Let’s talk about ping. Again.

Thread stared out trying to identify a tic on my 04 at idle and all RPS and turned into a TRD S/C thread.



Original post below.


So there seems to be a good amount of information about engine ping out there. It’s just not always agreed on how bad it actually is. I’ve seen threads on here where people have accepted some degree of ping and run higher octane fuel. I’ve seen posts on here and other forums where dealers have told people some degree of ping is normal. I’ve also seen threads where it’s almost universally agreed that any ping is totally unacceptable and it will destroy an engine. It’s confusing the shit out of me.

One thing I’ve noticed with my new to me 04 3.4L is that on acceleration I get a consistent and faint click or tap. Its almost like a very faint ol baseball card in the bike wheel trick. It also happens to be one of a few new noises I get on this truck and not my old one. I guess every engine has its own distinct differences? I did not have this noise at all on my 3.4L 02. In fact the sound that I heard for years linked here was Ping. I never did anything about it because it never gave me problems. And so far, after at least 5 years it hasn’t blown up.

I didn’t notice this consistent tap or click until I oiled the K&N exactly as directed by K&N. But then again I didn’t drive it that long before I did this. I was also very careful to wipe off any excess oil from the rubber gasket. I suppose it could still be the MAF? Even though K&N swears up and down that oil as never ruined a MAF....Another thing to note is that it seemed to get quieter on higher octane. But I need to drop back down to confirm this. One more thing I know I need to do is the plugs. The tech who inspected the truck pre-purchase noted that they were in need of a change. So I suppose that could help.

So the question I have is Ping consistent or kind of erratic like in the video? Am I doomed to never be able to run a S/C as I’m supposedly already dealing with Ping? Would I be wasting my time and money taking it to a dealer for them to look at?

 

A lot of that ticking noise can be from the exhaust.

If all these trucks were out running around "pinging" there would be a lot more melted pistons and valve failures. Toyota engines arent really known for having those issues.

 

Well I could see how the consistent tap/click would be exhaust but what about the “ping” in the link?

 

My engine pings a lott under 2500 rpm. Indidnt notice until I got a quieter muffler. Not worrying much about it as all the temps are within range.

 

You can run methanol injection and the 7th injector kit with the s/c, make more power, and never get pinging (especially with the meth setup).

 

But damn. That’s near 5k for all that....I really wanted to start with a S/C then add stuff later on....but that’s a topic for another thread.

 

What if you just turn the stereo up, give it some skinny pedal and enjoy the ride?

I would bet you that most vehicles are going to tick, ping or make other noises at different times—all within normal operating parameters. And those vehicles are driven by people who are unaware of any noises.

Is it possible you’re over thinking things?

 

This is why I’m so confused. A lot of people seem to believe pinging means death for a motor if it’s not fixed in time.

 

Sure. In fact I overthink everything. But, the fact that the motor sounds so different from the one I drove for 9 years gets me thinking every time I get behind the wheel....always thinking this dealer screwed me or I got a lemon or something.

EDIT: not really being super serious on the last bit.

 

Yeah, I get that.

Can you ask a seasoned mechanic his thoughts?

 

Don’t know any personally. Best I could do is take it to Toyota where the guys have seen tons of them. But don’t want to pay someone to tell me it’s all good like it would probably play out.....Then they’ll corner me and try to sell me something I clearly can’t afford. Car salesmen are the worst.

 

@Brice
@boostedka

Can you take a video of the sound and post it on YouTube and link it? That will get you more definitive answers. Does the engine idle with a ping, cab you rev it at a standstill with a ping, or does it just do it under load when the vehicle's moving?

 

I notice mine ping a little sometimes. Mostly going up a particular hill in my neighborhood. I downshift and run a little higher RPM and it goes away.

 

I doubt a cell phone microphone would pick it up. It only seems to do it under load. Although, parked by a wall last night I could hear a tick as well. Not sure if it’s the same noise. Much slower and changed in momentum when the AC compressor turned on.

 

Does it appear at certain rpms and go away over a certain amount?

 

Well. I’m not really sure. It seems to be pretty consistent throughout, except for idle.

 

Maybe the injectors are dirty? Just throwing this out, but really don't worry about it.

 

Yeah, I heard of Motor Vac to clean the system, but they don’t list locations. Weird. And they’re based in CA so I’m not sure if anyone in GA would have them.....other than that I would think Premium would be the only way to safely clean them?

 

Hmm I'm beginning to think you may have something other than engine ping. Most pinging issues I've read about in here occur at low rpms when people are lugging their engine.

 

Just asking a question and not bagging on anyone as I can not see your truck... how many of these trucks that have "pinging" questions are running tires that are oversized? The tire overal diameter determines the true final drive of the vehicle and maybe, just maybe, this as opposed to an engine issue is the true cause... too much load for the given throttle/gear, again, just asking... do not take any offense please.