Ping Ping Ping????????
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Junior User
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Ping Ping Ping????????
Hey all, my 97 Expedition has a bad ping under load or up hills. I have to use high octane to be able to drive the truck now. It still pings, but not as bad. Is there something I need to change or look at? 
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2006
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My '00 is doing the same thing. Where I used to use 87 - 89 octane to pull a small (2500lb) trailer without a problem, now I use 93 and still get terrible pinging going up hills. The dealership wants to use a machine that injects a cleaning chemical into the intake with the purpose of cleaning out the carbon buildup. I have not done this yet. How many miles on your '97? I just turned 100K.
Has anyone had this cleaning done? Does it work?
Has anyone had this cleaning done? Does it work?
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Junior User
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I think I am at around 140K now. I ended up buying a 4 banger so I can save money driving to work and back. Also, that cleaning chemical you can buy at any auto parts store. I regularly do this on my Expedition, so I am sure thats not the problem.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Cornelius, Oregon
Mine is the same way. Under standard driving conditions I can usually get away with mid-range and not have it ping. If I'm towing anything even super + octane boost will not keep it from pinging. Up some hills it's so bad I'm afraid it's going to throw a rod out the side of the block.
Since I don't tow a whole lot this has been a low priority for me, but I've done some asking around. Lots of people say try running the SeaFoam treatment through it as a first step and that usually clears it up. I've also heard that the knock sensors on these go out sometimes. From what I understand it's like a $40 part and not real hard to change, but I haven't gotten around to trying either approaches yet.
Oh and mine is a '99 with only 85k on it.
Since I don't tow a whole lot this has been a low priority for me, but I've done some asking around. Lots of people say try running the SeaFoam treatment through it as a first step and that usually clears it up. I've also heard that the knock sensors on these go out sometimes. From what I understand it's like a $40 part and not real hard to change, but I haven't gotten around to trying either approaches yet.
Oh and mine is a '99 with only 85k on it.
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Junior User
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Hmmmmmmmmm, never heard of that Sea Foam stuff but it looks like our local Pep Boys may have it. The alternative is that knock sensor your talking about goes for about $72 at our local Autozone. Anyone tried either and had luck specifically to our Expedition?
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
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I have had good luck with Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner. When I first bought my 01 Navi with 100,000 miles on it sounded like a bad tap dance group. I ran the Techron for the first two tanks and it made an world of difference. I will be running it though at least bi monthly now.
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Originally Posted by MPDano
Ok, broke out the Haynes manual and opened the Expy hood. I can't seem to locate the Knock Sensor. Anyone know where this sensor is? The manual isn't specific enough on the V8 location.
Thanks,
Leo
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Postmaster
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From: SE Texas
Change the fuel pump. I had a persistent pinging problem with my '98 F150 as did a friend with his F150. They would ping under the lightest load-even with premium fuel. Tried everything....cleaned the MAF,changed the o2 sensors,plugs,checked for unmetered air leaks,new knock sensor,changed fuel filter....Nothing worked. Changed the fuel pump..problem went away immediately,and hasn't returned since. Friend did the same after I changed my fuel pump,and he had the same exact results-the pinging stopped.
JL
JL
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Originally Posted by Johnny Langton
Change the fuel pump. I had a persistent pinging problem with my '98 F150 as did a friend with his F150. They would ping under the lightest load-even with premium fuel. Tried everything....cleaned the MAF,changed the o2 sensors,plugs,checked for unmetered air leaks,new knock sensor,changed fuel filter....Nothing worked. Changed the fuel pump..problem went away immediately,and hasn't returned since. Friend did the same after I changed my fuel pump,and he had the same exact results-the pinging stopped.
JL
JL
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: SE Texas
Originally Posted by MPDano
Are they electric or mechanical on the F150? Location? It's got to be easier than the knock sensor under the intake.
Look for a 155-190lph aftermarket pump-the OEM pump is rated less than 100 lph,and with the tiny wiring that feeds it,I'm sure that's the reason for the problems with the OE pumps. Fuel flow falls off dramatically with voltage drop,and that small 16-18 gauge wire that they use on the OE harness is bad about choking the voltage to the pump down a few volts. The aftermarket pumps are typically much less expensive than the OE pumps are too. Walbro is one of the better brands to buy if you can find one.
JL
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Originally Posted by Johnny Langton
It's an electric located in the fuel tank.It's not a bad job-just drop the driveshaft out of the way,and lower the tank down to get the pump/sending unit out. I'd suggest the obvious..run it very low of fuel before you begin-it'll be alot easier.
Look for a 155-190lph aftermarket pump-the OEM pump is rated less than 100 lph,and with the tiny wiring that feeds it,I'm sure that's the reason for the problems with the OE pumps. Fuel flow falls off dramatically with voltage drop,and that small 16-18 gauge wire that they use on the OE harness is bad about choking the voltage to the pump down a few volts. The aftermarket pumps are typically much less expensive than the OE pumps are too. Walbro is one of the better brands to buy if you can find one.
JL
Look for a 155-190lph aftermarket pump-the OEM pump is rated less than 100 lph,and with the tiny wiring that feeds it,I'm sure that's the reason for the problems with the OE pumps. Fuel flow falls off dramatically with voltage drop,and that small 16-18 gauge wire that they use on the OE harness is bad about choking the voltage to the pump down a few volts. The aftermarket pumps are typically much less expensive than the OE pumps are too. Walbro is one of the better brands to buy if you can find one.
JL