Festiva Pings Bad Once Warmed up?

[blkfordsedan]

^^what he said

You may also want to install a new fuel filter as added insurance. It does sound like a fuel mixture issue and not just a timing issue. That explains why it wouldn't ping when it was cold....since the fuel mixture is fat during warm-up mode.

Pull the plugs out as well and take a look at them. They can give you some good info about what's going on during the combustion process.

One other possibility...is there a lot of blow-by, or a lot of oil in the air intake tube that goes from the VAF meter to the throttle body? As these cars age, they develop blow-by and can blow some oil into the air intake tube via the PCV fresh air hose. If this oil builds up in the tube, it can run down into the VAF meter and/or even run back into the throttle body. When that happens, it will ping like crazy.

[nitrofarm]

Carbon Build up?

He didnt mention the mileage or oil useage. Could he b e having pre ignition from carbon? Just seems odd that it went away when he retarded.And now its come back?

[Movin]

Kinda should take a timing light and shoot ignition timing marks and cam timing marks. Shoot the timing marks with the computer back in control and make sure that while reving it
you do not see more than 45 deg advance.

Do a top end cleaning treatment. Inspect plugs for proper heat range, compare looks
from cylinder to cylinder.

Make sure there are no air pockets in your cooling system and that there are
no other signs of possible head gasket problems.

No moisture in cap..wires separated properly..

Any changes in parts or symptoms that coincided with the ping?

Possible valve burning but would be accompanied with other symptoms..

[blkfordsedan]

He didnt mention the mileage or oil useage.

This statement is what made me question the blow-by....

Im running reg grade pump gas, and she doesnt puff blue, but her oil definitly seems to dissapear if thats a clue.....
Thanks guys!

Although, I see what you're saying. If it was sucking oil, it would still ping even with the timing dialed back.

When my blow-buy got pretty bad, my B3 acted the same way. The excess oil in the air tube would build up and it would lose power. Then after it collected so much oil in the air tube, it would actually suck it through the throttle body and ping like crazy....until it sucked the oil out and the process started over. Pretty crazy, LOL.

[Grouper]

Well thanks for the fresh ideas guys, I will check the listed posibilitys and get back to you,
Thanks for the help!