by 
The Curious Bag
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Unless you own a diesel-engine vehicle, detonation is something to be avoided at all costs. This condition has probably lead to the early demise of more engines than any other.
Definition
Also known as pre-ignition, "deiseling" or "engine knock," detonation is the unintentional detonation of gasoline in the engine's cylinders.
Sound
Engine detonation usually sounds like a bunch of wet marbles being swirled around in a coffee can, but has also been described as sounding like "rocks in a blender."
Conditions
This condition will generally occur under heavy acceleration from low acceleration or while ascending a steep incline.
Causes
The most common cause of detonation is using lower octane gasoline than your engine requires, but can also be caused by carbon buildup, maladjusted ignition advance, using improper spark plugs or a lean fuel condition.
Damage
Detonation causes an extreme buildup of temperature in an engine's cylinders and can result in anything from melted spark plugs to a blown engine.
Source:
Engine Basics: Detonation and Pre-Ignition
High Performance Pontiac Magazine
Resource:
Detonation Spark-Plug Diagnosis (Video)
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