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COPS are 'coil over plugs'. The 5.4 doesn't have spark plug wires (that I am aware of, at least my 2000 doesn't), it has the COPS, which are individual coils that sit right on top of the plugs (there is no single coil anymore on these engines like the old days), the plug is further down in the plug well in the head, snaps over the plug itself. Maybe your dealer replaced some COPS(?), I see from many posts here that COPS tend to go bad a lot (mine haven't yet), they apparently tend to get water in them under certain conditions. Like anything on an engine, they wear down over time, too. COPS are pretty expensive according to the posts I've seen here.
Superchips Ron... towing between 3-5k pounds (ski boat or travel trailer). No engine mods except drop-in K&N air filter. Only other mod is oversize tires/wheels (305/50/20's). Pinging occurs with moderate-heavy excelleration, regardless of towing. Pinging seems to occur more when engine is warm (after driving around a bit).
Sounds like alot of load between the wheels and whats on the trailer. A couple or questions:
1. Does the truck have a digital odometer? I ask because the tire height being recalibrated for does help in keeping the truck in a good point in the powerband.
2.How many miles have you had the product? Has it always acted like this?
Ron
Superchips...
1. Yes, it has a digital odometer.
2. I have only had the programmer for about 2.5 months. Yes, it has always caused the pinging... again regardless of towing.
I bought the programmer, because I wanted to recalibrate for the change in tire height AND it would be a bonus to get firmer shifts and a little more HP. However, the pinging has forced me to return the programming back to stock.
I've been trying to get advice on how to solve the pinging issue (contacted your tech line and they said it may be the gas in California, but offered no workaround or solution other than that there may be a program upgrade release that would account for the gas in Cali, but I would have to buy a new/updated unit to get the new programming). In the meantime, I have already past the 30 day return window... so now I'm trying to find some way to get this thing to work, so that I haven't wasted $400. Any help/advice would be appreciated.
One thing at a time.
When you recaled the tires did you measure from the ground to the top tire within 1/4 increaments?
Are you traveling in mountainous areas?
Do you use the same brand of fuel?
Why don't you email or call me directly. I will probably have you send the tuner to me to make sure the programs look good.
When you call make sure you have the following items:
Vin
Invoice of the tuner purchase
tuner
Ron
When you recaled the tires did you measure from the ground to the top tire within 1/4 increaments? No, I used a metric to inches conversion tool that I found on a 4X4 website.
Are you traveling in mountainous areas? Not really, daily driving is mostly flat. I occasionally tow the boat to lakes that have few rolling hills. However, I did tow the travel trailer (w/ the program installed) to a camping spot that had some short, but moderately steep climbs.
Do you use the same brand of fuel? Yes, for the most part (about 80% of the time).
I'm at work right now... I will gather the info you requested and call or email you on Monday. Thanks for your help!
MisterCMK: What vacuum line do you 'pour' seafoam into? How do you perform that procedure? While it is running? How much do you use from the can?
Usually the brake booster line works well to pull in the seafoam. What you do is start the truck and let it idle. Pull the brake booster line and suck in 1/2 or so can of seafoam making sure that the truck doesn't stall out. Then stick the hose all of the way into the can to let it stall out. If it doesn't kill just turn it off after trying to kill it. Let the truck sit for 10-15 minutes and then take it for a drive. It will most likely smoke a lot, but thats not a big deal; its just the seafoam doing its job.
Just a thought - but have you cleaned your MAF sensor since installing/oiling the K&N? Often oil/dirt on the sensor will cause your MAF sensor to read incorrectly, which can cause the symptoms you describe
Usually the brake booster line works well to pull in the seafoam. What you do is start the truck and let it idle. Pull the brake booster line and suck in 1/2 or so can of seafoam making sure that the truck doesn't stall out. Then stick the hose all of the way into the can to let it stall out. If it doesn't kill just turn it off after trying to kill it. Let the truck sit for 10-15 minutes and then take it for a drive. It will most likely smoke a lot, but thats not a big deal; its just the seafoam doing its job.
Huh? Doesn't this expose the engine to dislodging a large oil clot? Doesn't it change the lubricative properties of the oil in the engine by diluting it significantly and possibly causing damage? Do Ford mechanics actually do this procedure at a dealership, for example? The process sounds simple enough, but to run the truck until you stall it out and then hope to run it again without damaging the sensors like the exhaust gas/O2 senors? Wouldn't it coat the sensors in some way? What exactly is happening when you leave the truck idle right after stalling it? I can understand how putting Seafoam in the fuel system would clean it out (nominally, for a tank full or two of gas at best), but I really don't get the idea of running it in the crankcase. It just seems that there would be too much risk of long term damage. How would you even be able to measure whether the procedure was effective or not? Wouldn't you want to change your oil immediately after the procedure to flush out the dilution and sludge? Does this really work and is it safe? Thanks for the details on how you do the procedure.
Just a thought - but have you cleaned your MAF sensor since installing/oiling the K&N? Often oil/dirt on the sensor will cause your MAF sensor to read incorrectly, which can cause the symptoms you describe
No, I haven't cleaned the MAF... but if the MAF was dirty, wouldn't the pinging occur when I wasn't running the Superchips programming (e.g. stock program)? I only get the pinging after installing the Superchips programs.
Yes and no.
With the advance in timing it may be more aparent.
Without the advance the Knock sensor may take it all away.
But it the sensor doesn't read the volume right it will though off the AFR just enough to get over the limits.
Ron