Pinging under acceleration, no distributor!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: British Columbia
Pinging under acceleration, no distributor!
Hi, I posted this eons ago and forgot the replies. My Aerostar pings under heavy acceleration. It is a 1992 2WD extended sport with 4 liter and auto trans. I recently changed the plugs to Bosch Platinum personally set to the specified gap and that's when it started. Have tried several different fuel
brands to no avail, but have not tried 92 or 94 octane fuels available cause I can't justify the cost ($1/liter or about $4.55/IMP gal, $3.75/U.S gal or so)
007BRONCO
brands to no avail, but have not tried 92 or 94 octane fuels available cause I can't justify the cost ($1/liter or about $4.55/IMP gal, $3.75/U.S gal or so)
007BRONCO
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Deteriorated plug wires are a common source of pinging or rattle type noises when the engine is subjected a load such as rapid acceleration or pulling up long grades. The plug wires generally last around 80,000 miles on the factory originals. The engine will run fine at idle and light throttle which delays early detection. When repacing, use a quality replacement such as Motorcraft or Bosch. Cheap sets are quickly destroyed by these high energy ignition systems and may only last 20-30,000 miles.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: British Columbia
Thanks, My Aerostar has 204,000 KM (120,000 miles) and is probably on the original wires. I will replace them with some good Mallory or Ford Motorsports wires soon. However, why only after I changed the plugs (to a "better" type) did this happen?. I can see from your previous posts that you know these vehicles inside and out, as I slowly am as well. Much appreciated!
007BRONCO
(or should I change it to 007AEROSTAR?)
007BRONCO
(or should I change it to 007AEROSTAR?)
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If it happened only after you changed the plugs, and if it was immediately after you changed the plugs you may have not gotten the plug wire down all the way on the plug, or in my opinion bosch plugs are of horrible quality so..... I'd say when you do the plug wires replace the plugs with a set of motorcraft or autolites.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Plugs of the incorrect heat range can cause a ping. If you changed brands be suspicious. I had this happen once and even though the plug supposedly was "the correct one" the engine was not happy until I changed back. Not to demean your mechanical talents, but pulling on the plug wire rather than the boot when removing it can damage the interior conductive core which causes misfiring - pinging.
I'll stand by my recommendation of Bosch. After 75,000 miles and still perfect resistance readings, its hard to argue with success.
BTW, thanks for the kind comments, but Racerguy is the true expert around here. He does it for a living, I do it for fun. We are fortunate to have someone with his experience to draw on.
I'll stand by my recommendation of Bosch. After 75,000 miles and still perfect resistance readings, its hard to argue with success.
BTW, thanks for the kind comments, but Racerguy is the true expert around here. He does it for a living, I do it for fun. We are fortunate to have someone with his experience to draw on.
Last edited by aerocolorado; Oct 29, 2004 at 08:02 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Yeah aeroc I work on Fords for a living but I hardly ever work on Aerostars anymore. Chances are you have more experience on them lately than me.
So let's call you the expert and that gets me off the hook
So let's call you the expert and that gets me off the hook
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From: British Columbia
Thanks guys, anyone that works on thier own or other's Aerostars without committing suicide during or shortly thereafter should be considered an "expert" (or hero) in my books. I am an aircraft mechanic by trade and run into some pretty tight spots but my Aerostar has them all beat. How do I know what temp range the plugs are and what temp range I should have? The MAF sensor mentioned is between the air filter and intake ducting?. For now I will replace the wires with a quality set, recheck the gap on the Bosch plugs I installed and go from there. On a lighter note I just bought a set of PIAA bulbs for my headlights, says they are equivalent to 100/110 Watts but legal. Can't wait to try em (don't worry they will be properly aimed, I hate blinding, mis-aimed lights as well) They cost a hundred bucks/pair but now I won't need aux lighting (I hope)
P.S. I love my Aerostar but the wife and I are considering a full size van like a travel van with the leather and bed and TV and Captain's chairs etc etc. We have two kids and babysit 3 others. What do you guys think?
007BRONCO
P.S. I love my Aerostar but the wife and I are considering a full size van like a travel van with the leather and bed and TV and Captain's chairs etc etc. We have two kids and babysit 3 others. What do you guys think?
007BRONCO
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Senior User
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Two other things that will make you ping are bad vacume lines and a worn O2 sensor. I love Bosch Plugs but I have heard some reasons as why Bosch platinums do not work good on the distributorless ignitions. Pesonally I would check other sources first before blaming the plugs.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by aerocolorado
I'll stand by my recommendation of Bosch. After 75,000 miles and still perfect resistance readings, its hard to argue with success.
Thanks!