In a previous post titled, “pinging”, I asked anyone if they could tell me about the almost constant pinging noise on accelerating above 30 mph that my Ford F150 (18,000 miles, 2004’, 4.6 liter engine w/ 1,500 lb slide-on camper) was making. I since took the truck to the dealer and did a test drive with their “best” mechanic, after they could not hear the pinging noise themselves. I drove it up the road and as the pinging noise began, I said to the mechanic “there it is”. The mechanic stated that the noise was not pinging, but a known rattling problem associated with the air intake. As the air does a circuitous circulation, the plastic intake rattles. Has anyone else heard of this or are they giving me a bogus diagnosis, covering up a more significant problem?
Regards,
L

 

hello,my name is gene. do you still have the pinging problem ? I had that problem with my 01 /V-6 . you can reach me at genesaunders_69@bellsouth.net ,,, gene

 

Are you running 87 octane?

Try running a few tanks of 89 octane. If it goes away, then you've got more info to take to the mechanic.

 

ping/knock/detonation has a much different sound than plastic rattling. If you've heard a car ping before it sounds more like shaking a glass full of ice cubes. Sometimes a higher octance fuel won't help, depending on the cause of the detonation, but it's worth a shot.

 

My '97 4.6 sounded like 2 skeletons fornicating on a tin roof, (whilst I was climbing hills/accelerating) cleaning the MAF cured that problem. How well does your truck handle the camper?