This can't be true???

[duketter]

Ok, I have a '99 Explorer 4X4 with the ohv engine? Whatever the smaller 4.0 liter engine is anyways. Ok, I bought this used with 19,000 miles on it last year, BUT LUCKILY I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY!! I have had tons of problems with this thing. First off, had to replace the tranny with only 21,000 miles on it, had to replace rear windshield wiper motor, a couple sensors, some fuel sender items, and other misc. stuff and now I have an engine ping. I took it to the dealership and they were nice about it but say Ford says this is normal. NORMAL???? I pay that much for a vehicle and engine pinging is normal? Doesn't make sense to me? What do you all think.

I have done some searches on it but what do you all think? I hear the pinging when I am going down the interstate when I push on the accelerator. Going up hills is when I hear it the most, basically when there is a load on it.

 

[MyExpWork]

What grade of gas are you using?? I don't know if they made the 4.0 L OHV after 96-97 but I could be wrong.

But I would certanly say that if you are using the a good gasoline you shouldn't get any pinging.

Brian

 

[duketter]

I am using our regular unleaded at 87 octane. They mentioned too that I could try that and see what happens to upgrade to a higher octane....they also mentioned this might make the pinging worse too though. I just thought when I bought the vehicle it doesn't say I have to put premium fuel in it. I guess I am just in a bad mood with this thing. Taking out some frustrations! Gas prices are high enough the way it is.

 

[Doug]

I'd try running i higher octane fuel in it and seeing if that makes it go away. Also I'd try running some fuel system cleaner that might help. If that doesnt make it go away one of the sensors might be messed up and you might want to try having the codes read and see if it comes up with anything. I have a 97 sport with 118k miles on it and the engine runs pretty good, i have a slight tick but nothing serious. the 4.0 ohv motor is a great motor you can run those things forever.

 

[Jason_25]

I would suggest not running anything higher than 87 gas. There is absolutely no reason you should have to run premium to curb pinging on such a new vehicle. Also, running premium fuel can lead to carbon build-up and potentially worse pinging over time. I suggest you try to clean the MAF first. It has been known to cause lean-running problems as it gets dirty.

Sorry to hear about your other issues. They are not common problems at that mileage.

 

[dogfriend]

Its only normal in the sense that there is a TSB on it, so it is a known problem with the 4.0 OHV. I posted the TSB in this thread pinging