ve pinging

Ummm.... If your engine is stock then it won't ping it's impossible. It has knock sensors and a shitty factory tune that's rich as hell. If its tuned then go Cut your tuners nuts out!! But if it's "pinging" and it's stock I'd say either HUGE engine problem but if not its your tune. Also if the sensor has detected knock your contact dealer light and engine light will come on.

 

These engines if stock run perfectly fine on good old unleaded, and there's no need to run higher octane fuel.

 

Pinging is certainly possible on stock engines, Ive heard it often.

Causes can be bad fuel, excessive carbon buildup, faulty knock sensor, blocked cat/s or overheating.

When did it start and is it all the time?

 

While this is true there are benefits to running high octane on standard engines including increased fuel efficiency and minor performance increases. The higher cost almost equals out with the extra kms per tank.

 

Too much advance could also be caused by a faulty coolant temp sensor or a faulty air temp sensor.

 

Its a wonder they didn't tell you to stop driving up hills!!

Anyway I suppose its normal if the car gives a slight short clink as you first gunned it up a reasonably long steep hill, but the rest of the way up the slope it should power on without any clinkety-clink noises.

 

It's a little but like going to the doctor saying my arse is itchy.

You need to provide more information Cisco...

 

Bump Bump Bump mines doing the same holdens had it three times. First time no fault found. 2nd time they said fuel, ran 98 three tanks still there, developed a ticking injector noise left bank,3rd time they saifd they took the manifold off and sprayed some **** in it ran three more tanks of 98 seemed to be good.Switched back to 95 and it returned.
Now it does it on all fuels mainly accerating under load up hills but now its doing it on level ground from 1800-2100 rpm any ides would be great P.S done 65000k's started at 40