Pinging 5sfe.. Diagnosis needed please

[trd_st184]

I've had a 5sfe before in my previous st184 and it didn't ping. For some reason this one pings quite badly under 2500rpm.

So far i've checked timing (which was 10 degrees TDC) and changed a set of plugs.

I'm putting it down to the following:

- Injectors are dirty

- Possibly Low compression


Any suggestions I could try to fix the issue?

I'm generous with rep too
Thanks
Adrian

[RyleyMA61]

98 octane fuel?

lower compression will help with pinging...

[Dale]

What fuel do you use in it?

[trd_st184]

98 octane fuel?

lower compression will help with pinging...

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'll try 98 octane in this week, i'm suprised though that the 5sfe would need it (motor has about 194k on the odometer).

Did you by any chance mean low timing will help with pinging?

Could sludge on the motor (or on piston) cause a raise in compression and hence my pinging issue too?

[trd_st184]

What fuel do you use in it?

I'm currently using Shell 91 octane in it.

[Dale]

I'd hope there is no sludge on the piston might have carbon build up which would slightly raise the compression and I suppose could contribute to the pinging.

If you want another option to 98RON I find e10 to ping less than standard 91RON, a little pinging tends to come with the territory of non turbo S series motors I have found. Also don't forget it is summer and the hotter intake temps will make it more prone to pinging.

[trd_st184]

I'd hope there is no sludge on the piston might have carbon build up which would slightly raise the compression and I suppose could contribute to the pinging.

If you want another option to 98RON I find e10 to ping less than standard 91RON, a little pinging tends to come with the territory of non turbo S series motors I have found. Also don't forget it is summer and the hotter intake temps will make it more prone to pinging.

Sorry I mean't to say carbon lol. I have used the e10 on my old 3sge with good success in the past so i'll try this out too. I'm suprised its pinging though because my old 3sge gen 1 never used to ping at base timing

Thanks for the suggestions

[DrNick]

I had a lot of issues with pinging on my old 5sfe and it got a whole lot better when I fixed up the cooling system. The radiator was sludged up. It never registered any different on the temp gauge, but replacing it must have lowered the operating temp a lot.
However it still pings lot on 91 octane, 95 is fine and gets slightly better mileage anyway so it works out alright I think.

[trd_st184]

I had a lot of issues with pinging on my old 5sfe and it got a whole lot better when I fixed up the cooling system. The radiator was sludged up. It never registered any different on the temp gauge, but replacing it must have lowered the operating temp a lot.
However it still pings lot on 91 octane, 95 is fine and gets slightly better mileage anyway so it works out alright I think.

So it was overheating? Did ya end up changing the coolant temp sensor? Drnick I wonder why the temp gauge didn't move around. Mind u a few degrees in temp (may not register diff on gauge) could still cause some issues with overall running of the car.

[Sam_Q]

definitely sounds like carbon buildup to me, either that or incorrect base timing

[DrNick]

So it was overheating? Did ya end up changing the coolant temp sensor? Drnick I wonder why the temp gauge didn't move around. Mind u a few degrees in temp (may not register diff on gauge) could still cause some issues with overall running of the car.

Yeah it was a strange one, I know the gauge works because the time when I split a radiator hose the gauge went straight up in no time It must have just been a few degrees. Or alternatively maybe the overall temperature was still ok but there were localised areas of high temperature which were contributing to the detonation. Perhaps water jackets are sludged up to some extent. Also the carbon buildup theory makes sense too. I am still running the same engine even though it has had a hard life, I'll be very interested to have a look inside it though when I do swap it out.

[LeaThaL]

how do you mean by pinging? my 5sfe had a rattle/ping under 2500.....3 weeks later the big end went so yeah... one chace and if found these engines will give up the ghost :S

[MWP]

Pinging = pre-detonation = knocking = pinking.
All names for the same thing.

Its caused by peak pressure in the cylinder occurring before TDC, which then tries to run the engine backwards.
It causes huge stress on many parts, but most of the time it takes out a spark plug, or melts a piston top before it does other damage.

Its more likley to happen when the engine is running hot.
This is why you hear lots of un-maintained cars on very hot days pinging under load.

[AndyTTR]

Its kind of off-topic, but our Rav4 with a 3SFE motor has made a sound very similar to pinging under load since it was new. I've heard a similar noise in other #SFE powered Celicas and Camry's I've driven over the years too... perhaps its just normal for those motors to make high pitched rattling noises when they're under load?

[trd_st184]

I ran a fuel injection cleaner and i'm pretty sure the pinging noise has gone now.

My old 5sfe didn't do it which is quite unusual.