# How does engine pinging sound (detonation)
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320
**Category:** SON240sx Automotive
**Created:** [June 10, 2005, 11:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320 "2005-06-10T11:21:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2005, 11:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320/1 "2005-06-10T11:21:41Z")
:dunno:
Is it anything like taking a metal ball (bearing) and dropping it on a piece
of metal (hence the ‘ping’) or is it something else.
As of late (and my engine problem still there) I have heard this noise
in my engine. It sounds more like a whip cracking (or twig breaking -
just louder and pretty defined).
I have been playing with timing and at the moment its at about 20deg
advanced (running 87 oct).
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### Author:  [@jjm\_240sx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jjm_240sx)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2005, 1:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320/2 "2005-06-10T13:27:30Z")
put in 94.
is the engin shaking? posibul misfire. stop by tomorro with it if it is driveabul. at lunch time and il look at it.
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### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320/3 "2005-06-10T13:52:09Z")
I don’t trust it enough to drive out far. If you’re in the 'hood, you’re more
then welcome to drop by.
I still have a 1/4 tank of gas (87).
I hear the sound maybe 3 or 4 times in a span of couple hours :dunno:
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### Author:  [@DarkForceJackal](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DarkForceJackal)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320/4 "2005-06-10T14:10:24Z")
20 degrees (+/- 2) is the standard for DOHCs. You should be okay.
I’m running 22 degrees and 94 octane with no issues.
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### Author:  [@Stinson240sx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Stinson240sx)
#### Post date: [June 10, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320/5 "2005-06-10T21:22:38Z")
pinging does sound like bb’s clanking on metal. My old b18 used to ping only under load, even light load whenever i used crap gas but went away when i used high octane.
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### Author:  [@Habib\_Albi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Habib_Albi)
#### Post date: [June 11, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320/6 "2005-06-11T18:58:29Z")
buddie pinging isn’t your problem. stock ka24de is supposed to be 20 degrees BTDC so if your runnin that right now than you are fine with 87 octane. and for the other guy who is running 94 octane and is 22 degrees advanced BTDC your waisting your money on gas. prices are a killer and you aren’t gaining. i advanced my timing about 5 degrees from stock and i run 89 all day long no problems.
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### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [June 11, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-does-engine-pinging-sound-detonation/86320/7 "2005-06-11T19:03:58Z")
I was just curious that what I was hearing was pinging or not. I wasn’t
quite sure what pinging sounded anyways.
I’ve never put anything other then 87 (other then that one time I put 94 I
think once at the track a couple years ago).