GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Holden 🢒 2008 🢒 Lumina Ute 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls and Fuel - 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L, or 7.0L 🢒 Detonation/Spark Knock

Detonation/Spark Knock

Inspection/Tests

Action

DEFINITION: A mild to severe ping, usually worse under acceleration. The engine makes sharp metallic knocks that change with throttle opening.

Preliminary Inspections
    • Refer to Important Preliminary Inspections Before Starting in Symptoms - Engine Controls .
    • Search for bulletins.
    • Verify that the engine control module (ECM) grounds are clean, tight, and in the proper locations. Refer to Power and Grounding Component Views and Engine Controls Schematics .
    • If there are no engine mechanical faults, fill the fuel tank with a known high quality fuel that meets the vehicles minimum octane requirements. Road test the vehicle and re-evaluate the vehicles performance.

Fuel System
    • Inspect for incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for a restricted fuel filter. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for the following conditions that may cause the engine to run lean:

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

       - Water intrusion in the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) connector.
       - An exhaust leak between the HO2S and the engine. Refer to Exhaust Leakage .
       - Vacuum leaks.
       - Incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Restricted fuel injectors. Refer to Customer Concern Verification Sheets or Customer Concern Verification Sheets .
       - An inaccurate mass air flow (MAF) sensor.
       - Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or incorrectly connected.

Ignition System

Verify that the spark plugs are of the proper heat range. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .

Engine Cooling System

Inspect for obvious overheating problems:

    • Low engine coolant. Refer to Loss of Coolant , for the type and amount of engine coolant to be used.
    • Restricted air flow to the radiator or restricted coolant flow through the radiator.
    • Inoperative cooling fan. Refer to Cooling Fan Inoperative .

Engine Mechanical

Inspect for the following engine mechanical problems:

    • Excessive oil in combustion chamber. Leaking valve seals. Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis .
    • Low cylinder compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test .
    • Combustion chambers for excessive carbon buildup. Clean the combustion chamber by using top engine cleaner. Follow the instructions on the can.
    • Inspect for incorrect basic engine parts. Inspect the following:
       - The camshaft. Refer to Camshaft and Bearings Cleaning and Inspection .
       - The cylinder heads. .Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .
       - The pistons, etc. Refer to Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection .
    • Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical .

Additional Inspections
    • Inspect the park/neutral position (PNP) switch operation.
    • Inspect the transmission torque converter clutch (TCC) operation. The TCC applying too soon can cause the engine to spark knock. Refer to Torque Converter Diagnosis .