4.0L Pinging

[ScottB]

Hello I just got my truck back together it had a cracked head and I have been driving it around for about a week now anyway when the truck is under a load it will ping like crazy I know it did a little bit when I was going up hills before the major repairs but it is doing it all the time on the freeway. I took out the spark plugs and examined them they all seemed to be in good shape but one on the driver side was loose could that be the cause? Does this engine not like copper plugs? Also the truck did sit for awhile but there was a quarter of a tank left of the old gas so i just refilled it with new gas.

 

[RonD]

Always use motorcraft spark plugs in Rangers, they eat everything else.

Pinging is an issue with the 3.0l and 4.0l motors, there was a TSB for them, it was to put in a better coil for a better spark.

Pinging causes cylinder overheating and could have been the source of your cracked head, so I would get it to stop ASAP.

If you have an EGR system make sure it is working and not plugged up, the EGR helps prevent pinging.


Pinging:

This has been an ongoing problem with Ford's 3.0's and 4.0's for a long time. They have recently released a TSB on it. It requires a new coil giving a hotter spark. Evidently the current coil was just giving enough to ignite, and not explode. If the TSB doesn't apply to you, check your base timing and your timing advance.

 

[JimRummy]

Tsb?

 

[adsm08]

Tsb?

Technical service bulletin. Its basically when the manufacturer says "hey, we found this spot wherr we have a problem, here is how to fix it." They are for things that aren't severe enough to require a recall but go beyond a "common problem".

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[JimRummy]

Is there a website with free access to the TSB's? I searched for them and dozes came back, but none with more then some small vague info, and they want money for the rest..