Pinging / Knocking in high gear medium load

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mdrobnak

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Hey all...as the subject says...it seems in the last few days (that I've noticed, anyway) that the car has started pinging under certain conditions...like 35 mph or more, cruising along, then giving it a little more gas, just enough to make it want to move more, but not nearly enough to make it downshift...the car pings a bit...sometimes very noticably, sometimes only for a few moments, sometimes for a while but lightly...

Anyone else have similar problems? What should I look at first? I haven't changed the air, fuel filter(s?), fuel pump(s?), or spark plugs since I've got the car...I got it with 102k, it's got 107k on it...Did have a oil and transmission flush though.

I datalogged it tonight, but didn't get a chance to really look at it though...One thing I noticed was that the IAT (Intake Air Temp) readings were around 120 degrees at idle...with 72 degree ambient temps...Isn't that kinda high? I mean, my friends non-intercooled supercharged Mustang would get that hot, but I've never seen an NA car with 50 degrees over ambient temps at idle......Fuel trims are in check, like +- 2 - 3%, 93 octane gas always, usually Sunoco, Fuel pump duty cycle 35% at idle. Thats about all I can think of for now.

Thanks everyone.

-Matt
 
I'm not a mechanic by any means but I would think that that temp sensor is your problem.

In my car, with a cone filter and no heat sheid, intake temp only gets 10 to 20 degrees higher than outside temps while parked.
 
what is your baro pid show you.check for a restricted fuel filter.lean condition could cause spark knock/ping
 
My car does the same thing. Drives me crazy to hear it. I use the 93 octane.

So is a tune up instore? How much would that cost at the dealer>
 
Yikes..Sorry for not responding earlier..I thought the forum auto-subscribes you to posts you make...

Anyway, it's not temp related apparently - I can make it ping about 30 seconds after I start the car (ie, get off my street and onto a hill)...

I have a bottle of Techron fuel injector cleaner in there, hoping it'll help...

I took the spark plug cover off the passenger side this weekend - a LITTLE bit of oil, not a whole lot..the coil plugs are definately not swimming in it by any means lol. I did see one of them was replaced...and one I can't get off..seems like a stripped bolt grrr..

I'll look into the barometric pressure...never throught of it..I hope my scanner supports it lol...

Thanks,
-Matt
 
Never thought of that..the oil would lower the effective octane of the gas, thus causing it to ping....

What's the easiest way to check?

Thanks,
-Matt
 
Take apart your air intake tube and look for a wet spot. Or, disconnect the intake-to-PCV tube and put your finger in it and see how oily it is. I haven't ever played with the intake on my Lincoln, so I'm not sure how it's laid out...
 
I'll see about it this weekend...Tonight i had fun with my coolant reservior being close to empty :-( Have no idea how that happened - when everything was checked about 1500 miles ago (oil change) levels looked ok, no leaks...Doesnt look like there's a leak now. We'll see how the car drives the next few days.

-Matt
 
I ran around this problem for a while on my 97 merq before it really became an issue. I think, because this is the same thing I was getting on mine, that you may have the Mass Air Flow sensor out of calibration, or on it's way out. The IAC sensor may be out too. I'm going to guess you have a K&N Filter? If your Baromateric pressure reading, more specifically your altitude is way high, look to replace your MAF. It took me 3 years and 50k some odd miles to figure this one out. All it took was one poorly installed air cleaner (the lid wasn't sealed right) from a body shop, for two days to do the initial damage. Apparently all it takes is a little material on the sensor face to screw it up royaly. Let us know.
 
Nope, looked at it today - barometric pressure (calculated) read 28.8. actual is supposedly about 30, according to weather.com...so it's definately in the ballpark. The knocking (I incorrectly called it pinging) has been subdued to a pinging...lol..It's not as bad as it was before, in other words. So I think that helped..but I will definately be changing out the fuel filters as soon as I can afford it - as well as changing out the thermostat for good measure (and watching the coolant reservior more closely).

-Matt
 
Well, as an update...needed to get a coolant hose replaced...it was from the reservior, near the firewall...way expensive. :-(

Anyway, from what I now understand, the V8 does not have a PCV valve...so that's out..

I'm going to be ordering a air filter and fuel filter from my ford source, and putting those in, and seeing if things improve...

What do you guys think of Sea Foam engine cleaner? Or what would you guys recommend?

Thanks,
-Matt
 
I have heard NOTHING BUT good about sea foam!!!! people on the GM-Trucks.com use ALL the time with good results.
 
Hmm where would be a good spot to put it into the intake tract on the LS V8? I know it suggests PCV ...but we dont have one lol...
-Matt
 
I seafoamed my LS about two weeks ago. It was running a little rough but
now it's smoother than it's ever been. We do have a PCV (positive crankcase
ventilation)system on or cars, there just isn't a PCV valve. If you look on the pass.
valve cover, there is a preformed plastic tube that goes to the intake plenum.
Just take that off and put some rubber fuel line (don't remember the size) on the
plenum side to suck up the Seafoam.
 
Ah, cool. Thanks.

-Matt

PS I figured we had a PCV system, just got confused.
 
ARGH!

I'm glad I have a cautious nature sometimes -- the day after the LS was "fixed" I smelled coolant - I figured it could have been spilled somewhere so I didn't think much of it, but made a note to check...Well this morning I checked, and the coolant level was about 1.5 inches below the "cold" line in the reservior...I'm VERY pissed off...I think they missed something when they replaced that hose, cause it's still leaking (not as fast now it seems, but it's still leaking)...GRRR

Sorry, had to vent.

-Matt
 
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