posted
On hot days my '02 SS tends to ping. This seems to be more appearent when the car is idling at a traffic light and I start to accelerate. It seems like the air in the hood scoop is heating up too much and until I get the air circulating through the hood the pinging tends to be less. At night or on cooler days it doesn't do it and runs like it has 50 more hp (of course due to the denser air). Does anyone else have this similar senario? What to do? Is it just a lean condition? I would hate to take the car to the dealer if don't have too. Oh, by the way I tried adding octane booster a couple of times and it seems help but I would rather not use it very often. Posts: 71 | From: Florida West Coast | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
quote:Originally posted by BobsSS: On hot days my '02 SS tends to ping. This seems to be more appearent when the car is idling at a traffic light and I start to accelerate. It seems like the air in the hood scoop is heating up too much and until I get the air circulating through the hood the pinging tends to be less. At night or on cooler days it doesn't do it and runs like it has 50 more hp (of course due to the denser air). Does anyone else have this similar senario? What to do? Is it just a lean condition? I would hate to take the car to the dealer if don't have too. Oh, by the way I tried adding octane booster a couple of times and it seems help but I would rather not use it very often.
What gas do you use without the boost? I use at least 93 and have no problems in any weather.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
posted
[/qb][/QUOTE]What gas do you use without the boost? I use at least 93 and have no problems in any weather. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Same here, we use Sunoco 93. Also check the Alcohol level of the fuel. Some places have a mixture of over 15% Alcohol. Stay away from the higher blended fuels.
Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
posted
I use Amoco 93 in mine and knock on wood haven't had any pinging problems. The goes for my IROC-Z. Premium fuel is probably going to be your best although nowadays people tell me its not needed anymore. I tend not to listen to them even though the knocking and pinging problems have been basically knocked out with better technology as well.
If that doesn't help I would check the Mass Airflow Sensor.
Posts: 2841 | From: Westland, MI | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged
posted
I always use either Mobil or Shell 93 octane. I also bought an SLP MAF and tried installing that and the same thing happened so I sent the SLP unit back to check for calibration and put the stock one back on. SLP sent the MAF back and said the calibration was right on but I have not installed it back on the car yet. How would I check for alcohol content?
posted
Bob if I am correct there should be a label stating the fuel and alcohol content on the pump itself.
As for myself I always try to go to the same station for gas. This way they know me and I know them and build up a good solid reputation. Posts: 2841 | From: Westland, MI | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged
posted
Is the pinging with the A/C on or off? My Impala did that alot and it turned out that the cooling system was not working well so the heads were getting too hot. If I turned the A/C on it forced the fans on and kept it cooler. After I fixed the cooling system the problem was gone. I suggest you check the cooling system, add a 180 stat, and lower your fan temp settings.
Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
| IP: Logged
posted
Do you have engine mods?My 2002 SS never pinged at all even in 100 degree temps at National Trails Raceway last year at SLP Customer Appreciation Day.
The air conditioning is usually off. I never thought about that. I do watch the temp gauge though, how ever acurate that is, and it seems to be ok. I will however try it with a/c on and see if it makes a difference. Good idea.
Posts: 71 | From: Florida West Coast | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
You don't get any hotter there than we do here in Houston. I don't think you sould be having this problem. GM test these cars in very extreme conditions for temp., both hot and cold. I would take it back to the dealer and have them check all related components.
Posts: 376 | From: Friendswood, TX | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged
posted
go to ls1.com and do a search on it. UNFORTUNATELY, it is pretty common. In fact I would guess that a lot more of them ping than we care to admit. Ours does if it is warm outside, and it doesnt matter what gas we use either. We have tried everything available here with 93 octane being the highest, and none of it will stop the ping if it is hot. ANYTHING you do to increase air intake (345hp lid, filter, etc..) will only make it worse. If you take it to the dealership, they will tell you some light pinging is normal, ( I DISSAGREE) and send you home. The 2nd time they will probably try to blame it on ANYTHING you have done to the engine. The 3rd time they will take it in and do a "top engine cylinder treatment" to it. SOMETIMES this helps. If you are half way mechanically inclined you can do this yourself and save your car from the joyrides taken by the dealership monkeys. Do a search on LS1.com for seafoam. Custom computer programming will fix it, a MAFT will fix it, and the simplest, most "redneck" fix is to simply turn your MAFS around BACKWARDS! On a positive note, it seems that the ones that ping on occasion, and have piston slap are the highest HP "freaks" everyone talks about!
