engine. none of the internals are forged and the piston to wall clearance isnt large enough for this to be an issue. hearing things like this isnt common for a stock honda. while piston slap is a possibility i would look somewhere else first.