loyale1993 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I get a rattling/pinging sound from the old girl. I guess I could try a higher octane fuel or? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Worth a shot. I had trouble with pinging the whole time they were using MTBE in the fuel around here. When it was changed to ethanol, most of the pinging stopped. Only get it occasionally now. I run 87 now. I also ran some stale gas for a while, it didn't ping. I'm guessing, something may be a bit out of spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyale1993 Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 I'm guessing, something may be a bit out of spec. No cel so I'm assuming the mass air flow sensor is ok. Do you recommend any starting point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 A few things - Has it always been this way? Did it recently begin? Check all the typical tune up stuff. Correct NGK regular spark plugs? Or 1 step cooler. NOT platinums or any other "high tech" ones. Correct operating temp / thermostat? PCV valve working correctly? Vacuum leaks making it run lean? As far as no codes goes - I had an O2 sensor fail years ago, in a way that burned out the catalytic converter - without generating a code. Also, a Coolant Temperature Sensor went bonkers, but never out of normal range, so never threw a code. Neither caused pinging I just mention these to demonstrate that no codes doesn't mean that everything is correct. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subnz Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 (edited) Agree low octane / bad fuel , Spark plugs a grade too hot / wrong type , Lean fuel mix due to faulty carb if fitted / vacuum leaks. (air filter?) sensors ? Incorrect operating temperature - suggestions as previously mentioned. Hot spots / carbon deposits in combustion chambers , Ignition timing too advanced (check) - light pinging under heavy throttle applications from low rpms - timing ok. - continuous pinging - timing too advanced, under reasonable throttle. no pinging at all and sluggish acceleration, back firing under heavy throttle applications- timing retarded (could also be a faulty accelerator pump in carb if one) Modifications? Edited August 18, 2016 by subnz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somick Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 We used to have a lot of threads about pinning here. Try to search. Unfortunately that is how EA82 works, Subaru even have a TSB on pinning. Keep your engine well tuned. Make sure your PCV valve is clean. Check out vacuum hoses. That is what will lower your pinning. I do have occasional pinning sometime. The better the gas the more pinning I get. Good luck, Sam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Anywhere I can read that tsb? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loyale1993 Posted August 19, 2016 Author Share Posted August 19, 2016 Thanks ya'll. I've had the car for 3 years and I have had random times where it pinged but now it seems to be more regular. I have not changed the plugs and I know they are not NGK but I took them out a few months back and they looked ok. The car is completely stock except for the foot print gas peddle I had installed to get a few more ponies out of her. Thermostat and PCV are only a couple years old and no known vacuum leaks are present. It has been running a little warm but I suspect the sending unit for the gauge is the culprit. I hit the top of the T stat housing with a laser thermometer and I get a reading of 180ish. I fiddled with the gauge wire a little and it has been giving me an acceptable reading on the gauge since. So, I suppose I will start with changing the plugs and go from there. What dose TSB stand for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Technical service bulletin. It's a Subaru to dealer shop thing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee2 Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 (edited) "So, I suppose I will start with changing the plugs and go from there." I would start by changing fuel. Make sure you're getting a good octane level with no more than 10% ethanol. Edited August 19, 2016 by Dee2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subnz Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 (edited) "So, I suppose I will start with changing the plugs and go from there." I would start by changing fuel. Make sure you're getting a good octane level with no more than 10% ethanol. The next thing I'd check is the distributor - Ignition timing - advance components ie the the centrifugal advance shaft / weights - this could be sticking (in an advanced position)/ worn / dry / need lubrication. and vacuum advance unit. Edited August 19, 2016 by subnz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somick Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 (edited) I will have to go through my tons of paperwork this weekend but I am pretty sure I know where it is. I will post it as soon as I find it.Sam Anywhere I can read that tsb? Edited August 19, 2016 by somick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somick Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 (edited) Anywhere I can read that tsb? Here it is. Ping.doc Edited August 20, 2016 by somick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maozebong Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 ive been periodically fighting pinging in the motor in my current wagon... ill list off the things ive done that worked to remedy the situation. it started out pinging at any throttle level and low loads. i started with a tuneup, ngk wires and plugs, airtex cap/rotor. this got rid of the bulk of the low throttle problem. checked for vacuum leaks, found them at the throttle shaft and at pcv hoses (ends cracked). replaced pcv hoses, noticeable improvement, wideband AFR showing much more appropriate cruising AFR's (started at ~17:1, now at high 15:1) i noticed i have quite an oily intake tube, the motor has 275k on it, and uses 2qts between oil changes. the system got pretty gunky and had whitish milkshake garbage. don't let anyone here tell you its normal. it comes from intake/throttle body/head gasket leaks, NOT morning condensation. i checked mine and found the passenger side intake gasket was leaking ever so slightly. no more milkshake in the pcv. i replaced the throttle body and all its gaskets, since it looked to be leaking once i had the manifold off and in hand. oddly enough this fixed my cold start misfire/stalling, i suspect due to a fuel leak when the engine was off. cruising AFR's down to low 15's. cleaned MAF, AFR's improved at WOT (low 14's, high 13's) TPS failed testing when tested at the ecu. turned out to be minor corrosion on the connector. cleaned connector, tip in acceleration improved. checked fuel pressure, found in spec. for curiosity sake, i unplugged vacuum to the FPR. WOT AFR's now locked in low 13's. no pinging on 89 octane. pinging still present on 87. i plan on trying a step colder plugs soon, a top engine cleaning (gonna use BG induction service instead of seafoam this time, BG stuff has more detergents, as well as its sold at my shop) and removing the catalytic converters. hopefully the cat removal will help with carbon buildup, ive been noticing carbon flecks on the plugs, a sign of backpressure being present, which is no surprise considering how much engine oil i have made that cat digest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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