Hope someone out there can help me. My ride is a 04 CVT Cooper and I have been getting the Engine Pinking sound. Brought it back to the MINI dealer, and they diagnosed it as gearbox and flywheel problem. They replaced both parts, but the pinking sound is still there.

I am on stock ECU, and using Octane 98.

Any idea what else would cause the engine to pink? :puzzled:

Please help. Thanks.

to avoid pinging the ecu retards your timing so that you fire later causing cylinders to run cooler. and not ignit the fuel; but burn it . so you're too hot. now why too hot? or why better still is the timing still advanced? no pulley ? no mods? are you burning oil? this can build deposits which increase compression. you'd have lites lit if coolant low. how many miles? timing chain okay? if it jumped the ecu may not be able to help.you gotta get it scanned to get the straight skinny . try another dealer.

to avoid pinging the ecu retards your timing so that you fire later causing cylinders to run cooler. and not ignit the fuel; but burn it . so you're too hot. now why too hot? or why better still is the timing still advanced? no pulley ? no mods? are you burning oil? this can build deposits which increase compression. you'd have lites lit if coolant low. how many miles? timing chain okay? if it jumped the ecu may not be able to help.you gotta get it scanned to get the straight skinny . try another dealer.

thanks herbie hind. nope, no pulley (non-s), no mods............but mileage is about 80000KM (or 50000 miles). will definitely bring the car to another garage to check....

it could be you're mistaken as to it being pinging in the first place. 04's mine too had bad harmonic balancers. it's been fixed for 05 up. but the sound it would make was from the crank pulley side. it sounds just like a playing card in bicycle spokes. it would usually occur under load between 3000 to 4000 rpms. if this is what you're hearing do a search for ticking noise on this site bodinski has a good thread on it . he managed to duct tape a wad of cloth in his crank pulley(carefully) to make the sound change, therebye convincing his dealer to rectify the sitch. luck.

very stupid question probably but what is engine pinging?:rolleyes:

Hi Ryan We call it 'pinking' over here. Its usually the sound of over advance of the ignition timing. Often leads to knocking/detonation which is 'sort of' similar in sound but usually leads to major engine damage. -Using the 98/99 Ron Super Unleaded helps keep it away.
Best Regards Roland GT Tuning

Thanks Roland! :D