Pinging! Cheap gas? Fuel Filter? Injectors? What gives?
 

Ok, I have an '01 Tacoma 3.4l 5spd. It has been pinging for some time and for whatever reason I kind of gave up on it...

When I throw some fuel injector cleaner in it seems to run smoother on that tank of gas. Then I refill and the pinging is back immediately.

It mostly pings when I am get on the gas a little in a higher gear than I should be in (so if I give it a little gas in 4th, but I would have a better power band in 3rd at that speed).... then it really pings like no other.

The rest of the time it is there, but its pretty mild almost unnoticeable.

I do not think the fuel filter has ever been replaced? If the fuel filter is all clogged up could this be causing the problem??

My only other thought is it is just poor quality gas. I notice its a little better when I dont go to Arco...

So what gives?? Should I try a new fuel filter?

My gas mileage is roughly 280 miles to 14-15 gallons... so no real problem there.

Have you tried running premium? How many miles on it?

82K miles.

I have run premium and the pinging is pretty much gone when I do. However, I am not going to buy premium all the time. I also notice Arco gas is the worst.... other stations seem to run a little bit smoother.

Would the fuel filter affect this? At 82k should it be replaced and will it improve performance?

I have heard with diesel you have to replace the fuel filter frequently.... is it a dirtier fuel? I know at work the mechanic showed me a fuel filter after only a few months and it looked like it had been dipped in mud (He was convinced it was the gas station across the street since several rigs suddenly were messed up due to the fuel filter... but thats another story).

It's possible the filter could be clogging causing it to run lean. It all depends on how dirty the gas was you put in. FYI look into Toptier gas. http://www.toptiergas.com/

If you said it was because of gas you can try a higher quality gasoline(brand).

I was always told it can never hurt to change the fuel filter

So when changing the fuel filter out... you have to run the car and pull the fuel pump fuse to depressurize the fuel line.

Is this going to throw a code or check engine light??

Only reason I ask is I dont have an OBDII reader to turn the check engine light off.

You may also have excessive carbon buildup in the combustion chamber. I had an 89 camry where this was the case. It would ping like hell under load until I ran some top end cleaner through it to break all of that free.
If there is excessive carbon buildup it effectively raises your compression in the cylinder which is what can cause pinging on higher mileage engines.
Fuel filter and plugs arent a bad place to start either!