engine pinging
- khanacross
- Junior Member
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: newcastle
engine pinging
hi all ,hope you had a great xmas .... i have a brumby with a ej22 in it ,which pings under ecceleration to me points to timing being out ,if this is case how do i fix this ? i have had the timing covers off and checked cam timing ,all looks good there ,, how do i adjust ignition timing ? or can knock sensor cause this problem ? ...thanks in advance khanacross.
- khanacross
- Junior Member
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: newcastle
- Gannon
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4580
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bowraville, Mid Nth Coast, NSW
First of all, have you checked for codes?
Is the check engine light on?
If the knock sensor is working correctly, it shouldnt ping. If the knock sensor is faulty, usually the ECU will go into limp mode and retard timing to prevent pinging. The check engine light usually comes on in this case.
Ignition timing is computer controlled and cannot be adjusted.
Has it only happened since you last filled up the fuel tank? Possible bad fuel?
Is the check engine light on?
If the knock sensor is working correctly, it shouldnt ping. If the knock sensor is faulty, usually the ECU will go into limp mode and retard timing to prevent pinging. The check engine light usually comes on in this case.
Ignition timing is computer controlled and cannot be adjusted.
Has it only happened since you last filled up the fuel tank? Possible bad fuel?
Current rides: 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS & 2004 Forester X
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
------------------------------------------
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
------------------------------------------
- steptoe
- Master Member
- Posts: 11582
- Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: 14 miles outside Gotham City
is it ecu controlled or got a dizzy grafted to it?
what grade of fuel you using, if low try upgrade and se if that fixes it.
EJ22 actually get under load pushing a Brumby? enough to ping?
Anyone know if EJ style knock sensors test same way as EA82 style in the T versions? EA82T is so easy to test it aint funny and suppose you can do much same as on EJ with a timing light for a start by painting your own TDC mark on front pulley, let paint dry, start up and observe position of mark in relation to strobe, then gently tap block near sensor with back end of half inch extension socket etc and see if your timing mark moves then slowly comes back. EA82T has a test lead connector near coil to measure voltage ...1.7 V at normal no sense and goes up to 4.5 V as it senses then retards timing for a moment.
what grade of fuel you using, if low try upgrade and se if that fixes it.
EJ22 actually get under load pushing a Brumby? enough to ping?
Anyone know if EJ style knock sensors test same way as EA82 style in the T versions? EA82T is so easy to test it aint funny and suppose you can do much same as on EJ with a timing light for a start by painting your own TDC mark on front pulley, let paint dry, start up and observe position of mark in relation to strobe, then gently tap block near sensor with back end of half inch extension socket etc and see if your timing mark moves then slowly comes back. EA82T has a test lead connector near coil to measure voltage ...1.7 V at normal no sense and goes up to 4.5 V as it senses then retards timing for a moment.
My ej22 did the same. For some reason it was because of the timing isn't right. Easiest solution was to run on 98 and it stopped. Only disadvantage it $3-5 more each full tank:p
The project, EJ22 --->>> EJ25 Quad CAM:D touring wagon

Thinking of going on holidays on a little paradise island, Check out http://www.dodolidays.com

Thinking of going on holidays on a little paradise island, Check out http://www.dodolidays.com
- RSR 555
- Elder Member
- Posts: 6951
- Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:42 am
- Location: ATM... stuck in Rockingham
Many things cause the EJ22 to "ping" it's pre-detonation which isn't good if left for too long.
Firstly I'd look for ECU codes then look at servicing things like preforming an Upper Cylinder Clean, Injector Clean, clean or replace Spark Plugs. There are other thing to do but I'd start with these.
Also I'd do a compression check to see how the engine is to start with
Firstly I'd look for ECU codes then look at servicing things like preforming an Upper Cylinder Clean, Injector Clean, clean or replace Spark Plugs. There are other thing to do but I'd start with these.
Also I'd do a compression check to see how the engine is to start with

