I am going to detail my situation. this is not in any sense a bitching or moaning rant. I am just going to present my observations and concerns about my truck and its original and present conditions.

I got my 2005 F150 XLT Supercab 5.4L 24v 3.73LS in July, 2005. It now has 14,000 miles.

STOCK
From the gitgo it was a dog. It did not seems to have power on takeoff and the it went into 4th at 30-45 mph and would go in/out too frequently (shouldn't be in 4th at those speeds?).

When accelerating after turning onto another street/road, it would not downshift for crap. Heavy application of throttle would result in it going into 1st gear and racing the engine. That is no better than a Hyundai Sante Fe I had which seemed pretty much like the F150 from the accelerating point. Are all drive-by-wire autos this horrible? Perhaps Saab has it right since it was started by Aircraft Engineers!

TUNER
OK, I started pondering getting a flash tuner. I eventually got a XCal2 with three tunes. 87perf, 93 tow and 93 perf. My first impression is that it does better - significantly better with all three tunes. However, my initial excitement began to wane.

I noticed pinging when accelerating. I noticed it still doesn't downshift well when u-turning are turning onto another street and giving it some moderate throttle. Say it's in 3rd or 4th - it stays there most times when accelerating. It takes practically full throttle to cause a downshift and that results in more than a one gear downshift with crazy engine speed.

The pinging was reduced by going -2 on the timing when loading a tune. It was eliminated by going -4 when loading a tune.

When accelerating from a stop (not a timed run - quite normal) it starts good and shifts pretty damn firmly then there's this lull where it seems i have let off the gas so as to maintain the speed it's at right now yet I haven't. A few (<5) seconds later it resumes accelerating. this is present for all 1-2, 2-3 shifts. When it hits 3-4 I am generally where I want to be speed wise.

Those are my observations. The -2 timing was recommended by my dealer. I was and still am concerned about taking it on a dyno with pinging on quality gasoline. I am still reluctant due to it's pinging with the timing retarded somewhat for the custom tunes. All three tunes have pinging in 1st. I do not know if it pings in other gears. I haven't heard it but there's some significant noise from the engine and 14" magnaflow.

My question is do any of these observations ring a bell and remind any of you of a condition your truck had that required maintenance to correct? I really don't want to put this on a dyno and break a rod or burn a piston or whatever because of some condition that can be isolated and corrected before the stresses of a dyno run. I have not changed any sensors or fuel filter.

Thanks.

Again, this is about my truck - not about the XCal2. The XCal2 tunes have merely amplified the conditions that were present all along. At least that's my take.

If I had a big fat bankroll, I'd dyno it today. If she blows today, I am one sucking unit!

 

Wow! Something has got to be up with your truck. That doesn't describe my truck at all; also a 2005 5.4. I've never had pinging and it downshifts nicely. I would set it to stock and take it in to Ford. It doesn't sound right man. Sorry I don't have any ideas on what could be wrong.

 

I would talk to your tuner first!! If you bring it to ford and they reprogram your computer your tuner will probably not work.

 

Sounds to me like you got water in your fuel tank.Pop the fuel line,find a mason jar and fill it up about 3/4(have someone try to start the truck and put the loose fuel line into the mason jar) then put the cap on it.Set it aside for a couple minutes to settle and see if there is a separation of fluids.If there is depending on the percentage,use a fuel dryer,or drain the tank and change the filter.
The shift patterns ?

 

I have made a few calls already. It was suggested to retard the timing -2°.
I have gone -4° b4 flashing and it still pings. Maybe the dealer is the place to take it. Something is way out of cal to have this thing pinging on good 93 octane and 93 tune or 93 tow. It also pings at -4° and 87 octane.

 

I have gone through 70+ gallons since I received the tuner. It does not ping when flashed with the stock code.

Are you thinking it is ingesting water? Wouldn't that cause it to run like hell if at all?

I know small airplanes don't fare well when they ingest water.

 

A small amount of water will mix in the fuel and cause a false octane level.The vehicle will still run to a point.

 

I am confused

First it was this

Then it was this

Did I miss something?
Sounds to me like you just need to talk to your tuner.

 

Yes, you missed something - something I should have stated more clearly.

The truck does not ping with the stock code. Downshifting is hideous when stock; the lull is there after an upshift - though not as pronounced as with a non stock tune.

 

Rooster,

It sounds like you are having a similar problem that I have. The pinging you are hearing is most likely detenation from a lean condition. These trucks come very lean stock and are amplified with mods. Have you brought in any lean codes? I would definitely change the fuel filter. You will need the little tool to get the lines disconnected. Can be purchased cheap just about anywhere. In the meantime, run your tow tune. The timing isn't advanced as much as the perf tunes.

Im curious, what other mods you have? AF1, E-fans, pulleys? Is your truck lifted with bigger tires than stock?

Stu

 

Stu, I have added a 14" Magnaflow muffler but kept the stock pipe. No other mods. I have tried the tow tune but it pings with all three tunes.

I have no codes generated since new. BTW, it will still ping slightly at any tune loaded with a -4° timing modifier selected before loading the tune.

I added a container Gumout big vehicle injector cleaner yesterday when the tank was almost out of usable gasoline - it was showing signs of fuel starvation - and added 20 gallong of petrol.
I am currently on 87 perf tune which was pinging in 1st gear or park/neutral as previously stated. I have driven 45 miles and now, it almost never pings and I am running 87 perf tune with no adjustments prior to loading - all previous tweaks were discarded before loading.

I will see how this goes. I will change the fuel filter.

 

OK, I took a stab at it. I hope it all works out. I would give Mike a call--he can probably help.

I'm going in for the dyno hoefully this week or next. I cant wait to get this project finished.

Good luck.