Spark Knock? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

funnyguy44444 · 03-29-2008, 03:09 PM

My '95 3.4L 5 speed has a pinging spark knock when i accelerate quickly. I have tried using premium fuel with octane booster even and that seems to help but it is still there. So my first question is what octane gas does everyone else put in theirs? Mine seems to run like crap on regular 85. Also how do i solve my spark knock problem? Do i just adjust the timing perhaps?
Thanks,

Nick

BamZipPow · 03-29-2008, 06:24 PM

You might have some serious carbon buildup. Have you tried seafoaming yer engine yet? Give that a try...make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle. You can git Seafoam from AutoZone, Advance, Walmart, etc... It's about $6 a bottle.

funnyguy44444 · 03-29-2008, 07:21 PM

Haven't thought of that. I'll go get a bottle and give it a try. Can't hurt anything. Thanks

BamZipPow · 03-30-2008, 12:13 AM

Make sure you check all yer plugs before you start though. You could have other problems that's not visibly apparent. Would hate to see you have a loose plug and you end up shooting it out of the engine...

funnyguy44444 · 04-01-2008, 12:10 PM

I'll make sure there all looking good and nice and tight

funnyguy44444 · 04-01-2008, 04:30 PM

Well I think I found the problem. Someone (probably the previous owner) replaced the spark plugs but made two huge mistakes. 1. They only replaced half of them (the three on the drivers side of the engine) and 2. the ones they put in aren't even close to what the correct ones are. So i ordered 6 new nippon denso ones. Those should make a big difference i hope. I used some sea foam and it worked great. It made it run and idle smoother and there is a noticeable change in the power and pickup it has. I'm truly impressed with the stuff.

BamZipPow · 04-01-2008, 04:51 PM

Do you still have yer pinging?

funnyguy44444 · 04-02-2008, 11:45 PM

yea I do but it got a little better after the sea foam. I'm almost positive that when my new plugs come in the mail on friday it will go away completely.

luc_b · 04-04-2008, 10:30 PM

What does seafoam do? and what symptoms does it typically remedy?

BamZipPow · 04-05-2008, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luc_b

What does seafoam do? and what symptoms does it typically remedy?

When used as directed on the can, it can remove the carbon buildup inside the engine combustion chamber. Make sure yer engine is at operating temp before you try though.

There are folks who use a water sprayer instead to do the same thing but they don't flood out the engine and let the water sit.