1050 Engine Pinging

[Eldercanuck]

Some months back, I noticed that a few of you mentioned hearing sounds like predetenation or valve clatter in your 05/06 S3s. Mine recently started making that sound as well. Frankly, it sounds very much like the racket that my '79 Fairmont made when I refused to give it premium gas. I've been running 91 octane (the highest available here), but the sound has persisted. I've tried switching gas stations and adding fuel cleaner / octane boost...no dice. The sound isn't very loud, but it's certainly noticeable and irritating to me. Any suggestions?

[crashmasterd]

It's time to change your oil.

I had this same noise when I was just approaching the first service. I was about to take it to the Dealer and tell them to fix it, but I decided to change the oil first. Instantly the "Pinging" went away.

3000 miles later and it's time for the second oil change. What do you know, but the pinging comes back. Change the oil, the noise goes away.

I had tried the high octane trick too with the same negative results. Don't bother with high octane fuel. This bike runs fantastic on 87 with no pinging. This is a different issue.

Change your oil, and use a good quality synthetic. Your noise should disappear.

[kuhlka]

I second that motion.

After 3 oil changes I've noticed increased engine noise when the bike wants fresh oil. 3,000 miles may be half the 'recommended' maintenance schedule, but cmon, its not like any of us ride our S3's like the manual suggests (or local speed signs recommend).

[Eldercanuck]

Thanks, guys - I appreciate the feedback. I'll try changing the oil today. The S3 will have to be put to bed soon anyway as winter approacheth in the land Northward (woke up to a skiff of snow on Tuesday!).

[Mad]

That is absolutly rediculous. Engines don't detonate (or not detonate) because of the quality of the oil. Get real
Mad`



[ This message was edited by: Mad on 2005-10-01 22:12 ]

[crashmasterd]

On 2005-10-01 22:11, Mad wrote:
That is absolutly rediculous. Engines don't detonate (or not detonate) because of the quality of the oil. Get real
Mad`

You're right and it would be ridiculous, except that this noise isn't detonation. It is a noise that happens to sound just like "Pinging" or detonation.

If this noise was detonation the problem would have been solved by the high octane fuel. It wasn't. Therefore, it has to be some other engine noise.

My feeling is that this noise is some engine part that is sensitive to oil viscosity. Something like tappets, or possibly the oil pump or its drive chain. I don't know.

If the oil change does fix the problem, like it did for myself and kuhlka, then that's double proof that it isn't detonation.

[kuhlka]

I've also noticed the clutch gets 'clunkier' with the increased engine noise.

[prs3]

I also had this condition with mine, an 04. Took it to the dealer because it was due for an oil change. Talked to the mechanics about it. They changed the oil noise, checked over the bike, everything else was fine. The noise is gone.



Paul

[Zee]

Mine started doing this almost immediately after first oil change at 700miles. After trying various fuel ratings and sources I eventually just stuck to one grade (95RON in UK) and it slowly went away after a few fills. I now have nearly 3.5k miles on it and it sounds fab...