Hey guys, just a quick question. Is it normal for a 2002 SVT Lightning to do any pinging during aggressive throttle tip in on the highway? I will be buying a 2002 True Blue Lightning when the buyback on my current POS 2001 Cobra is done, and it did a bit of pinging on the highway during aggressive throttle tip in. The truck had between 1/8th and 1/4th tank of gas, and it was between 2-3 months old. I will test drive the black one they also had to see if it does the same thing.

 

Hey junehhan

I have a 2002 True Blue Lightning, and there is no pinging during agressive throttle tip in or at any time, at least with my truck, and I have a little over 2000 miles on it so far.

I hope this helps.

Larry.

 

I don't think that that is 'normal'. I've never heard any pinging at tip-in or at WOT.

Maybe someone put a lower octane gas in it? I wouldn't buy one that is pinging especially if you plan on modding it.

Dan

 

I am also thinking some one put regular grade gas in it. These things run so rich stock, I don't see how it could ping (stock of course)

 

02 L, 1500 miles, have always run Shell or Amoco premium, zero problems.

 

Thanks guys, i'll make sure I take it for another test drive after I demand that they fill it up with high quality gas. If not, they have 3 other Lightnings I can choose from. Color doesn't matter to me much, but I do like blue..........

 

Red is the FASTEST you know!!!!

 

Can someone describe what pinging is to me. What does it sound like? What causes it?
Thanx

 

If it's severe it sounds like marbles in a coffee can, only " shaken, not stirred" . Otherwise its kind of a muted extra rattling noise. My Guzzi does it if the temp is above 90 and she doesn't get premium.

 

I would like to thank you guys for your responses. I test drove the red one they had in stock, and the frickin thing pinged too. It didn't ping as bad as the True Blue one that I test drove, but it still pinged under WOT. It didn't do any throttle tip in pinging, so maybe someone put bad gas into all of the *L*'s that the dealer has. They have 4 of them, and right before I finalize everything, I just might take the black one for a spin to see what it does. All of the Lightnings they have still have the original fuel that came in it from the factory, so I don't see how it could have been filled with the wrong grade fuel since they would have known better. The dealer thinks that the gas may have gone bad, and that it may have a bit of water in it from sitting outside all winter, but the engine didn't miss or have a rough idle at all. I am reluctant to get the red one since it had very sloppy steering, and the truck kept pulling to the right side on the highway. It almost felt like a bunch of people just beat it to death. I guess i'll try the black one next............

 

Junehhan,
I find it unlikely that the factory put low oct in all of them. If they were on the lot for a long time the gas could have gone bad with moisture in the tank. Another is, someone could have dumped something in the tanks. Have them flush the fuel system on the Blue one. If it no longer pings. Then tell them to change the fuel filter before you take it off the lot. Just my .02

 

Thor, all 3 Lightnings that I test drove have been sitting on the lot outside for the last 3-4 months with original factory fuel. Would enough moisture buildup in only 3 months to cause issues? Of course, we have our crazy Cincinnati weather which doesn't help!!! 75 degree's one day, and then drops down the 28 the next day.

 

junehhan

where in cincinnati are you? I'm on the west side of town - only on L that I know of around me. Shoot me an email if you like.

johnlipps@bigfoot.com

 

Hi John! It's nice to see another *L* owner here in Cincinnati. Lightnings seem to be a very rare sight as I don't see them very often. If everything goes well, and these cases of pinging were actually due to bad gas, then there will be another *L* running around cincy, probably at a rapid pace

It will probably be true blue, and i'll be getting it as soon as Ford sends me my paperwork for the buyback on my Cobra. My dealer has tagged the blue one sold, so noone else will be able to buy it. My email is jhan@cinci.rr.com , and my AIM is jhhan80.

 

junehhan,

Your pinging problems are low octane gas, Make sure the dealer fills the truck woth 90+ octane before you take delivery.
I work for the dealership up here and they come from the factory with unleaded only in them. When I do a pre-delivier inspection test drive I run them down and fill them with premium fuel the pinging goes away. As for the fuel filter change that is up to you..
Hope this helps..