'02 V6- pinging on grades- 97k on motor

[BajaXplorer]

I have a a stock 02 v6 Explorer (has catback) with 97k on it. Normal tune ups. Plugs were swapped out at 77k, air filter in August 09, fuel pump I did at 93k in July of 09. Serp belt doen last month.

Lately (like in last month) Ive noticed on the way to my girlfriends there is about a 5 mile grade I go up, and the poor X pings pretty bad.

Any ideas on where to start? My pops says run a few tanks of Chevron thru it, Its possible with all the oxygentated fuel in So. Cal in winter? crap gas from Exxon or AM/PM?

I dont know. intake leak? hole in hose?

Would the PCM update noted above in the stickies possibly help?

If anyone has any ideas on where to check or what to try, Im all ears.

thanks,
Doug

 

[jasongt06]

PCM Update may help but the problem is likely some carbon buildup on the pistons raising the compression slightly. You could try running some Chevron Techron or Gumout Regane Fuel Injector Cleaner.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

I would say start with replacing the fuel filter, then run some fuel stabilizer through it along with a quality additive like Techron (the stuff in a bottle, not the gas from Chevron), and then go from there. Start with simple and relatively cheap things to establish a baseline which can then be used to narrow down the cause of your troubles. Good luck.

Tom

 

[BajaXplorer]

Ok so I still have this after running two bottles of SeaFoam thru this motor-

Any other ideas? seems the same, no change.. there cant be that much carbon in the motor..


Im now at 101k miles on motor


thanks

 

[11lariat]

Have you tried cleaning the MAF sensor? Mine pings pretty bad when it's dirty, might be something for you to look at as well.

 

[BajaXplorer]

Have you tried cleaning the MAF sensor? Mine pings pretty bad when it's dirty, might be something for you to look at as well.

yep its spotless...

thanks

 

[rhauf]

test you're EGR valve if it has one.. i know a plugged up EGR will sometimes result in pinging (from higher combustion temperature).

also be sure the exhaust isn't clogged. you can test for this with a vac gauge: connect it to manifold vacuum, then rev the engine to about 4500rpm (or close to red line) when you let you're finger off the Throttle body lever (rpm dropping to idle) the vac level should immediately jump up. if there is a delay or it comes up slowly, exhaust is plugged.

or just run higher octane fuel. i run premium in my '93 when towing because it'll ping a little if i don't.