Pinging
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From: Madison, AL
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Pinging
On a recent trip to Flagstaff, I was ascending to about 4000' from sea level. The engine was pinging badly in 4th gear (automatic). I downshifted to 3rd and the higher RPM helped, but did not eliminate the pinging.
The highest octane gas available here is 91, which is what I always use. I use either Chevron or Texaco, name-brand gasoline.
What is causing this and how can I eliminate it?
The highest octane gas available here is 91, which is what I always use. I use either Chevron or Texaco, name-brand gasoline.
What is causing this and how can I eliminate it?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,338
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From: Fontana CA
Re: Pinging (ShanMan14)
I am not sure i have a solution for you, but I share your misery. My ’01 coupe (MN6) has had the same problem ever since 92 was replaced by 91 here in the south west US. I know that GM has a ECM prorgam update to help the ’01 LS1 but I don not know about ‘98s. You could have your dealer look into it.
As a side note there is possibility that oil companies could go back to 92 octane if they get enough feed back. The reason for the switch was that Unocal held a patent on an important component of the formula. The other oil companies found they could avoid the royalties they were having to pay Unocal by shifting the formula to 91 (or 93, but 91 was cheaper). Now that gasoline formulas are changing again to eliminate MTBE there is a chance that the Unocal patent will not apply. 92 will cost a bit more to produce than 91 but with enough pressure from the public it could happen.
As a side note there is possibility that oil companies could go back to 92 octane if they get enough feed back. The reason for the switch was that Unocal held a patent on an important component of the formula. The other oil companies found they could avoid the royalties they were having to pay Unocal by shifting the formula to 91 (or 93, but 91 was cheaper). Now that gasoline formulas are changing again to eliminate MTBE there is a chance that the Unocal patent will not apply. 92 will cost a bit more to produce than 91 but with enough pressure from the public it could happen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: I just killed your thread Redneck AZ
Re: Pinging (ShanMan14)
ShanMan14
I to get pinging. Last place I gased was Texco and my pinging got worse. :(
I usually gas at a no name station in town and have had good luck with their gas(only get light pinging). I think we are SOL. I'm planning on installing a 172 degree t-state to hopefully help with the problem. If you want to up the octane in your current fuel, you can add toluene which is available at paint stores. I've got a gallon that I am going to through in the Vette to see what it does. Follow this link for ratios:
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/gasoline-octane.html
I've used it in my supercharge toyota tacoma. Helped a lot. But I ended up installing a timing control box from split second to eliminate all of my pinging in the taco.
Later, Keith in AZ
:flag
[Modified by knkayotte, 7:24 PM 9/25/2002]
I to get pinging. Last place I gased was Texco and my pinging got worse. :(
I usually gas at a no name station in town and have had good luck with their gas(only get light pinging). I think we are SOL. I'm planning on installing a 172 degree t-state to hopefully help with the problem. If you want to up the octane in your current fuel, you can add toluene which is available at paint stores. I've got a gallon that I am going to through in the Vette to see what it does. Follow this link for ratios:
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/gasoline-octane.html
I've used it in my supercharge toyota tacoma. Helped a lot. But I ended up installing a timing control box from split second to eliminate all of my pinging in the taco.
Later, Keith in AZ
:flag
[Modified by knkayotte, 7:24 PM 9/25/2002]
