[alfasteve]

Hi Folks,

2018 Camaro 2.0T 6M, 2500 miles. Love my new car, but when I roll on the gas, I hear what I call a trace knock, then it goes away. I'm talking the classic "pinging", not rod knock. However, if I roll on the gas and keep it matted the light engine knock is persistent. Naturally I don't persist in keeping it floored when I hear the knocking, but it means I'm hesitant to go full throttle. I've noticed this since I bought the car new with 10 miles.
Granted, today was over 100 degrees (I'm in SoCal), but it always seems to do this. I only run Top Tier gas, highest octane I can put in, which around here is 91. Would a tune help with this?
Thanks in advance,

Steve S.
Glendale, CA

[Zzsteve]

Does it do it if you dont lug the motor? Low rpm high boost will be the prime spot to have knock issues. You could always try a gallon of race gas on a near empty tank to see if it goes away

[Evil-Bee-NH]

A tune would help, it's probably that shitty west coast gas.

[alfasteve]

I don't lug the motor, why would I do that? It'll do it when I roll on the gas, then usually go away after a second or two, but even had higher rpm, floored, I can hear it pinging.
I don't know if west coast gas is shitty or not. I'm in CA, so it's got ethanol for sure, 10% usually. Just wondering if a tune could specifically lower the ignition timing for 91 octane as opposed to 93. Thank you.

[Evil-Bee-NH]

Might not be your engine pinging these camaros do a lot of awkward things at different times it's hard to accurately diagnose your issue without some video w/audio.

[bwiz909]

take it to your dealer and have them check it out. a tune would void your warrenty so id suggest having them looking at it first

[alfasteve]

It's the engine pinging, of that I'm sure. I'm curious what else you think it could be?

Thank you all!

Steve S.

[dekes1]

Originally Posted by alfasteve

It's the engine pinging, of that I'm sure. I'm curious what else you think it could be?

Thank you all!

Steve S.

Pull the plugs, it's a ten minute job. Look for signs of detonation, or overheating.
Also, as noted above, try adding some high-octane (race fuel). Not that crap you can get at autozone, but some genuine Cam or Torc or similar. See if the sound goes away.
If you're one of the folks dealing with a record breaking heat wave, you could drop to one step colder plugs as a remedy. You could also get a custom tune which will fix it right up.

[Nsxmatt]

You sure it's not the DI pump ticking? Not sure how different the 4 and V6 setups are but the V6 pump sounds like a tick or exhaust leak.

[alfasteve]

Really great advice, folks, thank you. I am 100% sure it's knocking. I've been into cars for around 44 years. I know what knocking sounds like. I used to adjust the timing on my GM cars until it would get a trace knock, then retard a degree a two.
I wouldn't expect to see it in the plugs, as it's just a trace knock that goes away, and naturally if I hear knocking, I back off. I'd never sustain a knocking engine, good way to blow it up. The idea of colder plugs is a great one, I'll check into that. I think a tune is in my future regardless, and thinking of ZZP on that one. I'm not looking for max HP, just a bit better driveability, no knock! I'll likely get a cat back exhaust before the tune, as it's just a bit too timid sounding. Stock, these are extremely quiet cars inside, very nice.
I would have thought the knock sensors would have done a better job?

[Nsxmatt]

Originally Posted by alfasteve

Really great advice, folks, thank you. I am 100% sure it's knocking. I've been into cars for around 44 years. I know what knocking sounds like. I used to adjust the timing on my GM cars until it would get a trace knock, then retard a degree a two.
I wouldn't expect to see it in the plugs, as it's just a trace knock that goes away, and naturally if I hear knocking, I back off. I'd never sustain a knocking engine, good way to blow it up. The idea of colder plugs is a great one, I'll check into that. I think a tune is in my future regardless, and thinking of ZZP on that one. I'm not looking for max HP, just a bit better driveability, no knock! I'll likely get a cat back exhaust before the tune, as it's just a bit too timid sounding. Stock, these are extremely quiet cars inside, very nice.
I would have thought the knock sensors would have done a better job?

A bone stock car with todays advanced OBD systems won't allow audible knock for any length of time, especially a forced induction car. The ecu will retard timing and if it still detects knock it will throw a CEL. And I'm sorry, but if you tuned a car by audible knock you don't know as much about cars as you think you do. Audible knock means you did damage about 4 degrees ago before you could even hear it. It's a new car, take it to the dealer and let them scan it while driving and actually see whats going on.

[alfasteve]

Thank you for that advice, NSXMatt, much appreciated.
Setting the timing by audible knock seemed to work on our '72 454 'vette, and '70 Olds 442 just fine. Engines lasted well over 100k miles. I'm not calling myself a pro, but I do believe I know what knocking sounds like, and it sounds very different than a DI pump ticking or an exhaust leak.

[awrj2000]

I think what your hearing is LSPI (Low Speed Pre-Ignition).

That is just a fancy new term for knock with modern engines.

If you start reading into it (LSPI) you will find studies show some oils are more prone to allow knock events.

So...maybe an oil change to something of higher quality?

Other than looking into that direction...I can't offer any other help on your issue.

[alfasteve]

I will look into it! Thank you for your reply. It's got factory Dexron in there now, full synth.

Best regards,

Steve S.