What is detonation in engine?

Detonation in an engine, also known as engine knock, is an abnormal combustion process that occurs when the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinder ignites spontaneously before the spark plug fires. This premature ignition causes a rapid, uncontrolled explosion that creates high pressure and temperature spikes inside the cylinder, leading to a knocking or pinging sound.

Detonation can have several causes, including incorrect ignition timing, overheating of the engine, too lean or too rich fuel mixture, poor quality fuel, or carbon buildup on engine components. It can damage the engine and reduce its performance and fuel efficiency.

To prevent detonation, engines are designed with a knock sensor that detects the vibration frequency that corresponds to engine knock and adjusts the ignition timing or fuel mixture to avoid detonation. Octane rating also plays a crucial role in preventing detonation, as higher octane fuels have a higher resistance to spontaneous combustion and can handle higher compression ratios without causing knock. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the engine components can also minimize the risk of detonation.