pinging/preignition 93 4.0 advice
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
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pinging/preignition 93 4.0 advice
Hello, i just recently purchased a '93 ranger with 4.0 v6. it is a 4wheel drive and i love the truck. it only has 76,000 miles on it and is in great shape. only problem is it rattles bad when you want to accelerate up a hill. I put premium fuel in it and that helped a lot but it still does it and premium is expensive. does anyone have any advice on how to make this quit? i bought some new spark plugs and i'll install them tonight but any other advice would be very much appreciated. thanks, Kent
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Michigan
pinging
I had been having really bad engine problems (pinging, lack of power, rough idle and the like) and once I changed the plugs, things improved dramatically. Check your manual b/c mine actually says that pinging is to be expected. I have the 2.5 though in an 01... either way, good luck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
There are three things that typically cause the 4.0L to ping (in no particular order):
1) Dirty MAF sensor.
2) Loose lower intake bolts causeing a vac leak.
3) Engine needs to be decarboned.
If you look in the sticky titled technical information, you will find help on how to address these. For #2, get a service manual and simply retorque the bolts in the correct sequence. BTW, there is a TSB that addresses #3; it specifically advises against using anything other than 87 octane as that can result in carbon buildup. All three items above are rather simple to implement. Let us know how you come out.
1) Dirty MAF sensor.
2) Loose lower intake bolts causeing a vac leak.
3) Engine needs to be decarboned.
If you look in the sticky titled technical information, you will find help on how to address these. For #2, get a service manual and simply retorque the bolts in the correct sequence. BTW, there is a TSB that addresses #3; it specifically advises against using anything other than 87 octane as that can result in carbon buildup. All three items above are rather simple to implement. Let us know how you come out.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
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I did not have time to work on this yet but I will post the results to help others.. i plan on putting new plugs in it and cleaning the maf sensor. i'm not so comfortable with the decarbon yet, i'll do that last if the other two don't clear it up. Thanks KS
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From: SW Va
When you get to the de~carb proceedure, IMHO, I'd put the old plugs back in before doing it, but then why not just go ahead & do the decarb, before you put those nice new plugs in & save yourself some time & aggravation.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
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I changed plugs (the old ones were gapped way too wide and worn), I put in a new air filter, pvc (because it needed it) and i cleaned the maf sensor. the sensor wasn't too dirty but i cleaned it anyway. I do not hear any pinging any more but it hasn't been very hot either. i'm hoping this fixed it. i'm going to torque the intake yet at some point and i'll keep you posted. KS
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Mountain Pass
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Follow up: I changed the plugs and cleaned the maf sensor. I did not torque the intake or decarbon yet. I have been driving it a lot on 87 octane and have not heard any pinging yet! Just letting everybody know how it went. thanks, Kent
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From: Miami
Several weeks ago, I went through the procedure to decarbon as detailed in post https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100739&highlight=pinging+ Now about 900 miles later, sometimes upon starting up, the exhaust gives out great plumes of smelly grey smoke for about a minute, just as it did during the decarb process. Performance doesn't seem affected. What gives?
John
1993 Aerostar 4.0 145k miles
John
1993 Aerostar 4.0 145k miles
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From: Miami
Pawpaw - yup, changed the plugs and oil right after the decarbon.
This is what aerocolorado posted in the Aerostar Forum:
"Just a guess, but it would seem logical that you have loosened pieces of carbon and cleaner fluid lodged in either the catalysts or muffler (or both) that are periodically being burned off."
It happened again this morning. Just seems strange that nothing for 3 weeks/900 miles and then the smoking begins.
John
<!-- / message -->
This is what aerocolorado posted in the Aerostar Forum:
"Just a guess, but it would seem logical that you have loosened pieces of carbon and cleaner fluid lodged in either the catalysts or muffler (or both) that are periodically being burned off."
It happened again this morning. Just seems strange that nothing for 3 weeks/900 miles and then the smoking begins.
John
<!-- / message -->
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From: SW Va
Good idea on the oil & plug change IMHO John.
Well lets see, when you cleaned the MAF, was it before or after the decarbon proceedure????
If afterward, maybe somehow the MAF got a little contamination on the element.
Doesn't take much in the way of oil mist, dust, lint, even spider webs will upset it.
I suppose it could be deposits in the muffler letting go, hard to believe they've resided in the cat converter, at it's operating temperature, for 900 miles.
If it's starting, ideling & running ok, think I'd just watch it for a while & see what if anything transpires.
You might try repeating the 3 mile > 3600 RPM, blow out & see if that will clear it's sinuses. Any excuse to wind one out, RIGHT!!!!!
I can hear you now.....but officer, pawpaw told me to blow it out for 3 miles, at greater than 3600 RPM.... hehehe
Well lets see, when you cleaned the MAF, was it before or after the decarbon proceedure????
If afterward, maybe somehow the MAF got a little contamination on the element.
Doesn't take much in the way of oil mist, dust, lint, even spider webs will upset it.
I suppose it could be deposits in the muffler letting go, hard to believe they've resided in the cat converter, at it's operating temperature, for 900 miles.
If it's starting, ideling & running ok, think I'd just watch it for a while & see what if anything transpires.
You might try repeating the 3 mile > 3600 RPM, blow out & see if that will clear it's sinuses. Any excuse to wind one out, RIGHT!!!!!
I can hear you now.....but officer, pawpaw told me to blow it out for 3 miles, at greater than 3600 RPM.... hehehe
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From: Miami
MAF was cleaned AFTER decarbon. MAF actually looked very clean. Couldn't find denatured alcohol so used carb cleaner and then rubbing alcohol. No difference upon reassembly, and smoking didn't begin for another 2 weeks.
Will continue to monitor.
John
Will continue to monitor.
John
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