Pinging 3.0
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Just wanted to post a follow up to the pinging issues that my Ranger has been having.
I haven't quite yet pulled ALL the hair out of my head, but of course mother nature is doing her part just fine without my help anyway.
As to the engine coolant, changing it did help the issue, but it still exists. It most definitely only pings when the engine is hot, the recent cool off here in Puget Sound has really helped. It's not like my engine even gets remotely close to overheating, so I don't know what the H is going on. I'm gonna bench test the O2 sensors, clean the throttle body, then decarb the engine and put this to rest.
I haven't quite yet pulled ALL the hair out of my head, but of course mother nature is doing her part just fine without my help anyway.
As to the engine coolant, changing it did help the issue, but it still exists. It most definitely only pings when the engine is hot, the recent cool off here in Puget Sound has really helped. It's not like my engine even gets remotely close to overheating, so I don't know what the H is going on. I'm gonna bench test the O2 sensors, clean the throttle body, then decarb the engine and put this to rest.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, CA
Have had this persistent pinging problem with some of our Rangers. For what ever the reason they really do not like anything but Motorcraft spark plugs. Make sure that you have good spark plug wires and an acceptable kW of power going through them. The Rangers will accumulate some carbon which adds to the frustration. Dirty air filters, MAF sensors and the like contribute to this however the Seafoam has worked well over several years at dissolving the carbon buildup.
Since you plan to bench test your oxygen sensor you may wish to bench test your coolant temperature sensor also. Errant signal will effect the calculated mixture and add to your frustration.
Persevere!
Russ
Since you plan to bench test your oxygen sensor you may wish to bench test your coolant temperature sensor also. Errant signal will effect the calculated mixture and add to your frustration.
Persevere!
Russ
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
So I gave it the old Seafoam treatment finally. Don't know why it took so long to do it, but I'm pretty busy so it took a back seat.
My poor old Ranger wasn't feeling too good throughout the whole process, as soon as I took the hose off the power brake booster it shuddered and coughed like an asthmatic. I basically just put the vacuum hose up the the surface of the Seafoam and let it suck it in, which seemed to smooth out the idle. A couple of times the engine shuddered and began making horrid knocking noises and I was scared to death that I threw a rod putting too much in at once. But it went away on its own. Anyway I about had the last gulp in when the truck up and died. So I shrugged my shoulders, poured the teaspoonfull back into the Seafoam can and washed my hands while I waited. Seafoam says to wait 5 minutes, so I waited about that and then started 'er up.
The driveway was covered in an awful grey smog for a couple of minutes, then the exhaust cleared up except for some minor smoke. I drove it around the neighborhood just to make sure I really didn't throw a rod.
Actually it pings WORSE
now than it did before the Seafoam treatment. I'm gonna pull the plugs tommorrow after work to see if they're the reason it's pinging now from carbon buildup. Also I need to pull the O2 sensor(s)? to bench it as well.
My poor old Ranger wasn't feeling too good throughout the whole process, as soon as I took the hose off the power brake booster it shuddered and coughed like an asthmatic. I basically just put the vacuum hose up the the surface of the Seafoam and let it suck it in, which seemed to smooth out the idle. A couple of times the engine shuddered and began making horrid knocking noises and I was scared to death that I threw a rod putting too much in at once. But it went away on its own. Anyway I about had the last gulp in when the truck up and died. So I shrugged my shoulders, poured the teaspoonfull back into the Seafoam can and washed my hands while I waited. Seafoam says to wait 5 minutes, so I waited about that and then started 'er up.
The driveway was covered in an awful grey smog for a couple of minutes, then the exhaust cleared up except for some minor smoke. I drove it around the neighborhood just to make sure I really didn't throw a rod.
Actually it pings WORSE
now than it did before the Seafoam treatment. I'm gonna pull the plugs tommorrow after work to see if they're the reason it's pinging now from carbon buildup. Also I need to pull the O2 sensor(s)? to bench it as well.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, CA
I agree with Ken, start with the spark plugs. Have not had trouble with the o2 sensors and Seafoam - could be that you have considerable carbon build up and may require a second application at some point.. May also wish to consider changing the oil and filter if the smoke and particles emitting from your tailpipe were significant.
Russ
Russ
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
To be honest that Seafoam treatment didn't seem like I was doing the truck any favors. The vehicle hated having that line undone and the notion of sucking fluids into the intake manifold just seems like bad practice. Not to mention all that crap that's probably getting passed to the exhaust.
I know the plugs are bad, all the anecdotes from the tech sticky on the 4.0 decarbon issue tell me that much. But seeing how they only have about 100 miles on them I'm just gonna give 'em a little toothbrushing to remove any crap and inspect for irregularities - then get Motorcraft plugs if any turn up bad.
I know the plugs are bad, all the anecdotes from the tech sticky on the 4.0 decarbon issue tell me that much. But seeing how they only have about 100 miles on them I'm just gonna give 'em a little toothbrushing to remove any crap and inspect for irregularities - then get Motorcraft plugs if any turn up bad.
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