02 Maxima Bad Pinging (No Codes-Need help)

[rondhol]

Hi buddy, any update?

[loystock]

Yes, I have seen the MSDS of BG44K, Redline and Techron before, as well as other additives but never on a Gumout. Interesting that it has such level of PEA. Any reason why they sell Gumout at dollar-store? That's a bargain, assuming they are not fake or clone from...

I'll check further.

[rondhol]

The topic is pinging. We don't have any update from Rendurante.

Did he fixed his pinging problem?

Dollar general listed price is $5 per bottle but they sale it for $1 when you checkout, discontinued item.

[Rendurante]

Hey Rondhol,

Unfortunately the car still pings, and I now have 106,xxx miles on it. I've thrown a lot of $$ at the car trying to make the repair but was unsuccessful so far. Do you feel the fuel system treatment might be a smart way to proceed?

Ren

[Rendurante]

BTW...I ran 3 bottles of the Chevron with Techtron fuel system cleaner through 2 tanks of gas with no improvement at all. Wondering if the fuel system is just running lean as my car starts to age. Also wonder if the timing (controlled by the crank and cam sensors) is causing it due to old hardware. I've never seen those sensors do anything but fail catastrophically.

Ren

[rondhol]

It is very hard to solve this lean pinging (at very light throttle to keep constant speed/cruise after engine fully warm). The pinging is getting worse in dry weather (humidity low). Premium gas helps a little bit, but still get some pinging. I am in Florida and this winter the constant light pinging is heard between 57-65 mph cruise using midgrade gas. In the morning/humid weather, the pinging is almost gone at any speed.

I think my compression is too high after head gasket job with stock fuel mapping. I am still running on my first Gumout rRegane bottle. $5 for 5 bottle+5 full tank will not hurt my pocket, just try my luck. Cevron, BG44K change their formulation from polyetheramine with natural spirits/stoddard/dry cleaning liquid few months ago.

Rendurante:" MAF, OEM sparkplugs, coils pack are expensive. If you have time, you can sell some of your new/used parts to us/ebay via paypal. Your problem started since you change your sparkplugs, it is weird. Any good mechanics can check the timing&calculated load map with the service pdf manual.

I try to live with it. If I sell it, the buyer will not notice it.
Modified by rondhol at 8:31 PM 3/4/2010

[Shabangadino]

Rendurante... I see that this thread hasn't been active in a while so I hope your still checking. I have the EXACT same problem you have, pinging at low acceleration starting around 2,000 RPM's and only after it's been on for a while. Never in the AM. I however, have a P0420 code that's been coming and going. Currently, the service engine isn't illuminated. This has been coming on for about 3-4 days and then stays off for a month or so. So far I had the throttle body cleaned, the Nissan dealer thought it was contaminated. They also cut off something on the exhaust that could sound like pinging. He thought oil getting into the timing springs could cause this as well and told me to statr using Valvoline Max life oil. None of that worked. I think this started after the timing chain (bad guides) was replaced but can't be sure.

[xerexabante]

I am sure it is a Timing Chain Rattle (guide, tensioner worn). Try this 10-40w oil plus LUCAS Stabilizer additive. I have been with this set up and reduced timing rattle 90%. 4.5qtrs 10-40 mobil synthetic and 1qt Lucas.

[the converted]

Is anyone that is experiencing this burning oil? I've been hunting down a similar issue, and about the only thing that I can come up with is oil lowering the octane and causing pinging. I'm installing a baffled catch can after having the home cheapo one to see if that changes anything. I'll let you guys know if anything actually changes.

[Shabangadino]

I am sure it is a Timing Chain Rattle (guide, tensioner worn). Try this 10-40w oil plus LUCAS Stabilizer additive. I have been with this set up and reduced timing rattle 90%. 4.5qtrs 10-40 mobil synthetic and 1qt Lucas.

Even though it was just replaced a year ago? Would this cause the service engine to come on with P0420? The Nissan dealership told me to use Valvoline Max Life or Duramax...something like that. I did and it didn't help. I'll try anything at this point besides having to replace the CAT.

[xerexabante]

Is anyone that is experiencing this burning oil? I've been hunting down a similar issue, and about the only thing that I can come up with is oil lowering the octane and causing pinging. I'm installing a baffled catch can after having the home cheapo one to see if that changes anything. I'll let you guys know if anything actually changes.

Check your Spark plug tube seals. You might see some oil in it. The only way to replace them is to purchase new valve cover included are the seals.

Also when you change your oil make sure you are at normal temp, wait 10 mins then drain. Once plug is removed open oil cap. Wait till it is barley dripping then cap plug. Observe consumption, 1qt per 1k miles is normal. use thicker oil 10-40w if applicable to your climate.

[xerexabante]

"I have a 97 Maxima and the noise coming out of this vehicle is like a small fan lightly hitting paper, it's difficult to describe. I read at another blog that it may be your blower motor having debris like leaves or anything that can be sucked in as you drive. I've yet to check it out..but in only happens in freeway speeds...nothing while driving on the street at 45 mph. I took a look under the hood, there seems to be nothing out of place."

