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Scott:
He has de-constructed
one or more pistons in the prior engine - detonation was the
culprit.
Amazingly, probably not! We have watched many
detonation events--some even heavy detonation events--some for extended
periods-without any ill effects on the piston, cylinder or engine in general.
The danger is these turning into pre-ignition, usually from a damaged spark plug
from the detonation. That can destroy the engine in 30 seconds and while our
observations are that detonation doesn't hole a piston, pre-ignition will do it
in a heartbeat.
Detonation gets blamed for a lot for which it is completely
innocent! <g>
Walter
Walter, I agree detonation will not quickly cause catastrophic damage to an
engine. However, if you ever tear down an engine and see pot marks on the
piston....that's the result of detonation. This can get bad enough to erode the
edge of the piston away and break down the ring lands and the rings. I was
driving a dyno once and saw the beam fall and before I could accept something
was wrong....there was an explosion in the crankcase....pre-ignition....30
seconds is a good bet.
Craig Berland
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