golf mk 111 1996 pinking

[ih]

hi
my golf mk3 started pinking (when i accelerate there was noise like tappets/ valves making noise)The pinking was bad for few days and then
when i filled up petrol the pinking reduced drastically and still has little.
1.Do i use super 98 octane one time every month to clean the fuel system(i read in a forum on the net) OR do i use it only once OR i should not bother.
2.Is the problem related to timing?
3.Do i use fuel additives ?
4. Do i use octane booster additives.
i will appreciate and advise/help. Thanking in advance.
ih

 

[Belle427]

it could well be contaminated fuel,have you checked the ignition timing out?

 

[ih]

ch 427 thanks for the response.
Also i have noticed that fuel consumption is up.
1. If the fuel is contaminated what action can i take to put it right.
2.No i have not checked the timing on the distributer if i need to advance or ******.
any help will be appreciated as it is nuicense.
thanks

 

[GUSS]

Interesting you say when you filled up with fuel the problem improved.
Contrary to popular belief not all fuel is the same, Shell and the like spend a fortune on fuel development have stable refining processes and put additives in their petrol and diesel fuels, if you are buying your fuel from supermarkets then you get what you get, like the old saying you get what you pay for.

Have you noticed any misfires when idling?

 

[Stivino]

Does that car not have knock sensor?

 

[ih]

guss thanks for your input. There is no misfire when idling also tried shell v power and am st5ill getting the problem.
stivino thanks for input. I don't know if the car has knock sensor
now i am beginning to suspect the problem is timing related perhaps somebody can guide me on how to do it
thanks all in advance
ih

 

[GUSS]

why are you using high octane fuel on a standard setup, engines are designed to run on standard fuel so by increasing the octane level could actually make things worse. Dependent on the type of ignition system controls the possibility of a do it yourself job, unless the car has a standard ignition set up (points and distributor) its possibly best to take the car and have it put on a sun tune diagnostic unit or the like, at least then you will know whether the problem is on the ignition or fuel side

 

[^neo^]

What model is it? (Gti, driver etc)

 

[2scoops0406]

It does sound like the timing is out, putting 98 octane unleaded may mask the problem, by allowing for iginition at higher compression, but this is not the answer. 1st and cheapest, get the timing checked ???

 

[ih]

golf 1800cc adz 66kw (1.8 se) monotronic
thanks
appreciate all the contribution and note the use of octane

 

[^neo^]

Hall sender in the distributor can cause problems.
Also check the crank position sensor (pretty sure it has one) located underneath / behind the dizzy. The wiring tends to go hard and crack over the years.