Alright my car is a 99.5 1.8T w/ 49k on it...i posted a few times about a "ticking" noise i was hearing when accelerating. Took it to my mechanic and he said I am pinging due to low quality gas. In CT they dont have 93 octane, (at least where I am) they just have 89, 91 and 95. I have been using 91. This ever happen to anyone?

Also, my gas mileage isnt that good, and my mechanic took a ride in the car and called me saying "Damn this thing is fast, you got a chip?" I have no idea if it is chipped, all I know is that it has a Borla full catback exhaust. Can anyone tell me detailed instructions to get to the ECU to see if its chipped? Thanks for your help.

 

Where in CT? Im near hartford and they have 93 everywhere around here. I wonder what 95 costs, as id love to run it in my car.

 

And yes you will ping with bad gas.

 

I would try running the highest octane you could get just to be safe even though prices suck, detonation's a killer. my guess is that if it pulls hard, it is most likely chipped cause at 3300+ lbs, the stock 150hp is not really trying to get you anywhere fast. other than the booty dyno, probably the only other way is to pop the ecu and see if there is an after market chip in there.

 

Im from New Britain, and all of the Exxons have 95 for about 2.70. I didnt think 91 octane was "bad gas"
Anyone know how i can check if I have a chip?

 

How do you not know dude ?

 

Pop your ECU to see if there is an aftermarket chip in there.

You should also get a VAGcom and see if there are any codes there. If you are knocking, there should be some codes saved for possible lean conditions.

Could be bad gas, bad MAF, bad 02 sensor, or bad mechanic.