How does detonation occur and why does it happen? Does it happen on bone stock cars or just modded ones? Detonation basically leads to the FD needing a new engine right? sorry for the dumb question, but I'm still learning.

 

detonation is usually a preignition of the air/fuel mixture...can be caused by a number of things...gas/fuel mixture obvoiusly...bad timing.. etc. and yes it seems the apex seals on rotaries dont tolerate it too well.

 

Thanks for the answer

 

Basically it happens when the motor is running too hot, or the fuel mixture is too lean, or a combination of both. It happens because the air/fuel mixture ignites by itself under heat/pressure (compression) before the spark plugs ignite it.

The reason why this blows apex seals is easy to understand if you see how a rotary works -- premature explosion escapes the easiest way it can and since the rotor hasn't turned to the down side towards the exhaust ports, the explosion escapes through the weakest link -- the apex seals.

It can happen on bone stock cars, sure ... if the fuel system is dirty or if you're not running premium fuel (octane rating is an index measure against detonation).

 

That's just bad timing ... pre-ignition or something of the like. Detonation is technically when the mixture detonates without the spark.