Pinking Noises

[Michael H]

My car has recently developed a rather annoying rattling noise which I only hear with the windows down, it's like a bunch of keys rattling whenever I accelerate especially up hills, I was convinced that something mechanical is hanging loose, but the mechanic says the engine is pinking, and is a problem withthe management system. Can anyone tell me why it sounds like keys rattling?

[andy hughes]

I believe it is the tappets rattling - but I'm not a mechanic. A service, and making sure you use good quality fuel will sort out the sound for you. Ask the garage to sort out the engine timing for you while the car is there.

[Bob...]

Nope not tappets andy Pinking is in fact pre-ignition and can be caused by a number of things, most often the wrong or cheap grade of fuel or ignition timing is out. You need to get this sorted as it can cause serious internal damage if left to carry on.

[norfolk boy]

quite right bob sounds very much like the old advance and retard playing up.

[smudge]

I was reading this standing up & thought it said 'Picking Noses'. Silly me!

[Toffee]

I had exactly the same sympyoms very many years ago but it won't be the cause of your problems -- it was a hire car which had not been properly maintained and the wheel nuts/bolts had sheared off and were rattling round inside the hubcaps

[Rainagain]

Yes, it's pre-ignition. The pinking sound is the noise made by the fuel burning in an uncontrolled 'explosion' before the correct firing position has been reached. Basically it's the sound of the fuel going Bang! Modern engines have a sensor (anti-knock) which will retard Ignition Timing when it senses the shock of the 'bang', usually bolted to the engine block below the cylinder head.

[Raydude]

Pinking - Ahhh i had a turbo engine and it "pinked" under load ie up a hill. to stop pinking 1- try user more expensive fuel 2- get the timing on the engine checked (1st stop) 3- if u have a diesel your car will always make a rattling sound...its a diesel 4- get the engine cleaned...try using an engine additive..the pinking can be caused by carbon deposits in the engine 5- dont ignore it...pinking will eventually destroy the engine

[Janetex]

Rainagain has put it well and you MUST MUST MUST get this fixed asap or you risk blowing the head gasket and/or damaging the pistons! On an older car this is cheaper/easier to fix, but, whatever it costs, you need to do it.

[keltik]

well first off nobody knows if it is pinking for sure. i mean a mechanics word in the uk is worth a slap with a spanner. my old rover 416 made a wonderfull rattling sound under load up a hill, in the end it was just a few stones kids had shoved in my exhaust.