You know you are getting old when the candles on your birthday cake start to cost more than the cake itself.
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
RSR Performance
Home of the 'MURTAYA' in Oz
Subaru Impreza WRX based Sportscar
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Disclaimer: Not my website but hyperlink here to Subaru workshop manuals
- khanacross
- Junior Member
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: newcastle
firstly thanks for responses ,,, engine is in a brumby with cut down wiring harness so no "check engine light" ,i do run just normal unleaded NOT e10 .. engine pings very easy doesnt have to be under heavey load changing up through gears will do it from about 2000revs onwards .. compression is good and engine is good ,no smoke or even oil leaks , well maintained ..... how do i check codes with cut down wiring harness ? i do still have the two little green plugs on harness .. thanks guys .. khanacross
- khanacross
- Junior Member
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: newcastle
Have you tried running 98 in it?
Mine used to ping its guts off too, especially in summer.
Since moving to premium i have had better economy, more torque and no more pinging.
Definately worth the extra 10 odd cents per litre
Mine used to ping its guts off too, especially in summer.
Since moving to premium i have had better economy, more torque and no more pinging.
Definately worth the extra 10 odd cents per litre
* 1990 L Series Sportswagon (Daily Driver)
* WTB 1982-84 MY 4WD Wagon (Any Condition)
* WTB 1982-84 MY 4WD Wagon (Any Condition)
- TOONGA
- Elder Member
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 10:15 am
- Location: Mandurah where they divided by zero
- Contact:
the EJ22 legacy FSM lists connector F47, terminal 19 as the check engine light. so if you are game enough, you can connect a test light to terminal 19 on connector 47 of your ECU and hopefully find engine codes. Either that or cook your ECU.
I would Suggest using these scans http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n373 ... _diagrams/ to find the correct pin out and go from there.
EDIT// after reading scan 2 of the ECU pin out, the liberty FSM refers to connector B125 terminal 19 hope this helps.

TOONGA
I would Suggest using these scans http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n373 ... _diagrams/ to find the correct pin out and go from there.
EDIT// after reading scan 2 of the ECU pin out, the liberty FSM refers to connector B125 terminal 19 hope this helps.

TOONGA
- khanacross
- Junior Member
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:28 pm
- Location: newcastle
- littlewhiteute
- Junior Member
- Posts: 623
- Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:22 am
- Location: Brisbane
Make sure your cam timing is correct.
Seen many engines of various makes canned for throttle body cleans, spark plugs, O2 sensors etc before cam timing was even checked.
Advanced intake cam/s will cause pinging, (only needs to be one wrong), probably log cam sensor codes - crank to cam incorrect correlation.
How old is your timing belt?
Seen many engines of various makes canned for throttle body cleans, spark plugs, O2 sensors etc before cam timing was even checked.
Advanced intake cam/s will cause pinging, (only needs to be one wrong), probably log cam sensor codes - crank to cam incorrect correlation.
How old is your timing belt?
Regards
Gary
Gary

Couple of things,
You really must check the ECU codes, not only current codes, but the history of codes as well; there's no other way to diagnose.
Either take it to an auto electrician, a Subaru service centre, a good mechanic, or an auto parts store with an OBD 11 (On Board Diagnostics 2) reader.
Not much help telling you to use a different fuel, theres obviously something wrong, you would have more troubles than pinging if u were off a tooth on the belt, and if the belt was old and loose, the cam sensor would know about it, and your ignition timing wouldn't be affected, only your physical intake/exhaust timing.
Your problem is electronic, unless the cam sensor is somehow in the wrong position. I don't think the engine would run at all if the cam sensor was faulty, so count that out.
Its either the Knock Sensor, or something to do with the ECU receiving cam position readings.
You really must check the ECU codes, not only current codes, but the history of codes as well; there's no other way to diagnose.
Either take it to an auto electrician, a Subaru service centre, a good mechanic, or an auto parts store with an OBD 11 (On Board Diagnostics 2) reader.
Not much help telling you to use a different fuel, theres obviously something wrong, you would have more troubles than pinging if u were off a tooth on the belt, and if the belt was old and loose, the cam sensor would know about it, and your ignition timing wouldn't be affected, only your physical intake/exhaust timing.
Your problem is electronic, unless the cam sensor is somehow in the wrong position. I don't think the engine would run at all if the cam sensor was faulty, so count that out.
Its either the Knock Sensor, or something to do with the ECU receiving cam position readings.
- TOONGA
- Elder Member
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 10:15 am
- Location: Mandurah where they divided by zero
- Contact:
thats one of the pin out charts for the ECU, if you look at the others there will be listings for every sensor on the engine and it is an ej22 it has a knock sensor on the back of the motor under the manifold.steptoe wrote:I looked at TOONGs chart there and it does not show a knock sensor. These EJ20 NA have knock sensor?
TOONGA