September 21, 200322 yr Understanding gasoline and knowing that using WAY gigher octane than is called for really does no good, I put 89 octane in my Legacy and I gave 88 a shot in my XT (There is a gas station in town that has 87,88,89,91, and 93 octane..) Both cars pinged a little when I got on it. So I put a couple bucks of 93 in each and guess what? They both still ping a little :madder: I think next tank on both, I'm going to try 91, I know for a fact that the Legacy doesn't like a whole tank of 93... Is it the fact that the ambient temperature right now in Orlando is in the mid-90's, or do both my Subies have excessive carbon buildup? Whatever it is, I cringe when I hear that nasty pinging...
September 21, 200322 yr Author That can't be it on the Legacy, simply because the Legacy has electronic ignition controlled by the ECU. That said, I've been spoiled with coilpacks the whole time I've owned and worked on cars, and therefore know little about distributors. But, I did look on the XT, and the disty is turned as far clockwise as possible, which means it's as retarded as possible (right?)! So that can't be it either... I'm calling carbon buildup on this one. I'll probably do an engine cleaner/induction service on them and see what happens from there...
September 21, 200322 yr That would mean as far advanced as it goes, eh? mine is there too... and still not far enough. I'm just too lazy to pull the thing apart and find out why.
September 22, 200322 yr If the dist is turned all the way and it still pings, it's probably off one tooth. Try to pull it out and move it one tooth toward the direction it was tilted, then play with it. I bet that'll get it timed properly.
September 22, 200322 yr Sounds more like a faulty vacuum advance. Probably have a weak or leaking diaphram.
September 22, 200322 yr Author Reoff, it should be counter-clockwise. If the engine spins clockwise, then the rotor must spin counter-clockwise, since it's gear-driven. Also dig out a firing order and diagram (in a Haynes, for instance) and you will see the firing order go around the disty counter-clockwise... Unless I'm not looking hard enough, I don't think I have a vacuum advance. I see no diaphragm on the disty, nor do I see a vacuum hose going to it anywhere... I put 91 octane in it and it went away, but as we know, it should take 87:temper: I guess I'll just hafta play with it, and teach myself a few things about distributors in the process:-\
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