My 6.4 in a F350 seems to be "pinging" like a detonation sound under a medium to heavy throttle, but not all the time. I am thinking it might be during regeneration. Has anybody experienced something like this, or know what might be causing it.

 

Sounds like the fuel is your issue. These engines are designed to run at a cetane level of 45 or higher (the best I can find around my area is 40).

Try running some cetane booster (from motorcraft or one called "power service diesel kleen + cetane boost") and see if it goes away.

A bottle of "motorcraft cetane booster and performance improver" will cost you about $6 bucks from the dealer and 4 oz of it treats 25 gallons of diesel. 1 Full bottle can treat 125 gallons if i remember correctly.

I run the motorcraft stuff with each fill up. I have noticed that the engine is alot quiter. Both products say they increae fuel economy but, as far as an increase in miles per gallon, I stopped calculating MPG ever since diesel passed the $3.25 mark to lessen the psychological effects caused by the increasing fuel prices lol.

 

Mine makes a strange pinging noise right before it upshifts ,and it is always just before a regen. but after the regen its fine .

 

If it is like the duramax programming at all, it is defueling for a shift. When it defuel's, it basically doesn't add fuel like normal, but the timing remains the same until the shift completes then it adds the fuel back in. But timing without enough fuel causes a slight ping. Yours maybe different, I don't know just guessing.

 

Mine has same pinging sound when accelerating hard. It only last for 3-4 seconds, then resolves.

 

Mine does it too when it's in regen or not at full operating temperature. I read a thread somewhere that had the official expalnation but that's what it said in short terms. It's protecting itself by limiting boost/hp to 325hp give or take. As soon as mine comes out of regen or gets warmed up, it sounds normal.
I'm going to try the cetane boost to see if it gets better mpg and noise reduction....can't hurt huh?

 

Mine acts exactly as described here as well.

BTW, I have tried the cetane boost and there was no increase in MPG for me. However, if you want a quieter motor, it seems to further minimize the little ticks in the motor (injectors?). Also, it runs noticeably smoother. FYI.

 

Thanks for the input. Drove it 8 miles to the dealership this morning pinging all the way (medium to heavy throttle), take the tech for a ride and of course it wouldn't do it then.
Going out of town with it tomorrow with lots of highway miles, wish me luck. I will probably try some additive as suggested.

 

If yours is like mine, 8 miles isn't enough to get it fully warmed up with fairly cold temperatures. If the temp gauge isn't straight up/12o'clock position, it isn't at operating temp yet.

 

It may not be up to operating temperature as you say but this noise cannot be normal even for a cold engine. Didn't start doing it until a few weeks ago.

 

Bifford:
I was just looking at your post and then checked your public profile. You maybe want to update from your 2003 to your new truck. Anyway I also noticed you are in Canada and obviously in cold country.

Try plugging in your truck overnight and see if that solves the problem, but as others above have stated, running cold presents problems. Might even be a combination of events. I presume you are using ULSDF 15 ppm sulfur?

 

I'm from Vancouver, BC. lots wet but not very cold. Similar weather to Seattle, WA. And yes to ULSDF 15.