Just recently my engine will ping like a diesel for a moment ( 1 second)on initial acceleration. Kinda like its out of time. I just put bigger 265 75 16 tires on my 99 f150 4.6 and it made it worse. Im guessing that the bigger tires are needing more power thus bigger ping. Also when hauling a camper(1400lbs) and towing a smaller boat(1250lbs) the engine is laboring quite a bit considering a v8 engine. The vehicle was bought 3 months ago from a reputable dealership and now has 80000km
Is this a computer issue?
Any ideas. Or just under powered? Tranny issue?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Carson

 

What size tires did the truck have on it before? YOu may want to have the computer reprogramed for the larger tires.

 

255 70 16

What does reprogramming the computer do? Does it alter the shifting pattern? Where do i get it done? Any idea on how much$

 

Reprogramming is usually done at the dealer. Has to do with the speed sensor in the tranny I think.

If you haven't changed your spark plugs yet it may be a source of your pinging.

I have 87,000kms now on a 98 4.6 and I bought the plugs already (autolite platinum pro's - have platinum on the centre and outside electrode so better than OE), haven't heard too much good about the Bosch +4's. I'm still looking for a hypo wire set, so far nothing available. The OE wires aren't that great and should be changed same time as the plugs in my opinion.

Sometimes that "seafoam" treatment can solve knock & ping troubles. I take it you've also tried buying your fuel elsewhere?

If you do a search on this site there will be some references to cleaning out the EGR, PVC and other systems that can get gummed up, also causing knock & ping.

 

Funny you mention about the plugs. I was thinking of changing them AFTER i fix the no power issue, just for mileage puposes..hmmm. Maybe I'll do it first. How much were they?
Did you do it yourself?They look like a pain.

Will the computer give me a code for faulty tranny sensor or tell me if it is out of wack? I have definitely noticed a difference in the way it shilts (Irratic). If a code reader will help me diagnose the tranny as well as the engine I might buy one and do it myself.

The truck idles so smooth, I would say too smooth for it to be a pcv or egr valve issue but Ill' look into it anyhow.

Last night I I tried to do a "brake torque' on gravel and couldn't spin the tires. Even when I let off the brake it wouldnt spin the tires?? Yet once moving (higher rpms) they would spin. If the are any other ideas about the low end torque around send em my way.


happy truckin"

 

That sounds unusual. If you have the automatic you should have no trouble spinning on gravel, dry pavement is hard to do though, at least with my 4x4 4.6 98 S/C.

I don't think the code reader would pickup on the speed sensor simply because the tires are making it send out-of-wack info to the computer but prob wouldn't show an error.

 

I have a 4.6 with 153,000 mi on it. Was pinging real bad. Started using 89 octane and it would stop. Got tired of the higher price gas so I treated the gas with Techron. Needed two applications to stop the ping, but now I run 87 octane with no pinging

 

Just out of curiosity, what is it about the original wires your not so impressed about? I've got 80,000 miles on the original wires and plugs and it runs as good as it did new. Not really sure what else I could have asked for...

As far as the engine ping, what year/engine are we talking about?

 

He's running a 99' 4.6L.

I had a wire fail at just out of warrantee and it cost me over $300 bucks at the dealer. F*ck OE wires.

These things are pushing over 40kV so eventually the wire insulation will give out. The thinner and cheaper the wire, the less it will last.

I'm looking for something like the Accel 300+ wires in a tailor made set. No luck yet.

Are the 99's coil on plug or coil packs w/wires? Coil on plug is worse to change I think. More junk to move out of the way.

 

The pinging seems to be fairly common, if the previous suggestions don't work, try cleaning the DPFE Sensor, and the EGR Valve. My '97 F-250 with the 4.6 Trition pinged even after I put the plugs and wires on (Bosh Platinum plugs & NAPA wires). Pain in the butt to do plugs and wires, but you can do it at home.

 

The pinging seems to be fairly common, if the previous suggestions don't work, try cleaning the DPFE Sensor, and the EGR Valve. My '97 F-250 with the 4.6 Trition pinged even after I put the plugs and wires on (Bosh Platinum plugs & NAPA wires). The DPFE & EGR can get clogged with carbon build up which will cause the pinging. Also if teh EGR is carboned up and is stuck ½ open, this will make the engine run lean, and ping even worse. That is what my 4.6 has done, cleaned the DPFE & EGR no more ping, at least for now.

 

Sorry, for some reason, my computer decided to post my reply before I was finished.
To finish, as far as the tire size, I am running LT 265/75/16's on my '97 f-250 x-cab 4x4, no problems with them. The 4.6 can even light 'em up on pavement, if I really hammer it. If yours can't spin the 265's on gravel, I would say it is not running the way it should. Keep in mind, the 4.6 is no big block, but should be able to throw some dirt though.
Now I'm finished, thanks.

 

hey p_ferlow, I have the same truck (4x4 4.6 98 S/C) and I roast the tire on dry pavement. what gears are you running.

about the pings I also have laitly noticed this when I am at highway speeds and give it some gas.. only last for a second and goes away. I used to have a 4L ranger that did this big time and I used a cleaner you suck into the maniflod to get rid of it. worked good but also killed all the mosquitos in Victoria hehe..

Steve

 

I tried higher octane yesterday. I put in 92 premium. Wow what a difference from 87
Now this isn't in my head. I drove it no different than before and the low end power was way better. It actually had a little "snap" to it when i touched the gas. Its almost like the shifting was better also??Is that possible?
The hills i go up everyday could be driven in overdrive whithout shifting down and under acceleration it was a harder crisper shift. Now i havent towed yet so the difference will remain to be seen there so ill post those results after the weekend.
This gas may or may not be a temp fix but i do know it was 11 cents more per liter.ouch!!
Now that i think back this all started to happen after i got ford to change the oil( 4 free changes for buying the truck) and i put a motomaster aircleaner in?? Any relation?
Stir crazy I am running 3.55limited slip rearend.
Where is the EGR and DPFE( what is DPFE?) and how did those plugs work for you? Did it take you long to change the plugs? I have the originals (88000km) on mine should i change em out?
Thanks for the imput!

 

Stircrazy: I have the 3.55 LS diff as well.

Wish it would start. See my HELP thread!

Going to check the connection at the starter this morning, then disconnect the alternator to find out where this mystery high repetitive current drain is coming from.