Top Tier gas only, but the engine is PINGING !

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j_mac

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I have a 2012 Hyundai Accent with 28,000 miles on it. As per the owners manual recommendations, the car has only been filled with Top Tier gas. If top tier is not available, I have been adding 1 ounce of Chevron Techron per every 8-10 ounces of fuel upon refilling. With the help of a BITOG member, I determined this rate would equal or exceed the amount of Techron available in Chevron pump gas. So, the car has never been operated with less than "Top Tier" gas.
But the [censored] thing has begun to ping. It was pinging like mad a couple days ago in the hot weather. Not crazy hot conditions either. It does it when under moderate load (climbing a hill) and light throttle. Now, if I push the throttle down to climb harder the ping goes away. But, just cruising up a moderately steep hill and very little throttle (just enough to barely accelerate) it sounds like a harsh metallic rasp. Almost like the sound of severe detonation, only not that loud.
The engine has 11:1 compression, direct injection, and VVT. The owner's manual says it will run fine on the 87 octane I use in it.
Anyone have any ideas why its pinging like this?
It DID NOT ping at all last summer when it was brand new.

I'm assuming that the combustion chambers have a nice crust of carbon despite the "Top Tier" miracle fluids I've been religious about using. I'm thinking the crust has pushed the compression ratio a little higher and probably providing a nice "glow plug" effect as well.
Is it related to the direct injection?
I don't know. Any input would be much appreciated!

Do the "Top Tier" additives really work, or are they an old fashioned marketing gimmick?
 
You bought the cheapest crooked H and ask why the motor is junk from the factory. Take the car in and let the stealership try to fix it. The ecm computer is probably programmed wrong. It could be a multitude of other problems too from sensors to injectors.
Its not the gas.
 
Even with direct injection, i don't see how 11:1 compression works with 87 octane in the heat. IF the tank is low fill with 89. if you have more than 1/4 tank fill with 93 and see if that helps.
 
I would run a tank full of name brand Premium (Exxon, Shell etc..) and see if the pinging subsides. If it does than it is gas related. If it is I would request the dealership do an intake system cleaning under warranty.
Many newer cars have electronics which retard timing under load to enable the use of 87 octane so there is a possibility of a computer problem...but I doubt it.
PS: Hyundai is now a world class auto maker so ignore the negative comments.
 
Originally Posted By: pbm
I
PS: Hyundai is now a world class auto maker so ignore the negative comments.


I agree, very happy with the elantra. Fortunately i was able to fine this model in 2013 still available with mpfi and not direct injection!.
 
This is why I'll never recommend a direct-injected vehicle to anyone.

It's either carbon buildup somewhere, injector noise that sounds like detonation, or the ECM is programmed incorrectly and is advancing timing too far, causing knock, and failing to pull timing back to correct it.

It's time to take it to the dealership.
 
Hyundai makes very good vehicles as GM, Ford & Chrysler owners have discovered. Since the vehicle is a 2012, it most probably has not had time to accumulate any deposits. I would do as pbm suggested and try a tank of 87 octane but, a different brand. If the pinging is still there then a computer reset is in order. I assume this is not injector noise. Ed
 
I filled up all my previous cars with premium most time even if they were not in need, but most stated "for max performance use premium". They seemed to run better and get 1-2 mpg more sometimes. Try to fill up with Shell V-Power and see if it helps.
 
To much detergent has lowerd you octane. You are WAY overtreating Skip it. Fuel is garbage up here too. The more high comp high tech the motor is the worse it will run on bad fuel.
Ps - You may have a EGR issue. My noticed honda dumps big EGR top prevent ping (and unfortunately kill power) on bad fuel.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: pbm
PS: Hyundai is now a world class auto maker so ignore the negative comments.

+1 - I have two of them and in the 6 years that I have had them, there has been ZERO problems with either of them, zero, zap, nada, none.

I would try some 93 octane without the additive and see how it runs.
 
OP says he runs top tier gas.

J_MAC. Coworker recently returned from a trip to Nebraska. CEL comes on in one region because gas had more ethanol. What is the ethanol content of your fuel?

If Techron is added at every fill up, the last 1/4 or 1/8th tank will eventually be over concentrated so use it only occasionally.
 
Thanks guys, all good info except Chad's spouting.
Yes ARCO! I meant 1oz Techron to 8-10 GALLONS of fuel! It has a tank with 10.3 gallons of fuel available. when I fill it up, it generally takes 9-10 gallons, so I hit it with 1 oz of Techron to be sure. Additionally the fuel has the rot-gut detergent in it from the non Top Tier station I'm using at the time (when Top Tier stations are not close or the price is VERY low at the rot-gut station.) So I can only assume I'm getting plenty of detergent. I do use Top Tier stations when I can.
I thought of doing an experiment with some 93 octane to see if the fuel economy picks up since the knock sensor would not be inducing ignition retard. Not sure what to conclude from that if it did though. The [censored] thing is supposed to run on 87 octane!
Could 1/10th of an ounce of Techron in a gallon of gas reduce the octane of the fuel significantly to the point that it would ping?
Or am I just chasing my tail and its a problem associated with the Direct Injection and carbon buildup in the combustion space?

Any of the engine technology savvy guys, please come to the rescue!
Or one of the petroleum engineers, or amateur petro guys!

Don't get me wrong guys, some of the suggestions already are worth looking into. Maybe playing around with higher octane. Maybe theres a technical service bulletin about the engine. Maybe the dealer needs to see if there's an update it needs. I don't know though because it did none of this last summer when it was new.
ANY other input would be appreciated.
 
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