Two issues on V-6; pinging under load with 91 octane and hesitating from idle (no load).

Heh...I knew someone was going to ask me that.

I got the fuel filter Tuesday and am borrowing a 9/16" flare-nut wrench from my boss today. I will likely change the filter tonight or tomorrow night.

If anything, it's good to have the separation as it will make it easier to see if and how much difference each change made.

BTW for anyone yet to change the filter on the V6, the fuel line connectors take 14 mm (or 9/16") and the fuel filter body takes 19 mm. The nuts that hold the filter to the truck are 10 mm. Same thing with the nuts that hold the lines to the truck.

After a week or so I am going to run a few bottles of fuel injector cleaner over the corresponding number of fill-ups. I didn't want to add that variable just yet plus the thought of sending that cleaning stuff through a filter with 140K on it didn't seem right.

 

I think the best feature of the MaxiDAS is being able to turn a 750i into a lowrider.



The shop i used to work at had a Autologic that could do the same thing. I had so much fun with that scanner.

 

I changed the filter today. Got some gas in my eye. "Always wear safety goggles". LOL

I did a fill-up and checked my MPG's old-school; actual MPG was 7% higher than the UG said so that was a relief. I'll see if that holds over the next few tanks.

I'll post some more diagnostic numbers (trim, MAF, etc.) next week after I've run with the new filter for a while.

Check out my clean dirty fuel filter. Not bad for 140K miles, huh? Gas that I poured out of it was very clean, BTW.
.

 

She's still running like a champ. Pings are rare and short-lived, even on 87 octane. Yesterday I took a hill in 5th gear that used to cause pings in 3rd gear & 4th gear on 91 octane, and it didn't ping. I also did a WOT throttle run from zero to about 80 and I can't say it was any faster, but it sure was super-smooth.

Fuel trim numbers are roughly the same as before I changed the fuel filter, which is why I haven't posted them. As far as I can tell, both long- and short-term trim numbers are always between -4 and +4. But I do look at the road once and a while.

This tank has a bottle of Techron in it which in the past has seemed to slightly improve driveability and the ability to make smooth shifts.

I really appreciate the help you guys provided and hope that the record of what was done here helps other members. IMHO, if you're running the original MAF sensor and having some sort of engine trouble and not throwing a code, for $72 it is a relatively cheap and very easy thing to try.

 

Well I guess I know what I need to do now! I'll try cleaning the MAF first, and swapping the fuel filter, and see what happens. Thank YOU for keeping us updated!

 

Here's the link for the Denso 197-6020 Mass Air Flow Sensor on Amazon:

$96 Denso 197-6020 Mass Air Flow Sensor, Regular

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J398Y8

$75.26 right now.

 

She's still running great. Manually calculating MPG's and re-calibrating the UltraGauge has netted a new calibration factor of 1.06. Old calibration factor (with old, semi-faulty MAF sensor) was 1.15.

The UltraGauge is once again showing 21 or so MPG on my commute to work.

 

Thanks for the followup, I cleaned my MAF and replaced the FF but I think I'm still getting a ping occasionally. I may replace the MAF and see what happens if the noise persists.

 

My truck & new MAF sensor have failed the acid test for pinging. Steep uphill, a/c on, engine fully warmed up, 90°F ambient temperature (yes it's been crazy warm here for February).

Ping ping ping ping...

 

After looking through this Its seems your ignition advance changes quite a bit. I haven't watched mine extensively but it never seems to change all that much

Pinging is usually a timing issue correct?

 

Damn I followed the same regimen. Both needed it anyways, but I think I'm still hearing a ping too.

 

Ping is going to be a timing problem. The computer isn't retarding or can't retard the igntion enough to eliminate it.

Spark Is firing to early (to much ignition advance) causing detonation.

I think.

 

For me it was still worth it as my hesitation problem was ridiculously frustrating. That problem is G-O-N-E.

The pinging sucks, but for now, I will just take that hill in third gear instead of fourth.

 

Not to dumb down this thread but what does pinging sound like exactly? is it a subtle sound?

 

Sounds like marbles in the cylinders. More common under load with higher engine and/or ambient temperatures.

 

You have to have the windows up and the radio down. Sounds like -clackity clackity clackity clackity-

 

Finally someone asked. Ha. I didn't know either... Jeesh that sounds horrible.

 

Lord knows how long mine has been doing it. I didn't notice until after I put a quiet exhaust back on. Anything louder like a magnaflow and you wouldn't be able to hear it

 

Or your performance exhaust reduced back pressure, which reduced combustion chamber temperatures, which stopped the pinging.

OK I'm just kidding but doesn't that sound like good marketing for aftermarket exhaust? Plus if it's loud, you can't prove them wrong.

 

Yay it's summer again and I can hear that clickity-clack in higher gears going uphill