02 Maxima Bad Pinging (No Codes-Need help)

[Rendurante]

Hey all,

I have an 02 Maxima with 96,000 miles on it that has developed a pinging sound from the engine. The pinging started a few months ago and happens at light to medium throttle position (only when the engine is at normal operating temperature) at any speed. The problem that I have is the computer does not have any stored trouble codes and the "check engine light" is not lit.

Info on the car:

- I am using 93 octane Sunoco fuel- Spark plugs replaced at 70k miles with oem plugs (dealer)- regular oil changes at 3k miles- fuel injectors cleaned at dealer 10k miles ago (trying to troubleshoot the problem)- new air filter- car idles smooth, does not have any loss of power, and gets 22 - 24 mpg avg.

I recently brought the car to another shop in hopes of getting the problem resolved, but the mechanic said that it is caused by carbon buildup. I didn't think carbon buildup would be present in my engine with the large amount of highway driving that I do. Mechanic recommended me add octane booster to my fuel for a couple of months to see if it resolves the issue.

Reading through some old posts, it looks as though many people experienced similar issues as I am experiencing...but in my case there is no trouble code.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I need this car to last me a few more years.

Puzzled Maxima OwnerRen

[pm_page6776]

I have replaced many MAF sensors for this issue. You may not feel any acceleration problems or have a service engine soon light on, but your airflow alpha (air/fuel mixture) may be off. If your mechanic is telling you to use fuel additive then I would get a second opinion. Have your air/fuel mixture checked with a computer scanner. Specification is %90-%110 airflow alpha. If you have bad spark knock then I would think it would be on the higher end around %130 (lean air/fuel ratio).

[Rendurante]

Thanks...I plan on cleaning the up the MAF later on today until I pick up a new one. I will let you know how this goes.

If this does not resolve the problem, would one of the O2 sensors be a good pick up point?

Ren

[rondhol]

I got the same problem. Light throttle pinging with light load around 1500 rpm after the engine is fully warm. No pinging on WOT or heavy load. It happened after the head gasket job.

Bought re-manufactured MAF from Autozone but nothing is changed. May be I need new MAF or good used MAF.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Just guessing here. When the head gasket was replaced, it increasedyour compression ratio in the cylinder. Maybe you knock sensor isnot working now to retard your timing (and stop your pinging)

[Rendurante]

Finally received my new MAF sensor today and installed it. Same pinging that has been going on with no changes. I'm going to try and test the knock sensor (if I can reach the connector). Any other suggestions? I'm not sure if this car is equipped with an EGR valve or not or if this is another thing to test out.

Thanks, Ren :

confused

[Rendurante]

Just brought my 02 Max to the dealer for a second opionion on the pinging. The mechanic seemed to think that the ignition coils might be causing the problem, and gave me an estimate of $940 for the job. The mechanic's opinion seemed based off of a TSB from Nissan (?) as well as having numerous maximas come in pinging like crazy and fixing them by replacing the coils.

Before I take any further action, I was hoping to get some input from the group. I can buy replacement coils (aftermarket or from Nissan) and install them for much less than the $940 estimate.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks, Ren

[NutriaforBreakfast]

The coils really dont sound right. You can check each of them yourselfwith a spark plug and check the resistance with a multimeter.

Have you tried a gasoline additive? Maybe you just got a bad tankof gas.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Well its probably not the gas since you have tried to fix it for 10,000 miles

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Check the air filter to make sure it is not clogged.

The exhaust system might be clogging. Numerous choices here;stopped up muffler, cat converter. Usually accompanied by a lossof power.

I have a tendency to think a sensor might be bad and its sendingfaulty data to the ECM and the engine is adjusting itself incorrectly. Usually these faulty sensors trip a DTC (diagnostic test cost) and your check engine light comes on.

Check your vacuum hoses to make sure none of them have fallen off.Maybe the mechanic forgot to connect them after the head gasket job.

You might try cleaning your throttle body and idle air control valve to beon the safe side.

[pm_page6776]

Don't replace your coils for a spark knock issue. The 2000 maxima had a problem with coils going bad and causing a P1320 code. Since then Nissans have not had many coil issues. They would not cause a spark knock anyways. This happens when air/fuel mixture is too lean, compression is too high, or the ignition timing is off. Since the coils are controlled by your computer, there is little chance that your timing is too advanced (unless you have a knock sensor code stored). You should have your air/fuel mixture checked. It may be as simple as a vacuum leak. If it is lack of EGR flow, your computer would set a DTC P0400. Try taking a can of carburetor cleaner and spraying around your engine and listen for a change in RPM. If there is you likely have a vacuum leak. Be careful though. It is flammable. Do not spray hot exhaust components!

[Rendurante]

Thanks all....

My plan for this week is to check the following:

- engine for vacuum leaks with Carb cleaner- connect the car to my friend's diagnostic computer to monitor the air/fuel ratio during ping - clean iac valve and throttle body

Also,

This problem started around the same time that I had 6 new spark plugs installed. Maybe one of the coils was damaged during that job. I'm going to buy 1 new ignition coil this week, and will swap for the original front 3 coils until i resolve the problem. If this doesn't work, I'm just going to pull the intake manifold and replace the rear coils next weekend (just to be 100% sure they are not the cause to my problems).

Is the 2002 Maxima equipped with an EGR valve? I am not able to see anything connected to the exhaust manifolds or find any documented in the factory service manual.

Car seems to have decent power and acceleration through the gears, so I think it is safe to rule out the fuel injectors, pump, fuel filter, and exhaust system. Let me know if you feel differently. This pinging happens during light/medium throttle acceleration in any gear.

I'll let you know what I find within the next couple of weeks. Please let me know if you think of anything else to check. I want the entire group to understand the problem that I am having in hopes to be helpful to anyone who experiences a similar problem.

