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My 2000 3.0 5spd (Flex Fuel) has been pinging like crazy! I have read in the past some fixes for this...does anyone know where to locate these past conversations? (Or have some ideas to try and fix it?) Any help is greatly appreciated!!!
I was never able to fix my 2000 3.0 FF, had to run 93 gas. The only thing I never tried was replacing the computer, I bet Bob's link will get you to the TSB about this topic.
I have been reading the links from Bob (Thanks Bob!!!) for the last 45 min...and I have a few things to try this afternoon or tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
If you check out the URL that I posted in post #2, Rockledge has a section on what pinging is. But to answer your question briefly, pinging is a noise that is created when the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder explodes rapidly, instead of a controlled "burn". This "explosion" makes a pinging noise from
banging on the valves, piston top, and the rest of the combustion chamber.
The higher the fuel octane rating, the less susceptible it is to pinging.
I've been posting time and time again about this problem in my 3.0 and I've never gotten a satisfactory solution to it.
I have yet to do the Seafoam treatment, but I have replaced the PCV, tested the EGR system, cleaned the MAF, run 92 octane in it, and replaced those crummy Bosch plugs with some Autolite double platinums.
Of all of that, only a few things seem to have helped - replacing the crappy Bosch plugs and replacing the PCV valve.
BTW: On the 2000 3.0 EFI non-FFV engine, what hose would you use to insert the Seafoam? I looked at that engine and couldn't find anything I'd want to use. Could I use the PCV valve hose?
I feel for your pain here, it sucks having the engine ping so damn much, but there are a few things to look at that I will try next - the Oxygen sensor and the DPFE sensors/EGR valves.
ok thanks. does it mean you gas mileage is taking a dump.
Not at all for some reason. When I was doing mostly interstate driving my milage was a pretty dependable 22 mpg. When I switched to my new house and now its all surface street - the milage dropped to about 18 mpg. That's about what I would expect given the age of the engine and the stop and go that is so typical of Seattle.
Yes pinging does hurt things. Its hard on the pistons, valves, spark plugs, and totally robs your vehicle of power.
Its not something you want to happen on a consistent basis. Remember that pinging is the fuel/air mixture igniting before the proper time and therefore the pressure in the cylinders will be elevated at the wrong times. That pressure can damage anything in the chamber - can damage it, doesn't mean it will. Personally I don't want to take the chance with my truck - since it's the only one I got and I simply can't afford to take on a new vehicle payment at this time.
To add to what Bob noted in post #7, pinging can occur another way.......
Excessive carbon buildup can result in preignition of the gas/air mixture. This results in a flamefront that collides with the flamefront created when the spark plug ignites the mixture at another point in the combustion chamber. When these two flamefronts meet, you get a noise which is your engine ping (aka, knock). Furthermore, lean mixtures burn hotter than rich mixtures; a lean mixture results in higher combustion chamber temps that encourage carbon buildup to cause preignition. Severe (keyword) and persistant pinging, left uncorrected, can result in engine damage including holes in pistons.