4.6L Pinging HELP!!!!
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
4.6L Pinging HELP!!!!
Hey everyone. It's been a few years since I've been at the site. I used to be very active and now I hope you all can help me.
I am not really mechanically inclined or own that many tools, but I would like to try and resolve my pinging problem without getting ripped off by the dealer.
I have a '98 4.6L automatic with 105k miles. I pointed out the pinging to the dealer when I first got it (I am the original owner)and was told it didn't exist and it seems I am really the only one that can hear it. Again I have heard this for years now.
When the engine is under stress (going up hills, downshifting or towing my quads) I hear a very slight rattle/ping. Normally I try not to push the truck past 2,500 RPM (I feel like I might be pushing the engine too much and want it to last. This is my first vehicle with over 100k) when towing or going up hills. Therefore I really drive by RPM's and not speed. I have noticed last week that the pinging is less if I push it to 2,900 - 3,000 RPM and take off overdrive when pulling my quads upstate.
I have tried mixing 89 & 87, fuel injection cleaner, octane booser...
The dealer told me these engines were built & set up for 87 only, anything higher would be a waste of money and make the truck run poorly.
My question is too fold(finally I get to the question):
1. Is this causing damage to my engine?
2. How can I try and resolve this?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! I apologize for the long winded message, but I know from past threads the more information the easier it is for someone to understand my problem.
I am not really mechanically inclined or own that many tools, but I would like to try and resolve my pinging problem without getting ripped off by the dealer.
I have a '98 4.6L automatic with 105k miles. I pointed out the pinging to the dealer when I first got it (I am the original owner)and was told it didn't exist and it seems I am really the only one that can hear it. Again I have heard this for years now.
When the engine is under stress (going up hills, downshifting or towing my quads) I hear a very slight rattle/ping. Normally I try not to push the truck past 2,500 RPM (I feel like I might be pushing the engine too much and want it to last. This is my first vehicle with over 100k) when towing or going up hills. Therefore I really drive by RPM's and not speed. I have noticed last week that the pinging is less if I push it to 2,900 - 3,000 RPM and take off overdrive when pulling my quads upstate.
I have tried mixing 89 & 87, fuel injection cleaner, octane booser...
The dealer told me these engines were built & set up for 87 only, anything higher would be a waste of money and make the truck run poorly.
My question is too fold(finally I get to the question):
1. Is this causing damage to my engine?
2. How can I try and resolve this?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! I apologize for the long winded message, but I know from past threads the more information the easier it is for someone to understand my problem.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Guyton, GA USA
My 97 also has this problem. I have found that by adding a can of Seafoam to the gas tank every few thousand mile helps reduce the pinging. You can get it at your local NAPA store. Just empty the can into a tank of gas.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
My 2000 5.4 pinged like that. All the other usual causes were proven not to be the case the dealer finally retarded the timing doing a reflash on the PCM. Caused no loss of power and improved the gas mileage from 16 to 18 mpg.
Was a long miserable to say the least. Expensive replacing MAF, DPFE,EGR and CTS along with having injectors cleaned and pressure regulation checked. Several fuel filters. Took a lot to convince them it was the PCM causing it.
Pinging should not happen all the time in any situation. Ocasional is just that. You shouldn't be ready to hear it ping at a given time unless you know the timing is off or you are running lean. Most engines survive quite a bit of it but I wouldn't say it is ok to let it happen.
tom
Was a long miserable to say the least. Expensive replacing MAF, DPFE,EGR and CTS along with having injectors cleaned and pressure regulation checked. Several fuel filters. Took a lot to convince them it was the PCM causing it.
Pinging should not happen all the time in any situation. Ocasional is just that. You shouldn't be ready to hear it ping at a given time unless you know the timing is off or you are running lean. Most engines survive quite a bit of it but I wouldn't say it is ok to let it happen.
tom
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 9
From: Wisconsin
trk, took me years to convince my Dad that an engine should not work hard at low RPM, and it's good to rev it once in a while. Not WOT, but make it work hard when the engine is warm.
If it's just carbon, the two best cleaners I've seen available are Lube Control's Fuel Power, and Schaeffers Neutra 131. I run a mix of the two. The current mix rate is 3:1 and treatment is 1 oz per 5 gallons of gas. I see a few who mix 4 oz of outlaw as an octane booster, but I've never tried it.
Did you try resetting the PCM?
If it's just carbon, the two best cleaners I've seen available are Lube Control's Fuel Power, and Schaeffers Neutra 131. I run a mix of the two. The current mix rate is 3:1 and treatment is 1 oz per 5 gallons of gas. I see a few who mix 4 oz of outlaw as an octane booster, but I've never tried it.
Did you try resetting the PCM?
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 9
From: Wisconsin
Simple! Disconnect the battery. Turn the head light switch on to drain remaing power from PCM. Let sit for at least 10 min. Turn head light switch off. Connect battery. Start it and let it idle until rpm drops below 1000. Drive until engine warms up then give it a work out and test for results.