Ranting about my auto dealership....

[politicat]

I've got a Hyundai Accent. I'm halfway through my warranty, and the engine is pinging - pre-ignition pings. Now, I know what this means - the fuel is igniting early. So either the timing's off, there's carbon in the cylinders, or the Electronic control system is fucked.

(I'm using the proper gas for my car, and in fact because of altitude, I'm actually using higher effective octane than the manual calls for.)

Today is the fifth time car's been in the shop to get this little problem fixed. They keep re-timing it (which does no good) and telling me "okay, all better."

Lazy bastards. If they don't get it this time, we're going to another dealership.

Though... thank the computer gods for wireless internet connections. At least I can still "work".


Politicat

(I love my car - other than this problem, it's been a trooper, and is the most efficient thing I can buy with a less than 18 month waiting period....)

[physioex]

1. You diagnonis may not be correct...

Possible carbon in the cylinders but it is more likely the valves. As the injector sprays on the valves, deposits tend to collect there.

As far as timing goes, there isn't a way to correct timing on many newer cars. They have a crank position sensor which sends information to the computer. Then the computer fires the ignition coil based on this information and many other sensors. I am not sure about the type of ignition system on that particular car. It's probably best to check the functioning of the EGR system and the other various sensors suchs as the O2, MAP, and MAF.

If the Electronic Control System is fucked then you would have to replace the box, but that would have to be after a full diagnonsis.

When it comes to Hyundai's in general, with the price point so low it is more important to make the sale and the warranty gets second priority.