When my 2.2L engine is at operating temp I get a knock during
accelleration, This does not occur with a cold engine. It sounds like
the timing is off, but when I check it, the timing is where it needs to
be.
Well, a few things here.
First, make sure you're using the correct procedure to check the timing.
You need to warm the engine up to operating temperature, disconnect the
coolant temperature sensor adjacent to the point where the upper radiator
hose attaches to the cylinder head, and *then* use your timing light.
That said, the symptomology you describe points toward a malfunctioning
EGR system if your '89 is so equipped, which most of them are. Defective
or plugged-up valve, rusted or plugged-up crossover tube, or a faulty
transducer or solenoid. These are the first things to check. An easy way
to test the valve and tube is to apply vacuum to the EGR valve with the
engine idling. If the idle speed drops significantly or the engine stalls,
the valve and crossover tube are probably OK, and you need to look at the
EGR solenoid (and wiring thereto) and the vacuum hoses in the EGR system.
If your '89 is *not* equipped with EGR, which some of them are not, and
the ignition timing is OK, then the most likely cause is carbon buildup in
the combustion chambers. The 2.2 TBI engine does tend to accumulate it,
particularly on certain fuels. A good cleanthrough with BG 44K or Chevron
Techron combustion chamber cleaner may remove enough of the carbon to kill
the pinging. Also check your spark plugs to make sure they are of the
correct type -- if they are of an excessively hot heat range, they will
cause pinging.
If all of this checks out, then check your exhaust system for restriction
-- that was the cause of pinging on "acceleration" in my '92 LeBaron TBI,
though it only showed up under full-throttle/high-rpm acceleration
attempts. One of the baffles in the muffler had collapsed, seriously
restricting exhaust flow.
This is sounding like the distributor advance is not working (if it
even has one
All advance is handled by the engine control computer.
look. I have not been able to find any diagrams showing the vacuum
system of a 1989 dodge aries. The car is in great shape and I want to
keep it (mostly because I am cheap). But it still runs great.
You really need to have the factory manual if you intend to keep a
warhorse running on the cheap. Go find the *factory* manual -- not a
Chilton or Haynes or any other aftermarket piece of junk. They go by
regularly on Ebay; put in this search string:
(1989,89) (Dodge,Chrysler,Plymouth) (shop,service,workshop,repair) manual*
Even if you strike out on Ebay and wind up buying the manual new at the
dealer, it will pay for itself the first time you use it.
DS
