how do you know if your car is pinking, or over boosting or under boosting. what are the tell tale signs?

Morgan

 

fit a boost gauge & Knocklink... PS Lewis will arrive shortly the explain..!

For what it's worth here's my answer, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong..?

Pinking (aka Det/knock), may or may not be audiable to the ear. At low speeds in a high gear (ie the engine is labouring a bit) if you push your foot down on gas it sounds like small ***** of tin foil being rattled in a can, ie light metallic sound. This is when a KL would light up, as well as at much higher rpm when, if it happens, you definately won't hear it without Det Cans (headphones)..! If you think there is a problem you should get it looked at ASAP..!

As for overboost, if you shove your foot down in 4th at around 30mph the car will start to accelerate then suddenly hesitate (as if you'd jumped on the brakes) as the fuel cut comes in (~3-4k rpm). This is usually due to the turbo overboosting.

Under boost, performance will suffer (depending on how low the boost is) with little or no shove from the turbo.

This is where a boost gauge is invaluable..!

As I've said this is my opinion from what's been discussed on SN before.

You could do a search and find out more.

 

How long before we see Impreza Drivers driving around with fooookin' Det. Can. Headphones on!!

There are those that WOULD!!!

This world is a scary place ..........................

Pete