So we went out for a nice long tour today, we ended up stuck between some small towns needing gas.....so we had no other choice. We filled up with 87 octane. We headed out again, and after about 15-25 mins, my engine started to knock and ping. We managed to find some octane booster, and added that, however the pinging didn't stop. After that gas went through, we filled the tank with some nice 91, the usual stuff we run, but the ping won't stop. I think it might just be a coincidence that the lo octane gas happened at this time, i think it might be the valves. But i don't understand how it would be so sudden? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh and would it be more cost efficent to take it in to adjust the valves or do it myself? any special tools needed? thanks

 

Would be worth looking at the valve clearences yourself. Check the Post on 10 hr valve service. Hightower did a nice job explaining the procedure.

You have an 04. Are there any mods? If not I don't think you hurt anything with the 87 octane fuel. Very unlikly anyway.

 

well how does it run is it stumbling, really would check the valve clearance now.

 

well it runs fine, just pings and ticks and stuff. Ya i saw that post about checking the valves.... what tools do i need? just the clearance checker thingie? lol whatever it is. Ya there is no stumble. Thanks for the replies guys, I just hope it isn't head damage now or something like that. I'll keep ya informed when i tear into it.

 

they are called feeler guages[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Gap should be .004 to .006.

 

Perfect thnaks guys

 

check for fuel blockage - main jet dirty, gas tank filter dirty, gas tank vent partially blocked, etc.

 

have you got all of that other gas out also or could there still be some in there?

 

If i remember correctly wasnt one of mr.hp's tips to run 87 octane gas to advance timing. If he did say that i doubt he would recommend that if the DS would start to ping with lower octane, so thats why im thinkin its not the gas??