Pinging at WOT...
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tom3
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With these newer designed engines running the high compression ratios I use minimum of mid grade gas. When I fill up at Sam's Club I get premium as it's the same price as mid grade at other stations. I guess I'm just "old school" but 11 : 1 CR is Hi Perf. stuff.
iamdub
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Sounds like it's the "normal" pinging. A few ticks when you first floor it then it quickly retards the timing to stop it. You'd be hard-pressed to feel the reduction in power so, to you, it's just the noise that occurs for a half a second or so. If you're trying to pinch pennies, you could continue to run 87 or run 89 and just drive easy during warmer weather. Thing is, there will be times when you'll need to mash that pedal.
As @91RS said, a few bucks extra in fuel costs will always be cheaper than a new engine. Just remember the E85 thing, if yours is capable.
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SilverSport
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the page quoted from the Owners Manual by wjburken shows that GM recommends 87 octane for the 6.0 LQ4...
I have no problem using higher octane or paying more for it but the Owners Manual states this small issue is normal...this is the reason I asked here as I am new to this particular GMT800 but not to GM (or other) V8 engines...
thanks for your feedback and information,
Bill
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I don’t know where that came from but it is definitely not “normal.” I thought I remember there being a sticker on the fuel cap door that says mid-grade recommended but I haven’t worked in one in a while. regardless, the owners manual in SI for a 2006 Yukon Denali says:
“Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, an audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs service.”
“Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, an audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs service.”
Mudsport96
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I get this occasionally in my 06 when it is above 95 outside and the AC is blasting.
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SilverSport
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where it came from is right from the owners manual...
the LQ9 engine requires higher octane but not the LQ4 which I have...there is no sticker nor mention of using anything higher than 87 octane in my owners manual unless there is heavy knocking which I am not getting
thanks again,
Bill
I do appreciate your response but I don't get anything more than what is written above...I may try the higher octane next fill up but I have read some people have tried the higher octane only to get no relief from what I am experiencing...
the LQ9 engine requires higher octane but not the LQ4 which I have...there is no sticker nor mention of using anything higher than 87 octane in my owners manual unless there is heavy knocking which I am not getting
thanks again,
Bill
I guess this is no different than the oil debate. It calls for 5W-30 but someone makes a thread about wanting to run 15W-40 diesel oil because of whatever reason and nothing anyone will say will convince them to run the right thing.
What I posted is straight from the owners manual on GM’s Service Information which I pulled up yesterday. So, unless GM changed what the manual says (which is possible), what was posted above isn’t from the service manual, or at least isn’t the latest version, but should be disregarded either way as far as I’m concerned. I’m not trying to be a keyboard cowboy and be right, you hurting your vehicle doesn’t affect my life at all. I just posted what is straight from GM.
Spark knock isn’t normal and is bad for the pistons. Will you actually damage one? Who knows but why take the risk over a few extra dollars per fill up? Engines are expensive. If you have spark knock you should increase the octane. Simple as that. I’ll sign off this thread and you can do what you want.
What I posted is straight from the owners manual on GM’s Service Information which I pulled up yesterday. So, unless GM changed what the manual says (which is possible), what was posted above isn’t from the service manual, or at least isn’t the latest version, but should be disregarded either way as far as I’m concerned. I’m not trying to be a keyboard cowboy and be right, you hurting your vehicle doesn’t affect my life at all. I just posted what is straight from GM.
Spark knock isn’t normal and is bad for the pistons. Will you actually damage one? Who knows but why take the risk over a few extra dollars per fill up? Engines are expensive. If you have spark knock you should increase the octane. Simple as that. I’ll sign off this thread and you can do what you want.
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SilverSport
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first off I appreciate what you wrote...you asked where I got my information from and it is written right in the owners manual...
your latest response you mention your response was based on GM's Service Information...that's the first I had read this...I believe GM's service information would be more current than an 18 year old owners manual...
I asked here because I don't know if this is "normal" or not and I believed it not to be normal and that prompted my asking on this Forum...
...I read here on this Forum, advice that I should go with higher octane...that higher octane won't make a difference...that what I am experiencing is normal...that it is not normal...at what point do I decide whom to believe???...prior to your last response the only thing from GM I had was from the owners manual...now you've added the GM Service Information...I did not have that information prior
I appreciate everyone's responses and I have to gauge what I do by those responses gathered here and elsewhere...when someone has more information I assume gleaned from years of working on or experience I weigh that more heavily than I do some anecdotal responses...
thank you for your responses...
Bill
your latest response you mention your response was based on GM's Service Information...that's the first I had read this...I believe GM's service information would be more current than an 18 year old owners manual...
I asked here because I don't know if this is "normal" or not and I believed it not to be normal and that prompted my asking on this Forum...
...I read here on this Forum, advice that I should go with higher octane...that higher octane won't make a difference...that what I am experiencing is normal...that it is not normal...at what point do I decide whom to believe???...prior to your last response the only thing from GM I had was from the owners manual...now you've added the GM Service Information...I did not have that information prior
I appreciate everyone's responses and I have to gauge what I do by those responses gathered here and elsewhere...when someone has more information I assume gleaned from years of working on or experience I weigh that more heavily than I do some anecdotal responses...
thank you for your responses...
Bill
Marky Dissod
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If higher octane fuel does NOT make ANY difference at all whatsoever, then you have an unusual problem.
Since your engine does not have forged pistons, every tiny ping represents another wee lil bit of infinitesimal yet cumulative piston damage.
I'd guess either:
some very mild restriction in the fuel system, overcome once just above idle
your coils are collectively nearing the end of their service life and will soon need replacing
both
Since your engine does not have forged pistons, every tiny ping represents another wee lil bit of infinitesimal yet cumulative piston damage.
I'd guess either:
some very mild restriction in the fuel system, overcome once just above idle
your coils are collectively nearing the end of their service life and will soon need replacing
both
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