If it's an '04, it's probably got the hotter PZT-2F plugs in it. And if it's never had one, it's probably due for a calibration update. I'd check fuel pressure and quality for starters, then replace the PZT-2 plugs with PZT-1s and reprogram the PCM if I were working on it.

 

It was recalibrated 3 months ago (for rough idle) to the latest calibration, has there been a new one since then? I plan on doing the plugs myself, I was going to wait until 100,000 but maybe the time is now. It just makes me nervous doing it with everything that I have read, but if they come out okay it can't hurt anything, right?

 

Probably. Won't know for sure if there's an updated calibration without connecting the truck to a scan tool and trying to reprogram it. In general, dealing with knock or ping problems, I always like to see the PCM at it's latest calibration since we can't manually adjust ignition timing, it's all done in the PCM.

 

Thanks, I appreciate your analysis.

 

No luck whatsoever re: my pinging problem, and I think it's time to find another dealer. Here's what happened:

I get a call yesterday from the service advisor confirming my appt. I reiterate that the truck has to be up to full temp for the pinging to occur, and asked if the tech would be looking at it right when I brought it in, she confirmed.

This morning I deliver the truck, for the 3rd time emphasize that it's got to be all warmed up to get the pinging, and again am told somebody is going to get right on it. I make sure they're going to run a scan on the truck and if necessary update the flash. Yup, ok, no problem. I hitch a ride to work.

At about 2:30 I call the dealer to find out the status. They haven't even looked at it yet and ask if I can leave it overnight. You gotta be shi$%ing me. No, I need the truck as I have an assignment out of state tomorrow (I really do, too). They ask me to call back around 4:00.

At about 3:30 I get a call from the service advisor saying the tech couldn't reproduce the pinging, and the guy asks what kind of oil I use - he asks because I don't use the dealership for routine service, and he sees the Valvoline sticker on the windsheild corner. I use synthetic and tell him so, he theorizes that that's the problem. I call BS on that one and tell him I've been using syn on all my Fords for the past 10+ years without any problem, and I go as far as to credit the long life I get out of my engines to the synthetic oil use.

I pick up the truck, it has 6 miles on the trip odometer, they never scanned it and of course didn't reflash. The advisor says that it's not wise to reflash unless necessary, and sometimes a reflash causes more problems than it solves. I again call BS on him but I don't know if he's right or if I am.

On the way home, sure enough, I get the pinging just as before, and feel like going back and throttling the fool at the dealership. What a waste of time and effort. I hope some of you guys make out better than I did, and I'm going to remain subscribed to this thread.

The only good thing here is that my problem has been documented, and if related trouble comes up after the warranty, at least I have half a shot at getting it fixed on Ford's tab. I may try another dealership but the thing is I use and need this truck on a daily basis for work and honestly can't afford to be without it.

 

Quintin, good info obviously on the too hot plugs. Mine is an 04' that pings unless I run 93 Octane.

Usually pinging is caused by a lean condition (lack of fuel pressure) or excessive timing (due to the knock sensor not working) or a bad MAF (not measuing the air correctly) or a bad IAT sensor telling the ECU its colder than it actually is and adding too much timing. The bad MAF or IAT can cause the ECU to calculate too little of a load and the ECU commands too much timing.

Quintin, how often do you find the fuel pump, FPR, knock sensor, MAF or IAT (integrated with the MAF) goes bad?

Mine is going in in the next couple of days to resolve this. Sucks to have to run 93 octane on a stock truck in order to stop 98% of the pinging.

 

having the same problem with my '01 let me know what ya find out!
Paul

 

Evtide, how is your engine pinging issue? Have you tried another dealership yet?

 

In the '04+ F150, very rarely. I've replaced one or two fuel pumps before for hard to start concerns, and a bad CHT before, that's it. All the pinging problems I've fixed were done with cooler plugs and a calibration update.

 

So if you get a reflash and the plug tsb done and you're still pinging what's the culprit?

 

I finished running a full tank of Shell 87 octane, Gumout Maximum fuel injector cleaner, cleaned the MAF and recently changed the fuel filter. After the injector cleaner and tank of Shell the pinging seems to be gone and I've tried it in every sweet spot. I will be changing to the cooler plugs before next summer and if needed going to the dealer for the latest calibration or just getting a tune. So I'm happy for now!

 

Dunno. What's your fuel pressure and fuel trims? Fuel quality? Baro reading?

 

I don't know that info.

I have played the octane and gas station game for a while and there's still slight pinging. My dealership did a reflash, then later did the plug tsb, and I still get a ping. I only have 26,000 on the truck, maybe another dealer visit about this is in store. It seems to run fine, but a little ping means it's not. This gets confusing sometimes, the truck is a daily driver.

 

There's a little more testing to do after plugs/recal if it's still pinging. I'd start with suspecting a contaminated MAF.

 

Yeah, I do have a k/n filter, but it pinged before I put it in so that didn't contaminate the MAF. I've heard of those going bad.