Thanks, Ren

[Rendurante]

Just want to reinforce...the pinging happens under light acceleration when the engine has been running for an extended amount of time (at least 20 - 30 minutes of driving)...won't be able to get it to ping any earlier.

[xerexabante]

I had this issue, I had oil in the spark plug tubes due to tube seals leaking oil on the spark plugs. Causing ping, there are no tube seals available for 02 Maxima, rather to replace valve cover with new which comes with new tube seals.

You should also see if your are having some chain rattle. Chain tensioner, or guides getting worn. That is the issue I have for now with my Max. I do not have a ping, but sounds like it, It is the chain guide and tensioner needs to be replaced.

My rattle happens in between changing gears, or light throttle before or during shift change. It sounds like a ping but it is not.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Did you gap the plugs? I think you are not supposed to (on the 1995 Maxima you dont)

[rondhol]

So, the problem started after you replaced the spark plugs. Are they OEM NGK spark plugs? If not, try to reinstalled the old spark plugs if that f.... ping disappear. I used Autolite Double Platinum that doesn't ping before the head gasket job.

Yes it pings after the engine fully warm. 10 minutes. I am sure it is not the compression ration since it never pings under heavy load/acceleration and octane # doesn't change anything.

No change after replacing the Coolant temperature sensor, air filter, MAF (returned), and cleaned throttle body and injectors.

May be need re-programing the ECU but I doubt it will fix it.

[rondhol]

How about the idle? My idle is smooth but have very small drop (50 rpm) every 20 seconds and got fixed by reconnecting vacuum hose on the throttle body. The ping is reduced by 50%.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

You need to check the timing. Sounds too far advanced?

[Markc]

If the ping was reduced by 50% after connecting a stray vacuum hose to the throtle body, are you SURE that there are no other vacuum leaks?

[Rendurante]

So I tried replacing all three front ignition coils with a new one...NO Luck. I ordered 2 more from courtesy nissan so they should be here by early next week. Next step is removing the intake manifold and replacing the three rear coils and plugs with genuine nissan equipment (just to be safe). I will continue to update this thread.

[rondhol]

Well, the idle is fine now. The biggest effect of vacuum leak is at idle. It still pings lightly when the weather is hot and dry after 10 minutes driving.

[Rendurante]

Update on my Maxima:

I replaced the rear 3 iginition coils and spark plugs yesterday. The pinging seems to be reduced but I will need the entire weekend to be sure. I'm beginning to think that I still might have a bad coil in the front of the engine.

Since there is a possibility that I had at least one bad coil (one in the front, one in the rear) I will probably end up replacing the front coils as well. I really just need to get this car bad up and running right. Also planning on replacing the coolant temp. sensor, and investigating the Oxygen sensors.

Let me know if you have any other thoughts.

Ren

[rondhol]

I don't think coil pack cause pinging. Foul spark plugs (oil leak, bad gap) cause pinging and misfire. You can check the spark plugs and read it if one or more cylinder runs lean. (white ground electrodes). I confirmed my self that my engine runs lean but I don't know the cause. EGR or MAF(had been changed), both are expensive parts but easy to install.. Reprogram the ECU if you still have 80k/8 years federal emission law warranty.
Modified by rondhol at 3:51 PM 10/25/2009

[jetroy240]

We always recommend all coils everytime we have these pinging complaints, as per service bulletin. Very hard to pinpoint exactly where it's coming from, but seems to always fix it after replacing all coils. I believe the coil part number are superceded.
Modified by jetroy240 at 7:49 PM 10/31/2009

[rondhol]

Kill a mosquito with a shot gun? Why don't just replace a whole engine or trade it in. Try it and return the parts one by one until you got the bad one. Buy it from Advanced or Autozone with their easy return.

[Rendurante]

Thanks for the info...

Checked the coils and determined they are all in good shape, but the pinging has not been reduced at all. Pulled all of the plugs and replaced them just in case. Felt a little increase in performance but the pinging is still there.

Moving towards Oxygen sensor 1 in the front of the engine. I ohmed it out today but got an alright reading of 5 ohms. Probably doesn't mean anything since the pinging happens at normal operating temperature. Has anyone ever tried the "universal Oxygen sensors" yet? Looks like I would have to splice into the factory harness with it...$60 compared to the $112 direct replacement??

Ren

[rondhol]

The pinging happened since you change the spark plugs. I think the main cause of the pinging is from the intake area Check the intake & EGR vacuum hoses(unplugged), wires(loose), plenum gaskets and VIAS. I don't think the O2 sensor are bad based on the history you told us. So, your old good coil packs and MAF can be used again and return the new parts to Courtesy Nissan?

[rondhol]

Some guys fix it by putting techron or gumout regane fuel system cleaner 8 times for 8 filled up. I am running on my first bottle now. You can get gumout regane for $1 in dollar general, Walmart sell it for $5-$7.

[loystock]

I personally would use RedLine SI-1 or BG44K Fuel System Cleaner which are highly concentrated and proven to clean fuel system components. Techron is a bit diluted. I have never used Gumout or any other product (except the 3 mentioned above) for fuel system cleaning. I have switched to Redline last year when the BG44K formulation was changed.

[rondhol]

http://msds.walmartstores.com/cache/79320.pdf Gumout regane has 30-40% PEA, best detergent for gasoline engine. It is even better than Cevron techron http://msds.walmartstores.com/cache/1986.pdf or BG44K. http://www.bgfleming.com/products/msds/208.pdf that use Stoddard solvent/mineral spirit.

Redline SI-1 30-50%. with smaller bottle than Gumout. http://www.redlineoil.com/cont...S.pdf

has high PEA but total mass= Density x Volume is about the same with gumout regane.