• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

what is pinging?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chin
  • Start date Start date Jun 9, 2005

Chin

New Member
Nov 29, 2004
39
0
0
Naperville
Jun 9, 2005
#1
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #1
well i feel like a newbie asking this.. but what exactly is pinging and what are the symptoms?

hah i know a lot about cars so feel pretty stupid asking this..
 

illwood

Member
Apr 3, 2004
636
1
19
Worcester, MA
Jun 9, 2005
#2
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #2
pinging is pre-ignition

This is a condition where the air-fuel mixture in your engine ignites early and trys to reverse the direction of your engine. I believe the term "ping" comes from the noise that it makes.

Compression ratio, spark advance, fuel quality and quantity all play a role in causing or preventing pre-ignition.
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Jun 9, 2005
#3
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #3
illwood said:
pinging is pre-ignition

This is a condition where the air-fuel mixture in your engine ignites early and trys to reverse the direction of your engine. I believe the term "ping" comes from the noise that it makes.

Compression ratio, spark advance, fuel quality and quantity all play a role in causing or preventing pre-ignition.
Click to expand...

All of the above looks pretty good to me

Here is another way to think about the ping thing..................

Its an audible indicator telling you.....................

WARNING......LIFT RIGHT FOOT NOW

Later
Grady
 

94MustangGT5.0

New Member
Apr 30, 2003
288
0
0
Champaign, Illinois
Jun 9, 2005
#4
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #4
final5-0 said:
Its an audible indicator telling you.....................

WARNING......LIFT RIGHT FOOT NOW
Click to expand...
lol, nicely put.
 
S

stang_dan

Founding Member
Aug 27, 2001
172
0
0
new jersey/north caroline
Jun 9, 2005
#5
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #5
but you can also get a pining noise if your running to low of an octane correct im not sure y tho i think because the low octance runs kooler i dont know little help i just knew that running regular on a worked motor cuase it to ping on wot.
dan
 
S

stang_dan

Founding Member
Aug 27, 2001
172
0
0
new jersey/north caroline
Jun 9, 2005
#6
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #6
sorry for the double post but i went back read it slowly and i get it now i thought u guys where refuring to like preigintion when u shut the car off and it still runs but i was on the right track. the higher compression needs a higher octane otherwise it compustes too soon!!! right
dan
 

yellowstang1994

New Member
Sep 9, 2004
338
0
0
Jun 9, 2005
#7
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #7
Yea, it'll basically sound like a can of rocks being shaken up inside your engine, it's kind of hard to imagine but if you ever hear it you will know exactly what it is. A question I always wondered while we're here. What kind of damage can pinging cause? if any?
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Jun 9, 2005
#8
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #8
yellowstang1994 said:
Yea, it'll basically sound like a can of rocks being shaken up inside your engine, it's kind of hard to imagine but if you ever hear it you will know exactly what it is. A question I always wondered while we're here. What kind of damage can pinging cause? if any?
Click to expand...

Its the tops of your pistons getting beat all to hell

Later
Grady
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jun 9, 2005
#9
  • Jun 9, 2005
  • #9
pinging can be pre-ignition or detonation (they are different).

As the Gradster said, use your own piezos (ears) to monitor and tune accordingly. Higher octane is less volatile, ergo resists detonation [more than lesser octane, all else being equal].

when a car runs after being shut-off (generally carbed cars), that is often called dieseling.

(I toss out different terms should you choose to do an internet search).

Good luck.
 

pleasehelp

New Member
Mar 11, 2003
686
0
0
Poplar Grove, Il
Jun 10, 2005
#10
  • Jun 10, 2005
  • #10
ok, so what's detonation then? Thanks.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jun 10, 2005
#11
  • Jun 10, 2005
  • #11
pleasehelp said:
ok, so what's detonation then? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Very simply stated, all these terms are related and similar in nature in that they involve a spontaneous explosion of the mixture or part of the mixture.

An internet search will yield tons of information - much more than any of us would want to type out. It is an interesting dynamic in that detonation causes a snow-ball effect.
I am not eloquent enough to accurately describe it all. It is just easier to read a few articles about it, IMHO.
 

yellowstang1994

New Member
Sep 9, 2004
338
0
0
Jun 11, 2005
#12
  • Jun 11, 2005
  • #12
final5-0 said:
Its the tops of your pistons getting beat all to hell

Later
Grady
Click to expand...

That sucks pretty bad! My car has been pinging for a little while now. Once in a while and now really bad in hot weather. I need to figure out whats the culprit.
 
B

bimmertech

New Member
May 3, 2005
1,123
0
0
merriam, ks
Jun 11, 2005
#13
  • Jun 11, 2005
  • #13
pre-ignition is usually a knocking noise and is caused by, well pre-ignition. the pinging noise you are reffering to is caused by detonation which is caused during flame propegation of the ignition cycle. the noise is created by two or more uncontroled flame fronts colliding and moving the piston side to side in the bore.
 
J

JRPony

New Member
Jun 10, 2005
83
0
0
Las Vegas, NV
Jun 11, 2005
#14
  • Jun 11, 2005
  • #14
Well, I will attempt to explain the difference. The primary difference between pre-ignition and detonation is when they occur. Pre-ignition occurs prior to the regular spark and is generally caused by a red hot piece of carbon or metal in the combustion chamber. This is very commonly caused by red hot edges of the exhaust valve.
Detonation occurs after regular ignition has taken place and is generally caused by over advanced timing, too low of octane or excessive combustion heat. The piston compresses the intake charge, raising cylinder pressure. The spark plug is lit and combustion begins. The cylinder pressures rises even more and at this point the unburnt portion of the fuel charge will be unable to handle the pressure and a second flame front is ignited. This flame front is much faster and more violent then the regular flame and this is what causes the damage.
 

18mustangs

New Member
Jun 8, 2005
533
1
0
Virginia Beach, VA
Jun 11, 2005
#15
  • Jun 11, 2005
  • #15
yellowstang1994 said:
question I always wondered while we're here. What kind of damage can pinging cause? if any?
Click to expand...
In addition to what Grady said, it can damage your piston rings causing excessive oil consumption.
Tim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Forced Induction On3 Turbo Kit- Parts list NEEDED - 302 Stock Motor
  • Hirothecool1
  • Feb 27, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
859
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 7, 2026
slow84lx
S
P
2000 GT Random Power Loss
  • Pinellas50
  • Mar 9, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
234
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 23, 2026
Pinellas50
P
J
Intake replace help
  • jshyuw7
  • Jun 19, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
96
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 19, 2025
Noobz347
L
95 gt engine vibration
  • lenzgt
  • May 11, 2026
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
6
Views
133
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech May 26, 2026
lenzgt
L
G
Crazy fuel issue lifting fuel rails
  • greenhornponyguy
  • Oct 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
309
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 18, 2026
bmmckl
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?