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Pinking noise under load

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:01 am
by andyrose20
I have a 2017 1.6L Vitara Auto 2 WD and under full load occasionally it will make a slight metallic tapping/ringing noise I think its known as 'pinking' as I remember with older cars this is a result of the ignition timing being too far advanced. is this a common problem with the Vitara?

I don't have a workshop manual for this engine and short of going to a main dealer does anyone know how I can fix this?

Re: Pinking noise under load

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:24 am
by maxaret
Hi Andy
A modern engine like yours should not really be 'pinking'.
Is it worse in hot ambient temps ?
The engine probably has a 'knock' sensor which should retard the timing a little through the ECU.
Any engine EML light or any fault codes showing with a code reader ?
I guess it could just be a faulty knock sensor or wiring - has anything been done to car which might affect the timing ?

Re: Pinking noise under load

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:30 am
by andyrose20
No changes have been made to the engine so I suspect something has failed.

Re: Pinking noise under load

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:00 am
by maxaret
I am assuming this engine normally runs on the usual 95ron fuel ?
Have you ever tried it on (say) Tesco 99ron or any of the other 'super' grade petrol available ?
I know you should not really need to but might help during hot weather (if hot weather is partly affecting your engine ?)
Do you have a code reader ?
We have a cheap OBD 'dongle' wireless thingy which plugs into the onboard OBD port and relays info to the 'Torque' app on my phone,you would have to check compatability with your engine of course.

Re: Pinking noise under load

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 10:58 am
by andyrose20
Ok I have taken the car into a main Suzuki dealer for a full diag, they found no errors. The noise had gone away now the ambient temperature has dropped below about 24C.

If I run the car on the higher octane petrol the noise is significantly reduced.

Re: Pinking noise under load

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 10:59 am
by andyrose20
Does anyone know if there is a workshop manual available for this model?

Suzuki Vitara 2017 1.6L automatic