I have a 2000 F250 SD 4X2 V-10 -
I have a question regarding octane requirements and pinging.

I pull a 3000lb trailer almost constantly. When it is under load and in OD, I am getting what sounds a lot like pinging. THe exhaust has always made some tinny (sounds like pinging) sounds, but this is different. The truck has 14K miles and the noise pinging has been around for the last 3 tanks of gas.

I was told under no uncertain terms to ONLY run regular in the truck. The owners manual is very clear about this. Not only does is claim that running higer octane fuels will not improve performance, but that it can actually negatively impact performace (rough idles etc.). Dealer claims the same thing. Never heard this before in my life. I know the computer is suppose to adjust timing in line with octane, and I am using different gas stations to eliminate my initial concern that it was just bad gas.

Any opinions??? I have run one tank with injector cleaner at about 10K miles. Doesn't hurt my feelings to run only regular at 11 MPG. Would run higher octane if I need to.. Just seems odd that it has only recently been a problem. Anyone else out there getting any pinging???

Pat Hopkins

 

I have a 2000 F250SD, 4x4 with the V-10. I don't tow, but every week I do carry very heavy loads in the bed. I have not heard one ping. I have only run 93/94 octane in the truck as in all my vehicles. I'm getting 12.6 mpg average. I have not had a single problem with the engine. It idles perfect.

Howard

 

I had a 99 f350 4x4 crewcab with the v10 and I tow a 9500lb 30ft toyhauler trailer and had the same problem with pinging.Dealer said they could recurve the powerband for towing ,for a nominal fee.I have talked to other people about this and they say you just have to keep your foot out of it.That's not what I would call a very good tow vehicle. Godd luck

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 09-Apr-01 AT 10:40 PM (EST)[/font][p]Seems to do it with very light throttle and like just before downshifting out of OD. Like pulling a slight grade at say 55MPH - Then it will ping and with any further throttle will bumpe back into 4th - What concerns me is that it just started.

No one else having problems?? Anyone have any opinions about the 87 vs. 89 or 91 octane? Owners manual is pretty adament.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Apr-01 AT 01:20 AM (EST)[/font][p]Pretty sure your "pinging" is the common flutter. It is most noticeable for me under load at mid teens to low 2000 RPM's. I believe from my reading the only fix is a good set of headers. Sure sounds like pinging, but you can tell it is more hollow sounding and from under the floorboards. I'd stick with the regular requirement of 87 octane fuel and save your money for the headers.. Can you imagine how nice it would sound if you could actually hear the engine?

Rob

 

You may be right about the flutter rather then the pinging. Thought I was getting to where I was able to distinguish. I did run a tank of mid-octane gas, and I "think" it is less apparant.

When you say header..... Is there some quality stuff out there that can compete with Banks, and is it affordable? Can anyone tell me if the Banks Power-Pack (vs. the Stinger) require running premium like the "chips" do? Has anyone out there installed the Banks stuff and are they happy with the "tone" out the tailpipe???

Thanks -

 

There are currently 4 companys making headers for the V10. Gibson, JBA, Borla and Banks. Gibson and JBA are manifold replacement headers. That is, they replace the manifolds and use the stock Ford crossover pipe. Banks and Borla use a different crossover pipe that is included with the headers. I would recomend Borla headers. They are a great alternative to Banks. IMO, the Banks would have to make a ton more power to justify the costs. I don't beleive they do. Granted they are made a little differently, but I don't feel that Borla makes an inferior product. I've had Borla headers now for about 3000 miles and I can say they do add some power. My mpg has also increased 1/2 to 1 mpg. They've also added a bit of rumble to the exhaust. Look here for install pics: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...a=11913717&f=0

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-May-01 AT 02:00 PM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 02-May-01 AT 01:59 PM (EST)[/font]

I also had the same problem the other day pulling my 7500# TT. In OD even at low speeds at had severe pinging that went away out of OD. This is the second time I have pulled it with this truck and it did not happen the first time. I was concerned about bad gas too. I will be towing it again this weekend so I'll see what happens.

2001 F-250 SD CC V-10 Lariat SWB
[link:www.umich.edu/~jimcald/truck.jpg|Truck]

 

I purchased a 2001 excursion with a V-10, it pinged whenever I held a steady throttle setting on an incline or when I worked the engine at all. ford told me it was a gas quality problem. Well they were wrong, the dealer I go to found the oil returns in the right cylinder head to be not there. When the engine worked at all or ran at over 2000 RPM, the right valve cover would fill with oil to level that the PCV system could pick up. the oil then went into the intake and was burned. this caused some smoking and the O2 sensor would respond and try to lean out the fuel air mixture causing the engine to ping. Partially pluged oil returns would do the same thing. Ford replaced my engine and now I can't get it to ping no matter what octane fuel I burn or how hard I work the truck.