Nitro Hotpants

132,000 miles on the 2.7, and whenever im going up a grade, my truck will begin to lose power, but it also pings very badly. if i shift down to 4th, i have higher RPMs but im able to maintain speed up the incline, and the pinging usually goes away, but not always.
my question is why am I pinging? i dont have an S/C and i run 89 octane. I've run 91 and still gotten pinging on inclines? is there some cause for this that i can fix or what????

-Casey

the_supernerd

My guess would be something wrong with the knock sensor. I have heard that you can test them by tapping something near them while the engine is running. If it is working correctly then the engine will sputter a little.

kevin444

Casey you ever tried stepping up a notch on octane for gas?

gwhayduke

Increasing the octane is a band-aid for something worse going on in your engine. I'd bet on the knock sensor or carbon buildup on your intake valves and in the cylinder. The carbon heats up and causes predetonation. Try the Sea-Foam treatment or Marvel Mystery Oil through the PCV hose then add some Techron to the tank. You also might consider buying your gas from Chevron because of the Techron they add. Stay away from cheap gas...there's a reason it's cheap. Once the carbon is burned off, it will run better with no predetonation...unless it is your knock sensor.

Nitro Hotpants

ill check the knock sensor, and also try that seafoam stuff. ive been hearing good things about it on here so its probably time i give it a shot.
thanx guys

CynicX

i second the seafoam idea....i think that will cure your problem....

as gwhayduke said...carbon builded up will get real hot and cause your pre det/pinging....so the sea foam make fix the problem all together...