Pinging?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 21
Pinging?
My wife's early 16' C7 is making a sound. To me it sounds like bad gas. But she has changed the gas several times. (Always premium)
The sound comes in when your cruising around 45-60 and you hit a slight hill in a high gear. My wife thinks that it only started after she had the torque converter replaced last year. (A8) The new TC fixed allot of issues, but not sure if this related. We just got the car back from the dealer for tires, this and other sounds. They told us the sound is normal lifter sound.
Unrelated sound, cracking sound from roof panel. They said they lubed the roof. Can't tell a differnce. Any suggestions?
The sound comes in when your cruising around 45-60 and you hit a slight hill in a high gear. My wife thinks that it only started after she had the torque converter replaced last year. (A8) The new TC fixed allot of issues, but not sure if this related. We just got the car back from the dealer for tires, this and other sounds. They told us the sound is normal lifter sound.
Unrelated sound, cracking sound from roof panel. They said they lubed the roof. Can't tell a differnce. Any suggestions?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
The sound comes in when your cruising around 45-60 and you hit a slight hill in a high gear.
I don't know what it is but you can safely rule out pinging and bad gas.
I don't know what it is but you can safely rule out pinging and bad gas.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,224
Likes: 4,345
From: Chirper Island
Yep, I guessed I missed the part where the dealer said it was normal. 
Not sure why you're still questioning the sound, then. And then you want guesses from here?
If you want a guess: If it sounds like a sewing machine, it is normal.
Or if you still don't think it is normal, take it to another dealer.
You might get another answer from them.
Not sure why you're still questioning the sound, then. And then you want guesses from here?
If you want a guess: If it sounds like a sewing machine, it is normal.
Or if you still don't think it is normal, take it to another dealer.
You might get another answer from them.
Last edited by owc6; Feb 1, 2018 at 11:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
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My best guess is that it's the fuel injector "pinging" sound, which has been described as similar to a sewing machine sound. I seriously doubt that it's the old-school "pinging" from preignition or detonation in the cylinders.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 226
Likes: 79
From: Boise, Id
My wife's early 16' C7 is making a sound. To me it sounds like bad gas. But she has changed the gas several times. (Always premium)
The sound comes in when your cruising around 45-60 and you hit a slight hill in a high gear. My wife thinks that it only started after she had the torque converter replaced last year. (A8) The new TC fixed allot of issues, but not sure if this related. We just got the car back from the dealer for tires, this and other sounds. They told us the sound is normal lifter sound.
Unrelated sound, cracking sound from roof panel. They said they lubed the roof. Can't tell a differnce. Any suggestions?
The sound comes in when your cruising around 45-60 and you hit a slight hill in a high gear. My wife thinks that it only started after she had the torque converter replaced last year. (A8) The new TC fixed allot of issues, but not sure if this related. We just got the car back from the dealer for tires, this and other sounds. They told us the sound is normal lifter sound.
Unrelated sound, cracking sound from roof panel. They said they lubed the roof. Can't tell a differnce. Any suggestions?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 381
Likes: 54
From: Poland Ohio
If your prognosis is guessing what it may be, move on to another dealer,set your appt. that you want to speak to Vette Tech, tell him what issues are happening and he needs to go for a cruise (ride) with you and have him hear/feel what the issues are. Good Luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 21
It does. But my wife does not manual shift. I'm wondering if the tranny can be programmed to stay in a lower gear. Has anyone heard of this?
I will have to do some research on this. Thanks.
I will have to do some research on this. Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
A lot of engines are programmed to stay right on the ragged edge of detonation in a number of driving situations so I wouldn't be surprised if she is getting some slight ignition ping. I noticed that my 2014 ATS (3.6 direct injection) would do this at moderate speed on moderate grades because the transmission is programmed to shift to the highest range possible for best fuel economy and this can put the engine in a near lugging situation.
True heavy knock will create an immediate reaction by the ECM to deal with it but this light "spark knock" she is experiencing may not be considered significant enough to result in timing retard. In the few situations that caused the problem with my ATS I just downshift it manually, I have never noticed this with my 2016 Z06 but it gets nothing but 93 octane except for a couple of tanks of 91 just before winter storage since that is the highest grade ethanol free in my area.
True heavy knock will create an immediate reaction by the ECM to deal with it but this light "spark knock" she is experiencing may not be considered significant enough to result in timing retard. In the few situations that caused the problem with my ATS I just downshift it manually, I have never noticed this with my 2016 Z06 but it gets nothing but 93 octane except for a couple of tanks of 91 just before winter storage since that is the highest grade ethanol free in my area.