94 Sport is pinging --> Knock sensor questions

[srvblues00]

I recently got a 94 Sport, and it is pinging fairly bad in 4th and 5th gear over about 55 when i give it gas, or when going up hills. i just put in some bosch platinum plugs and new plug wires, and that helped a good bit, but it's still pinging. i'm about afraid to give it much gas when going up hills, etc. I really don't want to damage my pistons. anyway, tonight i was thinking about what else it could be. i suppose it would have a knock sensor, right? is it possible that the KS is bad or going bad? is there a way to test this? I hate to go buy one since they are like $55 at napa, but I don't mind getting one if that will solve the problem. also, I am trying to run 87 octane. i'm in college, money's a bit tight at times, so i don't want it to get used to 89 or 93 octane. oh yeah, where is the knock sensor physically located on the engine?

any other suggestions on what to try to fix this? the check engine light hasn't come on, so I don't think there are any codes regarding this issue.

thanks!

 

[Jason_25]

Hey another NC explorer...cool.

Ok here's the thing, the 4.0 OHV on your truck has no knock sensor, so the computer doesn't really "sense" if it's knocking or not. Another thing, you should NEVER have to run anything higher than 87 on a stock engine. I think cleaning your MAF sensor will do the trick. Do a search on it. It's easy enough. Good luck!

 

[srvblues00]

sweet, thanks for the quick reply.

i was also wondering if this is possibly a sign of a fuel pump starting to go?

i'll definately check into cleaning the MAF, thanks!

 

[Jason_25]

Well an easy way to check and see if the pump is going is to see how long it takes to start the truck. It should only take a couple seconds. If it sits there and cranks it's a pretty good sign that you've got a bad pump and/or a dirty filter.

 

[srvblues00]

well i guess it's ok then.. after i stuck a new battery in there last weekend, it's firing right up without any hesitation. cool.. thx

 

[gt_stang88]

Hey heres somethings to check
-Is your engine overheating
-EGR Valve working
-Check for vacuum leaks

hope this helps

 

[srvblues00]

engine heat seems to be fine. the highest i've seen it is about 1/2 way, or in the middle of the gauge, and that was on a 2.5 hour road trip back to school.

how do i check the EGR valve to determine if it's operating correctly or not?