Soon after I got my new 2000 Ranger 3.0L, the dreaded pinging started. I went through all the hoops with the dealer, i.e., Ignition coil + PCM Assy. per the TSB bulletin. I didn't go that route. I just began running 89 octane. The pinging was better, but still noticeably there. I just lived with it. About 2 months ago, I started running 87 octane, for several reasons. First, I read where only 87 octane should be used and second was the price. Well after running 3 tanks of 87, the pinging was getting worse and was horrible to listen to. By far the worst that I have heard. Two weeks ago my check engine light came on. Well, off to the dealer. They ran the code check. It was a faulty DPFE sensor. I had it replace. Ouch! I then took it out on the interstate and to my surprise, no pinging at all. I filled up again last week and with 87, and all is well. I am sure that all the pinging problems are not going to be solved by replacing the DPFE, but it worked (so far) for me.
Oh how nice it is to be ping free. Hope my experience helps.
Tim

 

Thanks for the info, I don't have a CEL but I do have the ping, was planning on a new DPFE soon with summer coming.

 

What's a DPFE sensor?

 

Just wondering if anyone has tried a lower temp thermostat...at least for the warmer months. I've heard Fords will tolerate a 180 without affecting performance or emmisions. I had a chance to get a decent price on a ranger, but it had the 3.0l V6. I've had cars that ping. No thanks.

Hope you don't mind me lurking, Ranger will probably be my next Ford. The van I have now is great, but the gas prices are getting out of hand.

 

DPFE, I think I found what it is. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Here is a description from alldatadiy.com.

The differential pressure feedback EGR sensor is a ceramic, capacitive-type pressure transducer that monitors the differential pressure across a metering orifice located in the orifice tube assembly. The differential pressure feedback sensor receives this signal through two hoses referred to as the downstream pressure hose (REF SIGNAL) and upstream pressure hose (HI SIGNAL). The HI and REF hose connections are marked on the aluminum differential pressure feedback EGR sensor housing for identification (note that the HI signal uses a larger diameter hose). The differential pressure feedback EGR sensor outputs a voltage proportional to the pressure drop across the metering orifice and supplies it to the PCM as EGR flow rate feedback.