noise when towing
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 82
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From: Louisiana
noise when towing
I recently bought a 98 extended cab F-150 with the 4.6 V8, auto, 3.55 rear end and full towing package to haul my 82 F-150 SWB 4X4 race truck on a 16' car hauler, it does ok pulling the truck until I get to a bought 45-50 MPH then I hear a pinging-tapping noise. I’m not towing in overdrive and yes the truck is a little on the small side for the job but according to the owners manual it’s rated for 7000# towing capacity. I figure the race truck and trailer weight combined is a bought 6000#, I’ve never weighed it to find out for sure..
I’ve been told it could be the low octane fuel causing the noise but I’ve also been told not to run the high octane fuel in my truck.
Is either true and could this be causing damage to the engine? If so how can I fix it?
Thanks for any help you can give.
I’ve been told it could be the low octane fuel causing the noise but I’ve also been told not to run the high octane fuel in my truck.
Is either true and could this be causing damage to the engine? If so how can I fix it?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
noise when towing
Hmm your engine might be a tad small for the load you are carrying, Check your manual etc.
You are perfectly alright to run premium. Most people say you don't NEED to run premium since most engines do just fine with regular. But if you are getting pinging, switch to premium or that mid grade and see if the problem goes away. Premium will not hurt your engine, it just may be a waste of money if you don;t need it.
Why do you think the oil companies make all those adds saying "give your car a treat with premium"? They certainly would not do it if it hurt due to liability. But they know it doesn't hurt and they get an extra 20 cents or so per gallon, sweet for them.
My 94F250 460 runs great on regular, but if I tow especially in hot weather or hills it will ping. So I use premuium or mid grade when I need to.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
You are perfectly alright to run premium. Most people say you don't NEED to run premium since most engines do just fine with regular. But if you are getting pinging, switch to premium or that mid grade and see if the problem goes away. Premium will not hurt your engine, it just may be a waste of money if you don;t need it.
Why do you think the oil companies make all those adds saying "give your car a treat with premium"? They certainly would not do it if it hurt due to liability. But they know it doesn't hurt and they get an extra 20 cents or so per gallon, sweet for them.
My 94F250 460 runs great on regular, but if I tow especially in hot weather or hills it will ping. So I use premuium or mid grade when I need to.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
noise when towing
I agree with Jim 110% on the fuel grade recommendations.
I hope just moving up to mid grade will eliminate the pinging. If it doesn't, you may want to talk to your Ford service about it. Reason I say that is, ignition timing is supposed to advance with higher engine speed. But at WOT or low manifold vacuum the computer is supposed to retard the timing to prevent ping while climbing hills or towing.
Scott
I hope just moving up to mid grade will eliminate the pinging. If it doesn't, you may want to talk to your Ford service about it. Reason I say that is, ignition timing is supposed to advance with higher engine speed. But at WOT or low manifold vacuum the computer is supposed to retard the timing to prevent ping while climbing hills or towing.
Scott
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
noise when towing
Pinging (preignition, dieseling, knocking, detonation) hurts the engine. ...a LOT! 
If it takes expensive gas to make it quit, it'll still be cheaper than replacing the engine when you burn thru a piston or overheat it.
If it takes expensive gas to make it quit, it'll still be cheaper than replacing the engine when you burn thru a piston or overheat it.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
noise when towing
Thanks guys, the way I understand this is if the higher-octane fuel stops the pinging then it wont cause any damage to the engine other than being under more load than normal driving.
