Pinging valves

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 19, 2003 | 10:26 PM

Eddieslilmule

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 13

Likes: 0

Pinging valves

Hello all
I have a 1997 F150 with a 4.6 and i can hear the Valves pinging when i give it on the gas. Could it be the type of gas.

Nov 20, 2003 | 08:04 AM

Rodburnr

New User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

I have a 97 F-150 with the 4.2 in it. I just had a new engine put in buy ford about 2000 miles ago. I had the same problem with in the last couple of weeks. I started putting the mid grade fuel in the truck and it did help some. I have since moved up to premium fuel and do not have the problem anymore. I am still going to go back to ford and ask them though about the situation. According to the owners manual, 87 octane is what they recommend fot my truck.

Nov 20, 2003 | 09:21 AM

98f1504x4ohio

Junior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 87

Likes: 0

From: Ohio

I noticed my 98 4.6 doing it sometimes after the trans shifts, so I put a bottle of STP injector cleaner in it last night. I'll let ya know what happens, but in the meantime, I'd change gas stations, and NOT use any higher octane fuel. you could burn holes in the pistons!!

Nov 20, 2003 | 02:25 PM

Hoosier_Daddy

New User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

From: Indiana

Re: Pinging valves

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddieslilmule
Hello all
I have a 1997 F150 with a 4.6 and i can hear the Valves pinging when i give it on the gas. Could it be the type of gas.

Hey Eddie! Yes, it is the gas you are using!
I've got a 98 NASCAR Edition F-150 with the 4.6 as well. I know your manual may tell you that it's ok to run 87 octane but they also fail to tell you that it will cause your valves to ping.

I work for a Ford dealership in Kentucky and this is a common complaint. Running a higher octane fuel like 91-93 octanes will most definitely fix this problem

I'm not so sure about the info 98f1504x4ohio left about the pistons (no offense).

Anyway, I strongly recommend running 91 octane or higher at all times for the best performance out of your truck. I bought my truck brand new in 98 and I've ran 91-93 octane since the day I bought it and now with almost 98k miles on my truck I've had ZERO problems out of my truck and no VALVE PINGING

Hope this helps!

Last edited by Hoosier_Daddy; Nov 20, 2003 at 02:42 PM.

Nov 20, 2003 | 07:58 PM

Racerguy

Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 12,679

Likes: 15

From: BC, Canada

It actually doesnt have anything to do with the valves. You have preignition or detonation as some people call it. Basically the fuel is igniting in the cylinders before it should be. It could be caused by ignition timing being too far advanced however that isnt adjustable anymore. It could also be caused by a piece of carbon in the combustion chamber getting red hot and igniting the fuel before the spark plug does. There are other things too but thats the basic idea.
Sometimes a good run on the highway to clean out any carbon will help.
Better gas will usually help.
Quite often a dirty MAF sensor can cause a ping as well. It makes the trucks PCM (computer) not know exactly how much air is going into the engine so it adjusts the timing and fuel based on an incorrect signal.

Nov 20, 2003 | 10:43 PM

LxMan1

Moderator

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 22,436

Likes: 17

From: Louisville,Ky.

Hey Hoosier Daddy, Which dealer do you work for? I want a second opinion on my idle vibration.
Jimmy

Nov 21, 2003 | 12:32 AM

F1 Ford

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 27

Likes: 0

Add me to the list of pinging 4.6L ('97 S-cab 4x4). I would agree that it is pre-ignition knock as mid-grade fuel seams to provide enough burn resistance to shut it up, it'll get premium for boat pulling as there is still a hint of ping with mid-grade. I really love this truck, but I'm a little disapointed that I can't burn the cheap gas.