Posts: 200 | From: Baxter, TN. 38544 | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
quote:Originally posted by RichardZ SS: go to ls1.com and do a search on it. UNFORTUNATELY, it is pretty common. In fact I would guess that a lot more of them ping than we care to admit. Ours does if it is warm outside, and it doesnt matter what gas we use either. We have tried everything available here with 93 octane being the highest, and none of it will stop the ping if it is hot. ANYTHING you do to increase air intake (345hp lid, filter, etc..) will only make it worse. If you take it to the dealership, they will tell you some light pinging is normal, ( I DISSAGREE) and send you home. The 2nd time they will probably try to blame it on ANYTHING you have done to the engine. The 3rd time they will take it in and do a "top engine cylinder treatment" to it. SOMETIMES this helps. If you are half way mechanically inclined you can do this yourself and save your car from the joyrides taken by the dealership monkeys. Do a search on LS1.com for seafoam. Custom computer programming will fix it, a MAFT will fix it, and the simplest, most "redneck" fix is to simply turn your MAFS around BACKWARDS! On a positive note, it seems that the ones that ping on occasion, and have piston slap are the highest HP "freaks" everyone talks about!
Thanks. Interesting information. I never had the car on a dyno so I don't know about the HP. The car only has 8600 miles on it so I do have some time to play with it. I will look into LS1.com and the "top engine cylinder treatment". I don't know what is involved in the "top engine cylinder treatment" but I assume I can find out on LS1.com. What does turning your MAF around do for you? Will the custom programming bring the HP down if the car is a freak? You would think that with the car pinging the knock sensors would tell the computer to retard the timing thus reducing HP but who knows what the computer is doing without monitoring it.
Posts: 71 | From: Florida West Coast | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
posted
All I can say is WOW! Chevorlet never ceases to amaze me. From what you said, that would indicate that GM leaned the A/F mixture out, probably in an attempt to meet some CAFE standard, thats why they produce more hp. In any case it's not normal and should be taken care of. If you burned a hole in the top of a piston would they say " oh, well a few small holes are normal", I don't think so.
I would start a thread, if there isn't one already, and see how many people are having this problem. A possible class action suit may be all that it would take to get GM off their rears and fix this.
Just a thought!
Posts: 376 | From: Friendswood, TX | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged
posted
The seafoam treatment helps to remove small carbon deposits that sometimes accumulate inside then combustion chamber. These deposits become red hot, litterally, when engine temps rise. When fuel is dumped into the chamber on the compression stroke, SOMETIMES these carbon embers will preignite the mixture before the computer controlled spark gets there so to speak. This results in "ping". For some reason, turning the maf around tricks the computer into richening up the fuel mixture, I dont know why, perhaps the sensors read off the back and by turning it backwards it gets a MUCH higher airflow reading than is actually coming in.? Just a guess. Z28SORR pretty much hit the nail on the head with his post. SOMETIMES the ping in hot temps is the result of actual PC programming. The computer has adjusted the fuel parameters to the ragged edge so to speak, and these cars are the ones that run the strongest WHEN THEY ARE NOT PINGING. I hate to keep referring you folks to LS1.com, but if you want information, the "database there is MUCH larger there than it is here. Go ahead and do a search over there for "engine ping" or "spark knock". You will find a wealth of information, unfortunately it wont be what you want to hear. Generally speaking, after the seafoam treatment, most dealers will simply offer you an extended warranty on your engine due to failure because of the spark knock. Sadly, the older these cars get, the less GM is going to do to keep us satisfied.
Posts: 200 | From: Baxter, TN. 38544 | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
posted
I have the SLP MAF and the smooth bellows.I did cut out the bottom of the air box to let in more air from the air dam under the vehicle.I always use Mobil/Exxon and Shell for fuel.A few weeks ago I went to Virginia Beach and averaged 30-33MPH on the highway.The SS ran great without any pinging.
Posts: 173 | From: Nashua,NH USA | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
quote:Originally posted by Ken Howe Sr: I have the SLP MAF and the smooth bellows.I did cut out the bottom of the air box to let in more air from the air dam under the vehicle.I always use Mobil/Exxon and Shell for fuel.A few weeks ago I went to Virginia Beach and averaged 30-33MPH on the highway.The SS ran great without any pinging.
Some do, some dont, some will, some wont, ours MIGHT or might not ping on any given day! Posts: 200 | From: Baxter, TN. 38544 | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged
posted
I have found that mine will ping a little at times too.
One of the "tricks" I use is to run the car on a daily basis with 91/92 octane gas (Esso) so that the computer goes to the point of ping with this level of octane. Then when I know I will be beating on the car hard at an event , I fill up before the event with Sunoco 94. Since it takes a while for the programming to catch up, I can beat on it with no pinging.
After the event, I go back to 91/92 octane and take it easy for a while as it will ping a little more for a while.
I have also thought of a MAFT but I have heard that over time the PCM will compensate for the MAFT. Howver, a MAFT is a great device to use to determine what programming changes are needed, or if you use it just for special events.
Bill M 98 TA
Posts: 383 | From: Oakville, Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
