Hello there. Owning a '94 945T, I've been experiencing what I've posted on this board as "pinging" and maybe, "not pinging." Some days I'm convinced it's actually pinging, and other days, I say, nah, that sounds like "pinging" but it just cant be. What ever the unknown cause to me yet, the quasi-pinging sound does come from under the hood, only surfaces under the lightest of pressure to the accelerator, disappears with a reasonable load to the throttle (which no longer points to "pinging"), and then re-appears when you just begin to let your foot off of the accelerator. In my last quest for help on this matter, some suggested that I abandon the Bosch Platinums and return to Bosch non-plats. I did this yesterday, and while it seems to have no particular effect on the "pinging" issue, it MAY have made it worse - certainly did not remove it. Fuel is premium, always Mobil 1 synthetic in C.Case, 89K WELL serviced miles. One of the things that I'm now considering is the Bougicord ignition wires. They are dated 1994, so I have to believe that they are the original ones that came with the car. How long to ignition wires last, and is it remotely possible that this might contribute to the "pinging" issue?

Other thoughts have now turned to peripherals. Timing belt was replaced at 55K miles, but I CAN imagine the the "pinging" just might be a bearing going out on the tensioner, or the tensioner just not holding the belt tight causing the T. belt to vibrate under specific load/non-loads making, possibly striking the inside areas under the T.Belt cover.

Finally, I am also thinking about fan belts and possibly the alternator (as it sounds closest to this area), that might be going on bearing wise, and again, under certain light load, and release from light load, this noise emanates which made me think, ...you guessed it, "pinging."

Anyrate, the question relates to the life of the Bougicords, best replacements and life expectancy for the original equipment. Thanks for all the constant help on here and wealth of collective wisdom, it's been FANTASTIC. There'll be drinks for all when the "pinging" is found and destroyed, and I can get on with the business of developing a rapport with this newly purchased car. Until then, this "pinging" acts like a annoying third party who's always butting his/her way into my attempts to have a meaningful relationship with my new car! ; )

Thanks again!

Sincerely,

JB