Audible Ping
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Forney Texas
Audible Ping
Hello everyone,
I wanted see what the general consensus is on this -
Corvette: 1995 LT1 Auto 83K (had minor tune up recently: new wires, plugs, TB cleaned)
During heavy acceleration I can occasionally hear an audible ping from the engine. It does not happen all the time but will atleast happen once every time I drive it, which is about 1-2 times a month.
It only happens during heavy acceleration (half throttle or more). Never happens when rev'd in park. Sometimes I can punch it and there is nothing and then the next time I go half-throttle or more I can hear it.
Now I live in Dallas and all of our gas stations have a min of 10-15% ethanol and I know our motors are not to fond of the stuff. Would this be the issue or something more serious.
I have been living with this for about 4 months and as far as I am concerned the car drives great, with no hesitation or erratic idle.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I wanted see what the general consensus is on this -
Corvette: 1995 LT1 Auto 83K (had minor tune up recently: new wires, plugs, TB cleaned)
During heavy acceleration I can occasionally hear an audible ping from the engine. It does not happen all the time but will atleast happen once every time I drive it, which is about 1-2 times a month.
It only happens during heavy acceleration (half throttle or more). Never happens when rev'd in park. Sometimes I can punch it and there is nothing and then the next time I go half-throttle or more I can hear it.
Now I live in Dallas and all of our gas stations have a min of 10-15% ethanol and I know our motors are not to fond of the stuff. Would this be the issue or something more serious.
I have been living with this for about 4 months and as far as I am concerned the car drives great, with no hesitation or erratic idle.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Cape May Court House New Jersey
Mike,
There are several things that can cause pinging.
Timing too far advanced, running too hot, carbon build-up on the tops of the pistons and too low an octain fuel are the most common.
So, the easiest thing is to make sure you are using a good quality premium fuel.
Check the timing and retard it just slightly since your ping is so intermittent.
Make sure your temp is within an acceptable range.
Then there are numerous ways to de-carbonize, either chemicals like through a Carbon Clean machine or dissasemble and scrape it off.
I would think that makng sure your fuel is high octain, maybe even use an octain booster, and back the timing off just a tad should cure your ping.
Dave B.
There are several things that can cause pinging.
Timing too far advanced, running too hot, carbon build-up on the tops of the pistons and too low an octain fuel are the most common.
So, the easiest thing is to make sure you are using a good quality premium fuel.
Check the timing and retard it just slightly since your ping is so intermittent.
Make sure your temp is within an acceptable range.
Then there are numerous ways to de-carbonize, either chemicals like through a Carbon Clean machine or dissasemble and scrape it off.
I would think that makng sure your fuel is high octain, maybe even use an octain booster, and back the timing off just a tad should cure your ping.
Dave B.
Suckin' gas, haulin' ass.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
From: Newport News Virginia
Run some Seafoam through one of the vacuum lines. It's probably carbon buildup in the engine. Don't retard the timing unless you have advanced it or the PO could have. The knock sensor should be telling the PCM retarding timing if it's spark knock, if functioning correctly.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
cheap wires will cause it...poor spark voltage to the plug...
bad gas, cheap gas.
old gas.
carbon, gummed up intake system from prolonged storage.
SeaFoam is a great product that often solves these problems. At the end of the day its usually fuel related. These alcohol fuels just don;t store well and loose [potency fast.
bad gas, cheap gas.
old gas.
carbon, gummed up intake system from prolonged storage.
SeaFoam is a great product that often solves these problems. At the end of the day its usually fuel related. These alcohol fuels just don;t store well and loose [potency fast.
