Ok I buy this 2001 Mazda B3000. I thought I heard a teeny ping on the test ride but hey, I can deal with that. Turns out they had at least 93 octane in it. On 87 it sounds like its coming apart, which it probably is. So I read the threads on this site and clean the MAF ---No good. I replace it---No good. It idles steady. I changed the plugs which were different on each side and 3 of em were gapped @ 070 {things that make you go HMMMMM} with double platinum Autolites. Same PING. Thinkin about barkin up the EGR tree but it just isn't adding up. Other symptoms. 2-3K rpm in any gear even moderate application of lead foot produces nasty nasty ping on 87. On a test ride I was winding through 3rd cog as it went through the final warm up and it started to ping just like a ping switch was turned on. Bone cold it doesn't do it hardly at all. Poor power. Top end, on good 93, is maybe 90. ping still there with all but the finest vintage high octane fuel. Local garage checked it out and replaced the fuel filter which was original after 31K. No effect. They said no codes but it showed low fuel flow at 3Krpm + ???? Acceleration from 65 up in 5th is almost not there. I travel for my work and like to stay with traffic. This truck dont do it. My very old Nissan with sixty eleven scazillion miles on her {ole Nellie} would stomp on this truck bad. I was a diesel wrench for years and thought I could defeat this sucker but HEEEELPPPP Capn'T

 

Ain't no expert on these EMS computer do-wa's, but it is good cold and bad hot, right? This tells me the O2 sensor (or others?) are coming on and it is leaving the default program and going from open loop to closed loop operation. And it sure sounds like it is being injected lean from the symptoms, the power curve falls off radically with a minor change in A/F on the lean side. Maybe O2 or dirty injectors???? Just thinking. GL

 

From what I read if memory serves me right, the 3.0L was basically made to ping. Well, "made to ping" is not quite right, but Ford figures it is too costly to fix the timing advance and some other stuff to avoid this issue.

Runnig too high an octane than what is called for WILL carbon up an engine. Try decarbing that bad boy and hope things get better.

Otherwise, find a B2500 Cab Plus to trade for, because the OHC 4.0L is a PITA to mess with as well. An OHV B4000 is doing better, since they were around in 01, I believe.

 

Thanks for the responses.Since my last post I have put the old MAF back. No Change. Used some combustion chamber cleaner which almost netted a visit from the fire dept. No change. It seems to be getting worse. I have read threads about an idle control thinamajig but it idles OK. Wondering about the main brain computer or injectors. Does anyone know if a chip would effect a malfunction in the ECC. No codes of idiot lights noted at any time. Thinkin about EGR stuff too. Thanx again Spazdaman

 

A chip may affect the timing and the need for a higher octane.....and be causing it, but purchasing a chip will not fix it, not sure which of the two you meant.

Maybe some head work was done that caused this, or some head work NEEDS to be done to alleviate it

It could be timing related too, anyone know if the timing on these is adjustable? Thats all I can come up with for possibilities.

 

What about the temp sensors? If the computer thinks the air or coolant are hotter than they really are it could be leaning the mixture.

Of course I have a 93 with a 4.0 that does the same thing just not as bad as you describe and a temp sensor change did not fix mine.

I have a love-hate relationship with my three 4.0L's

 

I agree that the design of the 3.0L vulcan engine puts it on the edge of pinging right out of the factory. Squeezing as much fuel economy and power out of this engine has come at some expense, unfortunately.

When you factor in things such as carbon buildup, and ignition, fuel delivery and cooling system breakdowns, and other engine knock "enhancers", then it should come as no surprise that the 3.0L vulcan engine often leaves the vehicle owner scrambling for pinging solutions. And keep in mind that there is no knock sensor (probably because Ford was worried it might retard the timing so much that the engine wouldn't put out acceptable power).

IMO, much of the same thing can be said about the Ford 4.0L (OHV).

 

Low fuel flow? Could it be a dying fuel pump? Low flow would cause you to run lean which would be a sure thing to cause a slight ping to become a death rattle.

-Jim

 

Hey Spadzaman .... I believe this 3 liter pinging was a major factory problem. I know someone that had this come about almost immediately on a brand new truck back in around 92. Ford dealerships Knew about this and had a de-carboning rig they hooked to the intake manifold and with the engine running they added some cleaning agent to remove carbon from the piston heads. The fix worked well to our surprise.

F250 SD CC PSD 4X4

 

I have had outstanding results with OTC Techron additive for cleaning. (As one would hope for about $1.00 an ounce!)
Also, if you have an oscilloscope available and a VOM, you might learn something by looking at the O2 output vs injector pulse-width, just another thought. GL

 

A vacuum leak can cause pinging. It's quick and easy to check if you have a guage. If not, go buy one. They are cheap. Who knows, maybe you will get lucky and find a bad hose or something. Good luck.

 

OK I tried a bunch of the stuff yall posted. No good. Vacume is OK Tried cleaning out Combustion chambers but I think I just have too much junk in them. Has anyone tried Water injection to control PING. It cleans the chambers too and that is the current tree I am barking up thanks to the replies and advise from here and wherever. Thanx Spazdaman

 

Theres got to be a way of tricking the ECU into richening the mixture. Water injection would sure cure the ping but it won't put any power back into it. It sure would fatten it up if you put a 1.5V "D" cell in series with the O2 sensor! I can't think of a .1 VDC source you could move the curve with.... hmmmm any thoughts on this anyone?

 

I have a 00 2.5L. I had a terrible, terrible ping (on a level service). I fixed my ping my putting my old MOTORCRAFT wires back on it (they had only 30K on them) and bought a new MAF from NAPA... make sure your wires run parrellel to each other and do not cross over each other (Physics 101).... Make sure they do not lean up against your fuel injection wires... my ping went away. I get a little ping on the freeway under load only now.... My old MAF didn't look dirty at all if you ask me.... I think some are going bad.... I still use 87 octane... not sure about your 3.0... I did not replace my spark plugs that had only 10K on them.

Good Luck