Car pings for some reason...

**Ferndogg** · 04-23-2010, 12:56 PM

I've noticed my car has started to ping either in low RPM's when cruising or going into high RPM's. Car is stock just K&N insert. I've been runninh 91 since I got the car plus I don't run cheap gas always 76, shell, mobile, or chevron.

Any ideas what it can be? I have a 01 Z28 A4 75,000 miles.

**sunsetorangess** · 04-23-2010, 03:19 PM

Sounds like cheap gas or a mix. How long has it been doing it? Try adding some injector cleaner to it and see if it goes away and wherever you filled up last avoid that gas station and go to a different one. SES light on?
J

**Ferndogg** · 04-23-2010, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by sunsetorangess

Sounds like cheap gas or a mix. How long has it been doing it? Try adding some injector cleaner to it and see if it goes away and wherever you filled up last avoid that gas station and go to a different one. SES light on?
J

I don't put cheap gas only places I fill up are mobile, chevron, 76 or shell. I put in injector cleaner when I did my oil change about 1k miles ago. Was gonna try another one with next oil change. No SES light or anything.

Also (dunno if this could be part of the problem) When starting my car after it;s been sitting for a while, it takes about 5-8 seconds before it actually starts up. I have to let the fuel pressure build up then start it.

**cammed goat** · 04-23-2010, 03:41 PM

I am thinking weak fuel pump. Also, since you have a K&N in your car, have you cleaned the MAF sensor at all? Just a little routine maintenance.

**Ferndogg** · 04-23-2010, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

I am thinking weak fuel pump. Also, since you have a K&N in your car, have you cleaned the MAF sensor at all? Just a little routine maintenance.

I was also thinking weak fuel pump or fuel filter is clogging up.

No I haven't cleaned the MAF sensor yet. What should I clean it with?

**Cutlass** · 04-23-2010, 04:06 PM

Most likely you are running lean for some reason (ie low fuel pressure, dirty MAF)
Clean MAF with this stuff. It can be found at any auto parts store

**Cutlass** · 04-23-2010, 04:06 PM

Most likely you are running lean for some reason (ie low fuel pressure, dirty MAF)
Clean MAF with this stuff. It can be found at any auto parts store

**Ferndogg** · 04-23-2010, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

Most likely you are running lean for some reason (ie low fuel pressure, dirty MAF)
Clean MAF with this stuff. It can be found at any auto parts store

Cool thanks I'll pick some of that stuff up and clean the MAF sensor. I firgured I was running lean but I couldn't firgure out why. I'll rry this out.

**DVrec21** · 04-26-2010, 08:52 AM

you sound like your having the same issue I'm having witht he car not accelerating like it should at low RPMs and when tryin to go through higher RPMs it kind of cuts off. I been having this problem before I put my K&N filter in, and once I did it only made it more noticeable... I still have to replace my fuel filter and see what that does first.

Keep us posted though.

**cammed goat** · 04-26-2010, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by DVrec21

you sound like your having the same issue I'm having witht he car not accelerating like it should at low RPMs and when tryin to go through higher RPMs it kind of cuts off. I been having this problem before I put my K&N filter in, and once I did it only made it more noticeable... I still have to replace my fuel filter and see what that does first.

Keep us posted though.

I don't think a lil seafoam would hurt after you replace the filter. Keeps the injectors lubricated.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 04-26-2010, 10:29 AM

Another inexpensive maintenance item would be to replace the fuel filter if you never have. Does the pinging (ticking?) get louder and faster when you rev the engine up?

Is it more prominent when you first start your car when it's cold and then get quieter once the car is warmed up?

have you recently switched oil viscosity?

**0rion** · 04-26-2010, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Ferndogg

I don't put cheap gas only places I fill up are mobile, chevron, 76 or shell. I put in injector cleaner when I did my oil change about 1k miles ago. Was gonna try another one with next oil change. No SES light or anything.

Also (dunno if this could be part of the problem) When starting my car after it;s been sitting for a while, it takes about 5-8 seconds before it actually starts up. I have to let the fuel pressure build up then start it.

sounds like your pump is taking a dump. Check your fuel pressure after the cars been sitting for a while and see what it is.

**Ferndogg** · 04-27-2010, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by DVrec21

you sound like your having the same issue I'm having witht he car not accelerating like it should at low RPMs and when tryin to go through higher RPMs it kind of cuts off. I been having this problem before I put my K&N filter in, and once I did it only made it more noticeable... I still have to replace my fuel filter and see what that does first.

Keep us posted though.

I don't have a problem with the car accelerating at low RPM's I also don't get cut off at high RPM's. Car runs strong just pings.

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Another inexpensive maintenance item would be to replace the fuel filter if you never have. Does the pinging (ticking?) get louder and faster when you rev the engine up?

Is it more prominent when you first start your car when it's cold and then get quieter once the car is warmed up?

have you recently switched oil viscosity?

I'm gonna change the fuel filter, that was my next step. I cleaned the MAF sensor and I'm still having the ping problem.

Originally Posted by 0rion

sounds like your pump is taking a dump. Check your fuel pressure after the cars been sitting for a while and see what it is.

I don't think it's the pump cause I don't get any cut off what's so ever. I'm gonna change the fuel filter and go from there. I was talking to my dad (mechanic for 30 years) he said it could be the valve in the fuel lines that is letting all the puressure go down after sitting for a while. So I'm gonna get that checked as well.

**0rion** · 04-27-2010, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Ferndogg

I don't think it's the pump cause I don't get any cut off what's so ever. I'm gonna change the fuel filter and go from there. I was talking to my dad (mechanic for 30 years) he said it could be the valve in the fuel lines that is letting all the puressure go down after sitting for a while. So I'm gonna get that checked as well.

better known as the fuel pressure regulator...which is part of the pump assembly. Check your fuel pressure.

**Ferndogg** · 04-27-2010, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

better known as the fuel pressure regulator...which is part of the pump assembly. Check your fuel pressure.

There's a valve that is in the engine bay, it's connected to the fuel lines, and rail. He said it could be that valve that is letting all the pessure go. He's having the same problem on an Astro van he hs.

**Cutlass** · 04-27-2010, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Ferndogg

There's a valve that is in the engine bay, it's connected to the fuel lines, and rail. He said it could be that valve that is letting all the pessure go. He's having the same problem on an Astro van he hs.

That 'valve' on the fuel rail isn't a fuel pressure regulator, like the Astro van guy thinks. Its actually a fuel pulse dampener (er something like that). The actual fuel pressure regulator is built into the fuel pump module in the gas tank.

**Ferndogg** · 04-28-2010, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

That 'valve' on the fuel rail isn't a fuel pressure regulator, like the Astro van guy thinks. Its actually a fuel pulse dampener (er something like that). The actual fuel pressure regulator is built into the fuel pump module in the gas tank.

Alright thanks for the info. I'm gonna change the plugs/wires along with the fuel filter this weekend see if that fixes my problem.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 04-28-2010, 09:13 AM

Has anyone else suggested this could be a "tick" and not a "ping"?? that was kinda what I was getting at when I asked the questions I did...which the OP never answered.

Not possible that it could be a bad lifter?

**cammed goat** · 04-28-2010, 04:53 PM

Maybe the ever popular LS1 "sewing machine"?

**Ferndogg** · 04-28-2010, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Has anyone else suggested this could be a "tick" and not a "ping"?? that was kinda what I was getting at when I asked the questions I did...which the OP never answered.

Not possible that it could be a bad lifter?

Hmmm I'll try and get some video of the sound see if you can tell. It sounds like a ping coming from the drivers side of the motor.