Pinging
- Thread starter rich8566
- Start date
There was a good discussion on this topic on one of the forums recently - but can't remember which one. As I recall, they said the GT is tuned to run lean, so momentary ping after shifting is normal, and the anti-knock sensor should compensate. One guy said a Ford engineer told him absolutely not to run premium fuel to solve the problem, but other folks said they've done so on similar Ford engines without any problems. Changing brands of gas might help - although retuning is probably the best solution.
Mr_Q
Founding Member
The only gas I have ever gotten consistant performance from is 76's 91 octane. At least here in SOCAL.
So I always suggest them.
So I always suggest them.
I always run 93 at only Chevron and Shell (because of their added additives in teh premium fuels) without a problem. No ping here. If you read the manual it says to run 87 in the car and that pinging's noise could occur while running 87 but this is not an issue.
Mark25
Member
I'm experiencing the same thing (light pinging when accelerating from 50MPH to 65 or 70)...I thought maybe it had to do with the fact that just about every gas station in this area is using 10% ethanol in its mix. I may try going with mid-grade next tank and see if that helps...I think Ford wanted to sell the GT with idea that regular gas could be used in it (it's a harder sell when it requires premium)...I figure for the few extra cents per dollar it would cost I wouldn't mind putting in premium if it would get rid of that annoying light pinging.
The pinging is light, but it's still there and it's pre-detonation and that's not good for your engine no matter what the owner's manual says!
The pinging is light, but it's still there and it's pre-detonation and that's not good for your engine no matter what the owner's manual says!
I doubt it is a BRAND thing, maybe a BATCH though. I had a tank of gas ping on me last summer, I filled up from another station after it was down to ~25% full and it stopped. The station I had the issue with was a reputable brand and one I've used for years. I went back recently and filled again (yeah I was a little nervous) and the problem was not there this time.
I heard elsewhere that their underground tanks might have been low which caused some condensation of water in the fuel. I don't claim that as fact, just sharing the thoughts.
I heard elsewhere that their underground tanks might have been low which caused some condensation of water in the fuel. I don't claim that as fact, just sharing the thoughts.
Mark25
Member
Edbert, you may be right...it could be a bad batch...so I may end up letting it get down (to about a quarter full) and then filling up with a fresh batch and see what happens...if it does continue, I will switch to mid-grade.
CBus 06 GT
Active Member
Here are my thoughts. I've seen (and I'm sure a lot of you have as well) dyno tests showing that 89 is good for 3-5 HP over 87 and that anything over 89 doesn't do anything unless you have a tune. What does this tell us? IMHO, it means that our motors do like 89 and that while Ford says 87 is OK, the computer is pulling back some timing to ease up on pre-ignition and that the knock sensor truely is needed for 87 not to harm our motors. Therefore, I will not run 87 in my car and I feel the the $.10/gal premium for 89 is money well spent.
Mark25
Member
Cbus, I agree with your analysis...I will give it one more try on Shell 87.
In Southeast Virginia, probably like the rest of the country, we've gone from it being very warm to very cold quickly, several times...which, of course, causes a lot more condensation...so there is that possibility that my tank might have more water in it than usual...and therefore the gas is no longer really 87 octane -- that is it's been slightly diluted...but if a new tank of it doesn't solve the problem, then I will switch over to mid-grade (89 octane). Again, the pinging only occurs at when accelerating at highway speeds and partial throttle (i.e. giving the gas to jump from 55MPH up to 70-75MPH)...I haven't really heard it on wide open throttle (of course the exhaust sound could be covering it up).
In Southeast Virginia, probably like the rest of the country, we've gone from it being very warm to very cold quickly, several times...which, of course, causes a lot more condensation...so there is that possibility that my tank might have more water in it than usual...and therefore the gas is no longer really 87 octane -- that is it's been slightly diluted...but if a new tank of it doesn't solve the problem, then I will switch over to mid-grade (89 octane). Again, the pinging only occurs at when accelerating at highway speeds and partial throttle (i.e. giving the gas to jump from 55MPH up to 70-75MPH)...I haven't really heard it on wide open throttle (of course the exhaust sound could be covering it up).
I changed to 89 octane (Exxon) about 6 months ago and the pinging is gone. No other problems either...
