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

^ I forget, are you running premium fuel?

 

Nope, I'm going to on the next tank. I've got about 1/2 tank of 89 right now.

 

OK. I'm on my second tank of 87. An occasional ping, but nothing horrible.

The weather has still not been that hot here so I'm still only cautiously optimistic.

 

Pulled EFI fuse overnight. Cranked it this morning... Ping wasn't there for about 5 minutes of driving. Then it came back.

Is there a knock sensor somewhere that isn't doing its job?

 

you would get a code if the knock sensor wasn't doing it's thing.

 

First thing is to replace the fuel filter under the cab if you haven't done that in awhile. If the filter is plugged up
just a little the engine won't be getting enough to gas. Cheap easy fix
Doesn't matter if you are running 91 octane or 88 octane, if plugged it will knock

 

I did that last year because I needed to do it anyways. It didn't help.

My injectors have never been serviced other than the occasional Techron dose... But I need to get a scan gauge to get fuel readings.

I'm gonna remove my plugs and wipe off the anti sieze.. Apparently that stuff makes the plug run hotter. I just found out about that recently

 

Ok then the next step I would go is have the injectors checked out. Knocking is usually
From not enough fuel unless you have bad gas or have the fuel pressure checked.
There is a fuel filter in the tank and if the fuel pump is not working correctly maybe there's
a problem there.

 

I have read that anti-sieze on plugs will cause pinging... So I'm gonna try removing that from the threads first since it's the easiest and cheapest next step

 

Ok then it's one of those items listed I'm sure.
I have 3.4, superchagerd, running at 6000 feet in Denver, have 2004 DESNO injectors, they are larger and much better design, 2.1 smaller pulley, on 91 octane, zero ping issues,

 

Cleaned the anti-sieze residue off the plug threads... Didn't really feel like trying to clean the head threads today.

What do you guys think of this plug appearance?

 

Looks clean. How many miles?

 

I'd say maybe 15-20k.

 

To my non-professional eyes, they look fine.

 

Plugs look like they're burning just fine in my opinion.

 

Well I put a half tank of 93 in tonight. Air temp was too cool to know if it helped or not. Will have to wait till morning.

Maybe I'm worrying too much since the plugs look OK.

 

I'm on my third or fourth tank of 87 octane and obviously my truck is determined to figure out how to ping with the lower engine temperature.

It's still not as bad as it was, but give it a few more tanks and it just might be.

Based on my years of experience with this issue, it feels like the computer says 'the knock sensor hasn't detected a ping in a long time. The timing must not be advanced enough. Advance the timing!!!!!". Only when it pings WAY too often will it back it off.

 

Yeah, I put a tank of 87 in and the pinging is back. I'm going to close up the gaps on my plugs to .035 and see what happens lol. Apparently a bigger spark didn't help, so maybe a smaller spark with a cooler plug temperature will be the answer. My last option before I get the timing belt, valves, and injectors serviced

 

what do your fuel trims say?