Pinging from 2200 to 2800 RPM on J30

[robmcole]

My J30 is, just as the subject says, is having a pinging sounds from 2200 to 2800 rpms under load (accelerations). Anybody ever have this issue?

-Rob

[carlos_knology]

Are you using premium gas?

My J30 will ping slightly in the summertime (hot weather) if I'm not using premium gas. Using premium gas alleviates the problem a great deal.

Carlos

[VimyJ]

Is it a rhythmic pinging sound or more of a buzz/rattle?

[robmcole]

I do use 93 octane religiously. I do not stick to any one brand, but do stick with Exxon, Cheveron, Shell (no mom and pop gas stations). I has been doing it since the end of summer. It is more rythmic.

[elwesso]

Hmmm.. Pinging shouldnt be heard...

you might have a little bit of carbon buildup... Go get some seafoam and run it through the intake..

You could also get some new knock sensors from yours truely!!!

[Jesda]

Just wanted to chime in and comment on how freaking gorgeous your J is! For some reason, in production photos it looks hokey to me. Then in person and in regular photos its sleek and cat-like. Same goes for the M45.

-Jesda

[cweberj30t]

Is there any way it's a pinging of heat shield on your exhaust? I had the same thing and it was just one of the heat shields was loose and rattled against the exhaust pipe. Just a guess.

[robmcole]

Thanks Jesda for the chime in!

The pinging comes from the direction of the engine, but I could check the heat shields out around the header area. Just being from 2200-2800 and only under load, I was figuring knock sensor or CPU. I have a timing gun and have been wanting to check if I am at 15degrees like the manual says it should be at. I have heard good things about the Seafoam, so I will look into getting some tomorrow. It is time for a oil change so it works out well. I will keep you all up to date on my findings.

-Rob

elwesso, email me at [email protected] and give me a quote on a knock sensor. I might need to replace that just as preventitive, and maybe it will fix it.

[robmcole]

Are you using premium gas?

My J30 will ping slightly in the summertime (hot weather) if I'm not using premium gas. Using premium gas alleviates the problem a great deal.

Carlos

Just out of curiosity, when yours did ping during the summer, was it around the same RPM zone? Or what was yours?

-Rob

[elwesso]

Rob..... As the banner in my sig says, Im selling them for $100/sensor... You will need to get the harness from Joe, its only like $20 or so...

[Mayhem_J30]

If I'm not mistaken you have to remove half the engine to replace the knock sensor. Upper and lower plenum for sure.

[elwesso]

This is true... On the Q45 its defintely NO FUN!

[carlos_knology]

Just out of curiosity, when yours did ping during the summer, was it around the same RPM zone? Or what was yours?

-Rob

Rob, I don't remember the exact RPM range was but it was fairly constant. Seemed to only happen while slightly accelerating.

Carlos

[Q451990]

Although it's a good possibility that you need knock sensors, replacing them probably won't help the pinging. At least on the Q, the computer can "see" bad sensors and then goes into a full safe mode (as if it's "hearing" knock from the engine with the sensors) by retarding the timing advance to it's limit within the VVT system. Even with good sensors it can't do any more.

There's an ohm test for the sensors, so you'll want to check that first.

I'd think in terms of carbon build-up, dirty injectors, or a clogged or a bad EGR Valve - also be sure you're running the correct heat range of factory plugs. Spark knock can be a real pain to find...

Good luck!

Heath

[elwesso]

start with the cheap stuff and work your way up...

Start with doing a decarb, then clean the EGR, then clean the injectors...

New plugs AND sensors would be great, for me anyway!!

Heath, I thikn that Q45tech has mentioned that the ohm test doesnt confirm if their working..... I think when I ohmned my new ones and old ones, they were similar...

However, if I remember correctly. when I tapped them or hit them against the table, the ohms went down and then back up.....

[J-Owner]

Hey Rob,

Here is my two cents on your pinging issue. I have ALWAYS used premium in my J for as long as I have owned it. Always, Texaco and always this same gas station in North Dallas as they are usually 10 cents cheaper per gallon than anyone else.

Anyway, I have only had a problem with the pinging for about the last two months. I have taken it to the dealer several times and they kept adjusting stuff but never fixing the problem. I did a throttle body cleaning and all that stuff, replaced the knock sensors, etc. Still pings. Then it came time to do the 120K mile service, which I had already done most of it trying to get the damn car to stop pinging. The only major thing left was to change the spark plugs. Well, after changing them, no more pinging! I assume that was the problem or else the dealer finally fixed it and didn't know how they did it. You may check the plugs.

If the pinging sounds like it is under the car, in gear at idle especially, then it is usually pebbles in the heat shield, loose heat shield, etc. I doubt that is what is causing it.

Anyway, I hope you locate the problem. Have a great day.

[Q45tech]

Common to replace/clean the clogged egr cross over tubes.