Noticed today the wife's car is making a 'pinking' noise. Mostly in 2nd and 3rd gear when pulling uphill. I didn't think modern engines 'pinked' with electronic ignition an' all, - so what could it be ? :suspect:

Car has averaged about 10k miles per year and has less tham 40k on the clock.

Originally posted by Greybeard
Noticed today the wife's car is making a 'pinking' noise. Mostly in 2nd and 3rd gear when pulling uphill. I didn't think modern engines 'pinked' with electronic ignition an' all, - so what could it be ? :suspect:

Car has averaged about 10k miles per year and has less tham 40k on the clock.
It is probably the timing is out.

Check your firing degrees BTDC is correct to the type of engine.
AS you don't say what type of car it is, it is hard to think what it should be.

Any car with electronic ignition can still be out of timing depending on the type of ignition system.....

Originally posted by Delboy3
It is probably the timing is out.

Check your firing degrees BTDC is correct to the type of engine.
AS you don't say what type of car it is, it is hard to think what it should be.

Any car with electronic ignition can still be out of timing depending on the type of ignition system.....

Thanks Delboy, - the car's a 3 year old Mazda. It's many years since I did any DIY servicing and ISTR pinking was caused by pre-ignition but I'm very vague about it these days.

As long as it's nothing serious like the valve gear it can wait a few days until I get an appointment with our usual mechanic, - perhaps an adjustment to the timing chain will fix it ?

i've come across this before, tricky to diagnose in a modern car - usually due to a failed sensor.
Best off taking it to a garage where they can plug it into their computers and find out which is at fault.

Has it been doing it much? Even after refuelling? (some cars don't like supermarket petrol 'apparently')

Have you checked the spark plugs for any obvious ware?

Originally posted by Greybeard
ISTR pinking was caused by pre-ignition

Yup, your spot on!

Thanks for all the help.

Can anyone recommend a good diagnostics center ? In the Hillsborough area would be handy :)