I run my 1996 mirage hatchback on 91 octane. The mechanic tuned it such that it pings a little to get as much power out of it as possible. I accepted it like that but truth is I make it ping probably a little too often. If I switch to 96 octane would the pinging get worse or better?
The tailpipe was nice and grey when I bought it about three years ago with 122,000 on the clock but now, almost 80,000 ks later it seems to be spitting out soot.
monaro17,
Dec 12, 1:17pm
Put 95 in it and try it. It won't do any harm at all in fact it will probably do it the world of good
tony9,
Dec 12, 1:36pm
Mechanic should be shot. No way should it ping at all if it is properly tuned.
snoopy221,
Dec 12, 1:49pm
Yip with shooting and 95. Re pipe colour and spitting out soot- Replace those poor old spark plugs me ole mateK
bit,
Dec 12, 1:53pm
It's on my to do list for tomorrow.
franc123,
Dec 12, 1:53pm
What maintenance has been done in that time? Plugs, air filter. ?
dublo,
Dec 12, 1:56pm
I don't know much about 1996 Mirages, like whether they have carburettors or fuel injection, but it shouldn't be spitting out soot - sounds like it's way too rich. Find out whether 91 or 95 octane fuel is specified and get someone who knows what he is doing to tune the ignition and fuel systems correctly! Good luck.
bit,
Dec 12, 2:24pm
I normally get a service about every six months but let it lapse. It's been almost 12 months. I don't recall the plugs or air filter being replaced. There was a leaky water pump. When I bought it it got a going over as it was running rough - timing coil was replaced. The rocker cover was removed at that point and the gaps had been adjusted a lot, apparently to try and compensate for the rough running, which was improved a lot by replacing the coil. But still bunny hops now and then. I suspect an electrical fault. Last time I got it serviced he turned the idle speed down as it was idling fast but it's doing it again. Timing belt has been replaced.
mrfxit,
Dec 12, 2:39pm
Time to replace the mechanic
socram,
Dec 12, 2:46pm
Totally agree.
intrade,
Dec 12, 2:51pm
lol whanagrein there is only fkn morons in that town , and i am out of town just so you know if you want it propperly sorted i can do that for you, if its not to late already becaus pinging is bashing the bearings . it would need a full decarbonisation of pistons then new plugs and then a tune and then you need to run it on 95 octane .
bit,
Dec 12, 3:08pm
Yeah I shouldn't have let it ping. I'm weary of letting someone I don't know touch my motor as I've been stung before. Decarbonisation sounds like needing the head taking off?
bit,
Dec 12, 3:10pm
This is almost sounding like a relationship thread on account of my counseling someone in another browser window.
msigg,
Dec 12, 3:22pm
Yes run it on 95 or 98 will run much better, do filter and plugs should be all good.
intrade,
Dec 12, 3:26pm
what engine has it got fuel injected?
intrade,
Dec 12, 3:28pm
no just gets dirty spark plugs during cleaning and you cant clean plugs once they are full of carbon , cheaper to fit new plugs afterwards .
muzz67,
Dec 12, 3:38pm
Should a pipe run grey? Thought that was from un-leaded days?
mrfxit,
Dec 12, 3:43pm
Bollocks
pfemstn,
Dec 12, 3:46pm
Decarb what a joke! run some injector cleaner in the tank will do same job, get your mechanic to rest timing to standard will be sweet
mrfxit,
Dec 12, 3:46pm
Correct altho a really good tuned modern engine may run a dark grey at best. Very close to black is the norm with unleaded fuels
mrfxit,
Dec 12, 3:53pm
At this stage I would take it to a reputable dealer service center & have plugs, oil & filter, air filter done plus an engine tune (fuel mixtures etc).
In the meantime, run it on 98 octane & add a bottle of injector cleaner to a full tank of 98 octane fuel. Drive as per normal but as soon as you get it back from the full service, doing a 100km to 200km round trip (single trip) would be of benefit.
Vehicle engines HATE constant town driving.
mrfxit,
Dec 12, 3:54pm
Fixed that for ya
mrfxit,
Dec 12, 3:55pm
All presuming the vehicle is worth spending time & cash on it.
franc123,
Dec 12, 3:56pm
Its going to need a good going over by someone who knows what they are doing, and at minimum bank on having to renew plugs, air and fuel filters, reset the ignition timing using the correct procedure (I doubt that happened last time) and find out exactly what problem or problems is causing these idle speed issues, which could be a number of things depending on whether carb or EFI, attention also needs to be paid to the eventual operating temperature of the engine. It should be running acceptably on 91, if its not there are reasons for it. Go from there.
socram,
Dec 12, 5:25pm
I think you probably meant "leaded".
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