Did a dealer attempt to fix it under warranty?
When did the pinging begin? After one of your mods?
Did you replace the knock sensor?
What has happened to your MPG?
Doesn't seem right that you have to remove a component to fix the ping.

------------------
1999 XLT SC, bright red, 4.2l, 5 speed, MAAP stainless nerfs, Prime Designs bug deflector, Astro Euro-Lid II, Mobil 1.

 

I was having terrible pinging on my 1996. I replaced distributor cap, rotor, plugs and wires and the pinging disappeared. I realize that there could be many reasons for it but it is worth mentioning. I even thought that a superchip would help by advancing the timing and using premium, it didn't. I had 60k miles. My post is under the pre-1997 category. Hope you solve your problem, I know I feel alot better this week. -- Martin

 

Hello Everyone - Long time reader - First time poster :-). I have had a continuing problem with engine pinging. It gets extremely bad at times. I routinely run good quality 87 octane gas. The pinging is not nearly as bad on 89, and is gone on 93 gas. The brand of gas doesn't matter. I performed a search of the site and found a few topics on the "octane shorting bar" and how removing it was supposed to minimize pinging. I quickly went out to my truck and removed the thing. No more Pinging. Immediate results. I plugged it back in and Boom!! Pinging returned. I opted to leave the jumper out for a while to see what happens. So far so good. There is a little less power from the motor, but I could live with that rather than listen to my motor sound like it is destroying itself. I believe I read that the jumper alters engine timing. Now the question: Am I screwing something up in my motor by running without this thing or what? I'm afraid of potential long term effects. I don't want to "fix" pinging only to create something else that would be far worse.

Thanks to all for the advice and comments on the site. I check it every day for tips and insight.

------------------
97' F150 Lariat S/C 4x2, 3:55LS 4.6L auto,Tow Package, Window Tint, K&N, Air Box Mods, 40 series Flowmaster cat back Dual out rear, Bosch Platium Plugs.

 

The pinging sort of slowly evolved within the last year. It was out of warranty by then, so no luck with a dealer.
As a side note, if I had discovered this site a lot sooner, I could have had a heap of aggravating problems taken care of under warranty (i.e. - squeaking pitman arm, piston slap, etc..)
I have 75K miles on it now. All of the mods were put in place after the pinging. I did the mods for two reasons, to try and help with the pinging and just because I wanted to. No, I haven't replaced the knock sensor and MPG still floats around the 15.5 - 16 mark - like it always has. I did change the plugs and wires, I've added gallons of Chevron Techron stuff to the tank. It helps until the next tank of gas and then the pinging returns.

I agree with you that the "shorting bar" is there for a reason, and removing it seems suspect in solving this problem. However, it does work on my truck. Thanks for your responses.

------------------
97' F150 Lariat S/C 4x2, 3:55LS 4.6L auto,Tow Package, Window Tint, K&N, Air Box Mods, 40 series Flowmaster cat back Dual out rear, Bosch Platium Plugs.

 

Did you read the threads on how to get rid of the problem that's causing the pinging? I'd say, there's a 90+% chance that your pinging is being caused by buildup of carbon in your cylinders. Get rid of this carbon and you get rid of the pinging problem and your horsepower will not be affected negatively like it is when you remove the octane bar.

Try a treatment with Chevron Techron (follow the instructions). See if that doesn't stop the problem. Be sure to change your oil soon after you run the Techron through your system. Oil will probably turn black with carbon. Watch for it.

Techron costs around $8 a bottle. Less at discount stores. There are other treatments that cost more and work just as well or maybe even better, but the Techron is cheap and it works.

 

While full diagnosis is in order, the shorting bar will effectively retard timing 3deg. This should eliminate the problem, but in some cases may mask it. Do the diag first.

It is not a bad idea to remove it to eliminate further damage. Especially if you are out of warranty.

This will not harm anything, but you will lose some power. A dealer removed mine, and I would not deal with the power loss. I put it back in and hammered it until the system adjusted. The pinging went away.

Now it runs on 87 octane, and VERY ralely pings, usually due to driver error.

------------------
'98 4.6 5-speed
BRING US YOUR TUNDRA!

Where we started.
After a facelift.
Latest MOD!

F-150online Photo Album

trixters-playground@excite.com
Truckin' Magazine!

 

very little pinging. i use Amsoil PI as prescribed on bottle, except i go further & use a small measuring bottle to add 1oz to each ten gallons (takes some experimenting, don't go by markers on bottle. it'll take several trips to gas station to get it right, but when you do, whatch pinging subside & mileage go up. truck specs posted elsewhere.