Mark25
Member
Rich,
I'm beginning to think that Ford really messed this one up...didn't the 2003-04 Mach 1 with the 305HP 4.6L run on premium? It's strange that they really wanted to push this 87 Octane on an engine that's supposed to be a high-perforance engine. I guess they thought they would scare off a bunch of GT buyers stating that it would be better to run on premium (like most other performance cars that require premium). It may be tuned to run on 87 octane, but sure seems like they are stretching it and that's probably why a lot of GT owners are experiencing the "pinging." I mean for Ford to state in the owner's manual that it's "normal" to have some knocking, etc., is clearly ridiculous!
I'm beginning to think that Ford really messed this one up...didn't the 2003-04 Mach 1 with the 305HP 4.6L run on premium? It's strange that they really wanted to push this 87 Octane on an engine that's supposed to be a high-perforance engine. I guess they thought they would scare off a bunch of GT buyers stating that it would be better to run on premium (like most other performance cars that require premium). It may be tuned to run on 87 octane, but sure seems like they are stretching it and that's probably why a lot of GT owners are experiencing the "pinging." I mean for Ford to state in the owner's manual that it's "normal" to have some knocking, etc., is clearly ridiculous!
The S197's ECM is programmed to feed a rich A/F ratio at WOT. This helps to keep the combustion temperatures cool in the cylinders, and works in conjunction with the knock sensors to prevent pinging when using 87 octane fuel.
However, this engine is susceptible to carbon build up on the valves, pistons, and spark plugs if it is run conservatively all of the time. The areas where carbon builds up causes hot spots, which in turn can cause pinging.
A possible quick fix for a stock tuned engine is to change the plugs. If that does not work, then running higher octane gas is the next option. An engine with a modified tune can also have its timing retarded a few degrees to help stop pinging.
However, this engine is susceptible to carbon build up on the valves, pistons, and spark plugs if it is run conservatively all of the time. The areas where carbon builds up causes hot spots, which in turn can cause pinging.
A possible quick fix for a stock tuned engine is to change the plugs. If that does not work, then running higher octane gas is the next option. An engine with a modified tune can also have its timing retarded a few degrees to help stop pinging.
Mark25
Member
ski,
I hear you...but then again I only ran her a bit conservative the first 1,000 miles (break-in) and now I'm almost up to 4,000 on the ODO and I can assure you that I've had her at WOT a few times to ensure I'm "cleaning the carbon out."
I hear you...but then again I only ran her a bit conservative the first 1,000 miles (break-in) and now I'm almost up to 4,000 on the ODO and I can assure you that I've had her at WOT a few times to ensure I'm "cleaning the carbon out."
+1ski,
I hear you...but then again I only ran her a bit conservative the first 1,000 miles (break-in) and now I'm almost up to 4,000 on the ODO and I can assure you that I've had her at WOT a few times to ensure I'm "cleaning the carbon out."
The only pinging problem I've had with my S197, which has an aftermarket CAI and a 93 octane tune installed, happened a year and a half ago while out of town. I filled up with gas that was labeled 93 octane, but apparently it was not. So I retarded the timing, ran it until the tank was almost empty, refilled at my regular spot, and the pinging disappeared.
my 05 stick ran really rich with the stock tune and even did with the 87, 91and 93 breensspeed tunes. it never really seemed to have the power as some here had. now ive installed a saleen s/c and the car is running like gangbusters with the SCT PRP package tune on 93 octane.
now my wifes 06 auto is running fine with the stock tune on 87 octane. her car is a beast and stock for stock would kick my car a new a-hole, unless i retuned with the PRP.
there has to be different tunes that ford is giving out at the factory depending on the pcm.
now my wifes 06 auto is running fine with the stock tune on 87 octane. her car is a beast and stock for stock would kick my car a new a-hole, unless i retuned with the PRP.
there has to be different tunes that ford is giving out at the factory depending on the pcm.
red_vert_01
New Member
No pinging problems (yet) with my 06 GT, but I only have 6K miles. I have never owned a V8 Ford that was supposed to run on regular that didn't eventually creep up in octane requirements over time. As someone mentioned earlier, a lot of that is related to carbon build up and the fact that Ford has it tuned to the edge for regular gas. My previous Stang, an 01 Cobra, required premium, but not even that would make it happy. It pinged no matter what unless you added an octance booster on top of premium gas. My recommendation would be just to run 89 octane in your GT and hope that one day you don't have to move up to premium (with the stock tune). That is probably what I will do when my eventually starts pinging.
Mark25
Member
Okay, I added about 3 gallons of 87 octane Shell (to the existing 3 gallons in the tank) and sure enough...I noticed some pinging (on hard acceleration) this morning into work. I will be switching over to 89 Octane and see what happens.
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