Low RPM spark knock

[concretejungle]

I haven't messed with the timing at all, and normally run 93 octane in the cruiser. But now with gas prices at wallet breaking levels, i have been putting in the 87 cheapy stuff (still $2.00/gallon). I have noticed with my windows down and the air conditioning off (i guess i can hear it echoing off cars beside me) when i start to accelerate from a stop at low RPMs i'm getting some spark knocking. It seems to only occur at 800 to 1,500 RPMs ???. I know i have read on here most guys run regular gas with no problems. What's the deal? You think it's plugs? They are only 1 year old bosch platinum.

 

[cruiserdan]

What is your baseline timing?

Oh, my experience is that Toyota engines do not particularly care for other than Nippondenso plugs. I'm not necessarily suggesting it's the plugs but If the base timing is at 3 degrees then it may be. Also 87 is a bit low for octane if you are at a lower altitude. Remember that the 1FZ is a 9 to 1 compression motor.

 

[concretejungle]

I have no idea what my timing is Dan. I can look at my FSM, but to be honest, i'm not really sure how to check. Doesn't it take one of those light guns that hooks to a plug wire and pulses while the motor is running? I was going to get some plug caps (since mine are old and i've had water leak down one before) plug wires and put in denso irredium plugs. Just haven't had any extra $$ lately.

 

[Rookie2]

Jungle-man,

Pretty easy to check the timing if you've got a timing light. I'm sure you've got a neighbor or someone at work that's got one, if you don't want to drop the cash right now. Also, I bet you could pick one up on ebay cheap-cheap. Anyways, just follow the FSM, jump TE1 and E1 in the DLC1 with a paperclip.. then line up the little white line with the 3 on the engine block, by rotating the distributor, and your golden.

C-dan, any specific type plug to get on the Nippendenso's, and are these corner Auto store plugs. I may need to swap mine out too.

Thanks,
Rookie2

 

[RavenTai]

yes you need a timing light, someone you know probably has one you can borrow, it does not tap in directly to the plug wire it has an I induction coil that wraps around the #1 plug wire . Check the FSM for shorting the diagnostic plug to get base timing,


I don’t know much about the Iridium plugs but standard OEM plugs are under 2$/each from Dan IIRC and last fairly well I don’t see how you can go wrong with them, test your plug wires for resistance per the fsm and examine the terminals if everything checks out just get cap rotor and plugs


*EDIT R2 has fast fingers

 

[concretejungle]

thanks all for the info. I'll see what i can do over the weekend.

 

[e9999]

just got meself a brand new Sears timing light from a garage sale... cheap...
garage sales are great for tools...
E