When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 92 Explorer 4.0 with 140k miles. Runs like a champ, and no major problems. Since day 1 at 60k miles (for me) it has always pinged over 60 mph. My mechanic removed the timing plug that retards it, but didn't help much. I generally don't drive highway speeds so I haven't heard or worried. I have been forced to run 93 gas.
This past weekend, I replaced the O2 sensor, now it pings MUCH MORE. I assume that the old O2 was making it rich enough to suppress the pinging. 2 dealers cannot find ( or don't care to ) find the problem.
You say you have engine ping, well, I have the same problem with my 92 4.0 litre. I have done it once, and now once again. The lower intake manifold bolts become loose and this allows a vacuum leak into one of the cylinders. From what i have read on the internet, people are saying that it is cylinder No. 5 that leaks. This would be the centre cylinder on the drivers side of the engine. I think that they have the cylinder numbering confused and it is actually cylinder No. 3. The aft cylinder on the passenger side that leaks. I am rebuilding a 4.0 litre for my 92 as we speak and No. 3 cylinder is the one that was definately leaking. It was the only cylinder with lots and lots of carbon and oil soakage. Before you do anything I would tighten your Intake. It is tough to get to, but it worked for me and i am sure that this will more than likely cure your ping problem as well.
I have a 2002 Ranger Edge 4.0L which I beleive uses the same engine. I and many others have the same problem. I swore it was pinging (detonation) and tried premium fuel to no avail, but have discovered numerous posts saying that it is an issue with the timing chain tensioner. Go to the "Ranger" list and drill down a few pages to find one titled "4.0L SOHC Timing chain Rattle Noise".
Maybe this is the problem, I'm not sure. I'm going to have mine diagnosed soon.
Thanks for the clarification. What year did the explorer switch to the engine type I have? By the way, my present 4.0L does use a timing chain not a belt.
I have a 92 exp 4.0L that pings. I pulled the timing advance spout connector and it removed the ping. Mileage went from 18 to 17 around town; I have a 3.27 rear end. I also tightened the intake manifold bolts which were only hand tight. I have since put the spout connector back on. I am running 89 octane fuel with no ping.
I went thru the drill of pinging in a 93 4.0 at 70 K miles and the dealer could not find the problem. Tried new plugs, sensors, high octane gas etc. This was over a period of 2 years and 35K miles. Finally put in some new Motorcraft wires, rebooted the computer, drove it hard on the interstate with hills on a hot day and no pinging. My two cents worth.
i also have a 94 explorer
it was pinging bad even with 93 octane gas
i took it to the dealer and he found my mass air flow meter was bad and it was running lean because of it even though my check engine light was not on
when i replaced it the problem went away and now i can run the cheap gas
I had a 92 Explorer EB which I traded last fall for my Sport. It had 120,000 miles when I traded it. The engine ran great except for the pinging. I can't remeber when it started. My father bought it in 95 w/ 14,000 miles on it and it drove fine with the 87 octane. Sometime later (a year or two I'm guessing), it began the pinging. They said at the dealer they could fix it but it would loose power so we passed on that. Instead, we started using 93 octane. I bought it off my father in 98 and eventually weened it off the 93 and down to the 89 which it drove pretty good on. Also saved some $$$. Now that I have the Sport, I only use 87 and really save some $$$.