Well today I took my truck to the ford dealership to have my pinging problem looked at. The truck is a 98 4.6l supercab 4x4 with 91,000 km that has been pinging (spark knock) since around 30,000 km. I've tried various carbon cleaners and different fuels with no luck, also I just replaced the plugs and all filters. Any how the dealership checked my PCM and said the program is up todate my code is the dreaded FOU1, also there diagnostics showed no codes and everything appears OK. What they suggested is a carbon clean of the intake system at a price of 129.95 + taxes (canadian). Has anybody had this done and does it work? Any other thought ideas or opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mark

 

If you could get a guarentee of some type from the dealership that this will take care of your problem, I'd go for it, but personally I don't think they will and I don't think it will completely take care of your problem. I've got a 98 4.6 with the FOU1 program aswell, and just started noticing the pinging starting again here in the last week as the temperatures have dropped. From what I've read on here, cleaning the MAF and DPFE sensors is the best place to start. I'd also consider getting a chip from Mike to replace the FOU1 program that have been a problem. (From what I've been told they can correct the problem even on a program designed for 87 octane gas.) I'm about to start the same process so we'll see where i end up!

 

Thanks for the reply STX/98 I forgot to mention that I also cleaned my MAF and the DPFE sensor when I changed the plugs last week. Maybe a superchip is the answer? But I'd like to exhaust every other option first.

 

I completely agree... I'm trying to go thru everything else first before I get the chip aswell so I won't be covering up the problem with the chip. Did cleaning your MAF/DPFE sensor make any difference at all? Also, do you only notice the pinging in cooler weather?

 

Count me in too. 4.8 ping ping ping ping ping..... whatever we can figure out will be great. If the dealer won't give you a guarantee, oh well, I'd do it anyway. Infact, now that you've posted it in Canadian funds, it doesn't sound that bad. If you do go for it, let us know, because I'm getting tired of worrying about the engine. I'm going to call around tomorrow and find out if I can get a price.

 

I notived the pinging in mine about a month ago. Mine only happens when it is cold outside ( say around 55 or so) and I am above about 4K RPMS. I noticed when I did run some Chevron Techron and then a tank of 93 it did not ping as much. I am not sure of my computer code as it was reflased and the sticker has faded. Hope you all figure out all the fixes.

 

My 97 F-150 SuperCab 4.6L Lariat is a pinger too. Started at about 65,000 mile and I am now at 79,000. I did all the suggested cleanings (MAF,etc...) and also cleaned the throttle body and intake (alot of carbon came out!) Still pinging some. Mine seems to do it more in warm weather than cold. Could it be the Oxygen Sensors? I have 4 on my truck (2 upstream and 2 downstream). I have been told that the two downstream O2 sensors after the catalytic converter are designed to be changed at about 75,000 miles (or sooner if burned up of fouled). Has anyone here tried changing the O2 sensors. I bought the special socket for changin them last weekend and am contemplating changing the two downstream sensors (I have been quoted about $50.00 each for new Bosch sensors).

Rick

Clinton Township, MI.

 

rick_k1974,

Regarding the HO2 sensors, I've changed all 4 of mine over the past 3 weeks. If your sensors are sending the wrong signals than it could make it ping. I can guarantee that you'd notice if they went bad because the truck would suck gas a shake horribly.

If you want to change them it is not that difficult. Warm up the pipes and spray some penetrating oil onto the threads. The downstream sensors are no problem but the manifold sensors are difficult to get leverage on. You can get at the drivers side sensor through the wheel well but the passenger side needs to be accessed through the engine compartment. Just wear gloves and pull really hard, they'll break free.

 

Thanks for the info AJ

I am curious, did you use aftermarket (Bosch) replacement sensors or Ford OEM (which I have heard are Bosch too, just more expensive). I plan on changing my downstream sensors this weekend. What length wire harness did you get with your new sensors? I do not want to have to worry about alot of excess harness to tie up.

In regards to rough idle, I do get some pretty rough idle from time to time and I have carbon buildup in my exhaust pipes. I have also have a bew Purolator fuel filter, plug and wires on the truck. My milage has dropped to 13-15 mpg mixed (using Amoco midgrade). I used to get 15.5-16.5 mpg.

When I bought the truck, under the hood (on the plastic fan/radiator cover) there was an official Ford Enginnering Change Blue and White tag. It said something about fuel and program, but the black sharpie it was written in has long since faded. Not sure what this was, but have always wondered...

Rick

Clinton Township, MI.

 

rick_k1974,

I replaced my HO2 sensors with OEM Ford/Bosch. The Ford dealer I purchased them at charged about $63.00 for each one. They said the list is $85.00 but said they could offer a Ford preferred customer price. Part of this was that I told the counter person I wasn't interesting in paying list price for anything but I also think they lowered the price because Bosch makes them and you can get the same sonsor any place you want. It's a good idea to remove the sensor and get the part #, this way you'll get the right one and have a long wire for the rear sensors.

 

Mark...............same problem..........carbon cleaning did not produce the desired result (still pings). 97 4.6 SC 4X4 with 160,000 kms (100,000 miles). You guys who have replaced the oxygen sensors....................did you do this because of pinging and did replacing them stop the pinging? Before reading this post I started another one on the same subject (not familiar with the term "spark knock"). Pings when engine is hot, under load (accelerating) and outside temp is warm. Ping is diminished when it is very cold (well below zero) and when mid grade/premium gas is used (ouch). No one has solved this problem?

 

Does this FOU1 program still exist in newer then 97 and 98 trucks? I have a 99 with 74,000 miles on her and she doesn't ping, but what is the probability that she will in the near future? It seems everyone on this post with problems has the 97/98 trucks with the 4.6L.

Do i need to sell my 99 now before it falls apart?

 

I certainly don't mean to jump on the bandwagon, but mine has spark knock/pinging/clicking too.
It knocks under 3/4 to full throttle above 2,000 rpms at speeds >35 mph at any outside air temperature.
Note: My truck has 41,000 miles and has done it since 30,000 miles.

At 35,700 miles I took it into the dealership to have them check the entire truck over for warranty-able items. I told them about the pinging...they said to occasionally use a higher octane. They said the engine just does that sometimes under hard acceleration. This didn't cut it and I called them on it...even the service manager stuck to his guns and said thats the way the engine is. I asked why it started doing this at 30,000 miles? They couldn't answer...I think its a crock...I know the motor will last a long time with timely oil changes, but there's no reason for it to knock like it does. When I tow anything >2000 lbs, it knocks like crazy! I'm sure this isn't good for the motor, but not according to Mr. service manager.

I haven't tried cleaning out the intake system. From everyone's posts, it sounds like it won't help. I did replace the O2 sensor before the cat...that didn't help ($50 Bosch from Autozone).

Would be nice if we could get to the bottom of this!

 

I don't have an answer, but don't these engines have a "anti-knock" device located on the block someplace? It's suposed to "listen" for pinging and then retard the timing until it goes away.

I just seem to recall reading that in a manual someplace. Maybe it's just the 5.4? Dunno.

All I know is that if you're pinging, it's gonna really hurt some internal parts eventually.

Hope you guys find the answer.

 

I researched a little....here's a website that talks about Explorers
with the same problem.

The last post on the website is of particular interest.
http://www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/web/pages/ping.html

How comfortable would you all feel about having your engine suck down some water? I'm not too sure about it.

What about the $129 intake cleaning a dealer does? Does anyone know exactly what this entails? If its similar to the water "fix", I suppose it would work.