From another forum

[the converted]

xerex,

Technically linking to another forum is a no no, so I just edited your post to pull the post that you were linking to.

As far as my car goes, the plug wells are dry, I just swapped in some copper plugs today. I put in the catch can and cleaned the intake manifolds and throttle body well. I took pictures of just how much oil was in there that I'll post later in a different thread. I've only had time to take a quick spin around the block so no real experience on differences yet.

[deviltaz]

I can hear some pretty bad pinging in my car - (kinda sounds like a bunch of small rocks being knocked around faster as the RPM's go up). Looks like I'll be sending it to my dealer. Do you know how much could be the auto repair estimate for this problem?

[rondhol]

Yes, the caused is the timing too far advance with 10% alcohol blend and becomes too lean with the factory timing. It is normal but annoying, I plan to retard the timing a little bit from 15 degrees to 12 degrees at idle and see how it develop after few days. We need consult 2 scanner from the dealer to adjust the timing or Nissan Data Scan II for much cheaper price + Blazt II scanner $130-$180. I will post an update after 1-2 weeks. If it works I can lend the scanner to any members here with some conditions.

[rondhol]

Allright. I got the scanner for Blazt II with Nissan data scan 2 installed in my windows 7 notebook. It works just like they promise in youtube and their website. I am able to retard the timing -2 degrees (max allowed by software) and reduce my light pinging a lot with regular gasoline.

After one year using regular gasoline instead of premium one, I save more than the cost of this scanner. -2 degrees is good enough just like Consult 2 can do.

[Rendurante]

Hey all,

Just want to you let you know that I was never able to correct the pinging problem on my 02 maxima. It was totaled in a rear end collision last week with about 147,000 miles on it. Wish I would've been able to correct the problem, but now I just purchased a clean 04 Maxima SE and it doesn't ping at all. I'll forward any other information I find on the issue to assist others with the same problem. Thanks for everyone's help.

Ren

[RSG]

Allright. I got the scanner for Blazt II with Nissan data scan 2 installed in my windows 7 notebook. It works just like they promise in youtube and their website. I am able to retard the timing -2 degrees (max allowed by software) and reduce my light pinging a lot with regular gasoline.

After one year using regular gasoline instead of premium one, I save more than the cost of this scanner. -2 degrees is good enough just like Consult 2 can do.

Where can I order the Blazt II scanner? Looks like the company is no longer in business? I am from Seattle, anyhow I can borrow it to fix my 02 I35 pinging problem? Will pay.

[Ghost_54]

Seafoam treatment ... 1/2 a can in a full tank of gas, and you can also suck 1/4 of a can through the master brake hose turn the car off and let it sit for 15 mins and then fire it up and keep the revs up and down 1500 up 3000 to blow out the carbon build up. (yes you will most likely have lots of white smoke) until all is blown out then go for a spirited drive to finish the cleanup.

[rondhol]

Yes, just give me your email address. Send private email to me.

[RSG]

Yes, just give me your email address. Send private email to me.

I think you have PM disabled.

Sene me a mail please... lau.eddie at gmail. Appreciate it.

[KrAzy24DE]

I figure since no one posted a answer to this thought I would ... I have a 2003 I35 that was doing the same issue pinging under light load when fully warm.. Sometimes it would have a loss of power under 30% throttle .. It drove me crazy for a month.. I finally got around to using my snap on modis and cruising around watching the numbers I found the ivt control solenoid on bank 1 was improperly working. Car had zero dtc's and all.monitors were set... I changed both just incase the other decided to go and the car drives like a dream again power under every throttole position. Thought I'd give my 2 cents for anyone having the same issues..

[harrya]

same ping under light load here also, any Ideas or fixes. it is driving me nuts!!

[maxhopper]

See the post above yours for a possible solution.

[rondhol]

After 127k miles, it still pings. My Crankshaft Position sensor is death and it tuns out the old design with plastic body. After replacing it with $20 from Advance auto after 40% coupon, it runs better and the pinging is coincidentally reduced. It is about 70% quieter but still ping/rattling slightly. I do not really care anymore since the car runs just fine for the last 70k miles with the same oil consumption rate, 1/2 quarts per 1000 miles with full synthetic 5w-30 oil, a little less with 0w-40 or GC 0w-30.

[car5car]

MAF sensors, O2 sensors and bad ign coils are very common problems.
Diagnosing MAF:
Get a scanner which can show data and watch short fuel trims for each head, while somebody drives your car. Very often MAFs only provide bad signal at some point, like at speed around 50-60 and WOT. Short trim should be from -7 to +7
Cheapest brand new scanner is OTC 9450 (about $90). You can buy used one on ebay
Note: bad brand new MAFs are pretty common.

Ignition coils make engine shake at idle. Disconnect coil connectors one by one to find which one doesn't decrease RPM.
Recently I diagnosed 5 bad ign coils in 8 cyl Toyota engine. I bought 8 new ones and one of them was bad, so I used one of 3 good old ones. Coils are pretty cheap from ebay, I paid about $100 for 8 coils.

O2 sensors go bad around 100K miles. Do not replace downstream O2 sensors, they don't change fuel delivery.