I have a 94 civic DX - all stock - got about 135000 miles on it. I'm the original owner. For the last few months I've noticed a spark knock (ticking or pinging) under light acceleration. Like on the interstate when I hit a slight uphill and have to increase the gas just a little. It stops if I give it more gas or if I let up. It does not do it with higher grade gas (but that sort of defeats the purpose of a stock civic).

I've had a mechanic hook it up to the analyzer and he can't see anything wrong.

Has anybody seen this.

Thanks

 

You know I have 2 of the exact same cars and when I first start the car up I hear a light tit tat tit tat. I thought it was a exchaust leak. But I was wrong. If I lightly hit the gas it gets a little louder then once I go a little more its gone?


Any one else?

P.S this is only one DX the other is fine

 

I get the same thing, and know someone else who does too, i was thinking maybe the valves need adjusted. I'm going to give it a try ASAP.

 

+1

Try adjusting the valve clearance. Just be sure to carefully follow the instructions for this procedure in the service manual.

 

Mine is not valves - it's not a mechanical type ping (although if I use 10w30 oil instead of 5w30 I get the valve noise you're talking about when the engine is cold)

I'm pretty sure mine is spark knock, and it's on light accelerations - like a slight rise on the interstate. I've had the timing checked and it is fine (but they only can check it at idle).

Other thoughts?