Pinging Valves
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Libraman2k1
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:39 pm
- Car: sports, fishing and hunting
Pinging Valves
:help --Man, I have replaced the fuel pump on my 92 Q45 and the fuel pump controller unit---I have changed the EGR valve and adjusted the Crank position sensor--My valves are STILL clattering like it is in a lean condition which is probably the problem ---I did order some used injectors and an fuel regulator--gonna put them on this week--I hope that works--The engine only pings/clatters when I am at cruising speed above 60 MPH--please help---I am in great need of relief of my headache on my car--thanks--
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Libraman2k1
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:39 pm
- Car: sports, fishing and hunting
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
From Road and Track:"I have a 2001 Mustang Cobra, which, after a few months, developed a ping noticeable mainly between 3000-4000 rpm. The dealer tried a few things (finally a chip reprogram), but has not been able to solve the problem.
Ford has now taken the position that some pinging is normal and has given up on trying to solve the problem. I find it hard to believe that pinging is normal, and believe it can cause long-term damage.
Any suggestions?Richard ThompsonCampbell, California
Detonation is not normal, and Ford did not develop your Cobra with any detonation in mind.
The key clue is something changed after a few months. With performance cars, this is inevitably something the owner modified. Equipment substitutions as innocuous as an air filter can upset the touchy computer calibration sufficiently to cause pinging. Common culprits are open-element, cone-shaped air filters (hot underhood air), aftermarket mass air meters (incompatible calibration, a very typical problem) and open-element breathers atop the valve cover (admits air downstream of the mass air meter and upstream of the throttle, thus leaning the mixture).
Step one is to remove any aftermarket items, returning to absolutely stone-stock condition. This really ought to end the pinging. If not, run the fuel tank low, fill it with premium and dope it with octane booster. If the pinging goes away, you likely have a fuel problem. Higher-octane fuel — the 91-octane gasoline in California is borderline in some applications — ought to stop the castanet rattling. If that doesn't work, then you really may have a hardware issue (clogged injector), although these are very rare in cars with less than 125,000 miles. More plausible is carbon buildup due to rich running from some other problem. Also, you can — and probably should — go one heat-range colder with the sparkplugs."
Ford has now taken the position that some pinging is normal and has given up on trying to solve the problem. I find it hard to believe that pinging is normal, and believe it can cause long-term damage.
Any suggestions?Richard ThompsonCampbell, California
Detonation is not normal, and Ford did not develop your Cobra with any detonation in mind.
The key clue is something changed after a few months. With performance cars, this is inevitably something the owner modified. Equipment substitutions as innocuous as an air filter can upset the touchy computer calibration sufficiently to cause pinging. Common culprits are open-element, cone-shaped air filters (hot underhood air), aftermarket mass air meters (incompatible calibration, a very typical problem) and open-element breathers atop the valve cover (admits air downstream of the mass air meter and upstream of the throttle, thus leaning the mixture).
Step one is to remove any aftermarket items, returning to absolutely stone-stock condition. This really ought to end the pinging. If not, run the fuel tank low, fill it with premium and dope it with octane booster. If the pinging goes away, you likely have a fuel problem. Higher-octane fuel — the 91-octane gasoline in California is borderline in some applications — ought to stop the castanet rattling. If that doesn't work, then you really may have a hardware issue (clogged injector), although these are very rare in cars with less than 125,000 miles. More plausible is carbon buildup due to rich running from some other problem. Also, you can — and probably should — go one heat-range colder with the sparkplugs."