I got a 2008 F150 5.4 FX4 and just got my programmer the other day and have been running it on Level II ever since and love the difference but tonight I was coming home from work and it started knocking pretty good around 1500 RPMs. I have a drop-in K&N but it has run fine with it for days. I stopped and put it back to stock and it was fine. The only difference was it was the coldest it's been - about 40 degrees but not sure if that's what made it knock. Anyone else ever had this happen?

I know I need to get this upgraded to a Gryphon

TommyRox

 

I've never had the symptoms you describe, but first, let's make sure you and I are thinking about the same thing. By "knocking", are you saying "pinging"? I'm going to go on that assumption here.

Was the engine under load at 1500 rpm or was it "cruising"? Putting a load on an engine that is tuned "close" to the point of pinging might just tip it over into the pre-ignition region.

Had you just filled up the gas tank, possibly at a different station than the one you normally use? Is it possible the gas you used was a slightly lower octane than 87?

Cold air is more dense and that COULD cause the engine to run lean if the PCM didn't increase the fuel flow accordingly. A lean running engine is more prone to pinging than one running at the correct fuel/air mixture ratio.

Finally, you DO have the ability to adjust the ignition timing in the "advanced" menu of the Edge when you program it at Level 2. If you are getting pinging at the stock timing setting there, I'd try reducing the advance by the smallest increment possible (I think that's 0.5%) and see if it helps or corrects the pinging.

- Jack

 

I've had slight pinging with my PHP 87 performance tune when I filled up with some bad gas. Changed back to my normal Shell and no more pinging.

 

I have the same issue with my tune on my SCT and I took 2*off of 0-2K and 2-4K and it is gone.

I am having some adjustments made so I do not need to adjust it.

 

Thanks for all the replies! Oddly enough mine just stopped out of the blue and it runs great again. Perhaps it was bad gas. I have heard Shell gas mentioned before. Is this the best gas to get?

 

For many tears, I thought gas was gas, but with this truck, I have maintained a record of every gas purchase for 77,000 miles. I was shocked to see that I got better mpg with the certain brands. Shell, Texaco, Chevron, QT, Conoco and Phillips. Plus, they have a good detergent and I think that is one reason my plugs came out without breaking at 65,000 miles. I get worse mpg with Exxon/Mobil and most unbranded.

Some will dispute what I have to say, and that is fine. I have the spreadsheet that proves it to me.

 

Interesting you say that because I have an Exxon card and that's what I normally run but will try a little experiment with the other brands and see what happens - thanks for the info bluejay432000

 

Years ago when cars still had carburators (never thought I'd hear myself say that) I found that Texaco and Exxon would give my car the dreaded "Run-On", or dieseling as it was known. Shell was the best, followed by Amoco, and then a few others. I learned back then that fuel brand made a difference and still live by those rules. Any time I move to a new area, I try all the local stations and see which fuel works best for my vehicles. Unfortunately with where I live know, I have more hole-in-the-wall gas stations than I do brand ones and have to get what I get, but I do notice a difference when I get out on the highway and can fill up with a quality brand name... especially in mileage.

Take care.