Does "pinging cause damage?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Does "pinging cause damage?
I drive a 1988 F150, 302, AOD, 3.55 4 x 2 truck with about 75K miles on it. I have a bit of a ping, which seems to be intermittant. I tried using a mid-range gas (89 instead of 87), and that seemed to help a bit, but did not stop the ping entirely. Does the pinging cause any engine damage, or is it just annoying. Otherwise it drives well, gets average gas mileage. I would rather not spend money on a full tune-up, but will do so if you all recommend it. I don't know when the previous owner did the last tune-up, but it seems to drive o.k.
I would appreciate any advice.
Frank.
I would appreciate any advice.
Frank.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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The sound you hear as pinging is actually the shock waves traveling through your motor due to the uncontrolled explosions in the combustion chambers. Instread of the gas air mixture being fired by your sparkplugs the mixture is being set off by pressure and heat. When this happens the explosion is not controlled but very violent and quick causing pressure and heat spikes far in excess of what is observed in a normal cylinder combustion process. Another term used for this is detonation. Diesels actually fire this way and that is why their blocks, heads etc. are designed to be much much stronger.
Will it hurt the motor? Eventually, if it has not already, it certainly will if left unchecked. The usual result is cracked pistons, heads,rings etc. and in severe cases blocks.
Will it hurt the motor? Eventually, if it has not already, it certainly will if left unchecked. The usual result is cracked pistons, heads,rings etc. and in severe cases blocks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Pinging is causing and will cause more engine damage. Check the timing of the motor, and have the plugs/wires/cap/rotor changed if it hasn't been done resently. Shouldn't be much money, no offense but this kind of stuff is important and you need to keep your vehicle in somewhat decent shape or it isn't going to last long.
