I've been having a persistent and unusual pinging issue that just got worse on a recent trip.Typically, it would ping totally at random at or near full throttle, usually when going up a big hill. When this happened, all I had to do was back off the throttle and then reapply it for the pinging to go away.On my last trip, it started pinging (again, at or near full throttle going up hills) and this time it wouldn't go away. It was warm at the time (~95 degrees) and I was between 2,000' and 4,000' elevation (usually the elevation makes no difference). I had to drive up large hills at reduced speed for quite a while. Then, all of the sudden, it went away and everything worked normally.Any ideas on where to start with this? The computer isn't throwing any codes.Thanks!

Maybe you just got a load of lousy fuel. Run it low and try a tank of premium from someone like Chevron.

Use a higher octane fuel if you are not at the highest now.Is the engine running hotter than normal?Maybe the knock sensor has failed, read up on that subject. I have never tested or replaced that item.

I've seen weird stuff happen like a chipped edge on a piston preignite fuel. So the answer to your problem may not arrive soon or be eaay to find. If modifying the fuel does not "cure" the pinging I sure would hesitate to take it on a long trip. Might as well hammer the fuel with Chevron Premium plus add Techron. Sometimes a chipped center electrode insulator of a spark plug will cause pinging. In any event yank the plugs and read the clues on the center insulator. Be especially on the lookout for a mottled or speckled insulator.

Pulling plugs on this engine isn't trivial. I'd opt for the Premium and carry some octane booster. It may be that the elevation, demands on engine, and the fuel delivery controller all conspired to get some ping in the engine.

Unusual pinging issue (2005 Ford three valve V10)

Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 15, 2015
Does that engine have an EGR valve? A faulty EGR can cause a ping.
j-d
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2015
I don't know, but suspect, the MAF setup is similar on 2V and 3V engines, and definitely a thing to remember.

We really have to be careful talking Two- and Three-Valve on Ford V-6-8-10 engines. The early 2V's had plug problems. Then the 3V came out with plug problems. Plugs again, yes, but different problems entirely.

Phil, your 2005 2V is one of the safest, plug wise. Still amazed that TorqShift went out.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2015
Mike, if that gremlin comes back to haunt you, I wold consider trying something you maybe already have.

On my previous Ford, I ran into an issue where some scanners, like the one at ORilley's would say all was well even when there was a light on on the dash - but that was an electrical issue.

I would consider tossing the money at it and have a Ford scanner hooked up to it for diagnosis. my first problem there would be to first find a competent diagnostician.
pnichols
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2015
John .... thanks!

Oooops .... I meant 2-valve .... and just corrected it in my post above before yours.
j-d
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2015
Phil, 3-valve in what? E-Series never got those engines.
pnichols
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2015
Mike Schriber wrote:
Update: I changed the fuel filter and cleaned the MAF. I just drove 700 miles in hot conditions up significant grades with no issues. I wasn't towing my Jeep though so I was 5,000 pounds lighter but I've had the pinging when not towing before as well. Next trip will be quite a bit longer and towing so we'll see.

Mike ..... wheeewww. You just made my day. Now I know that if this issue comes up in my 2005 2-valve V10 the solution may/will be simple!!

About 4 weeks ago the 2005 Ford TorqShift 5-speed transmission in our 2005 Class C MH blew up going out our driveway at the start of the 8000-9000 mile trip we're now on. The MH had only only 51K miles on it when the tranny went out. Our mechanic said this tranny failing at these low miles was real strange. They installed a remanufactured one (new ones are no longer available) - with heavy duty options - in two days for us and a few days later we started out again on the trip. I don't need any more surprises ... while on this trip or for a long time afterwards. ;)
Mike_Schriber
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015
I just used the spray cleaner. Easy and quick.

westend wrote:
Thanks for your update. BTW, how did you clean the MAF? I'm thinking I may need to do that.

FWIW, I discovered fluid in the manifold valley on my modular 5.4 when doing a recent alternator swap. It looked like oil but a rag disclosed that most of it was water with only a film of oil. I filed under "almost forget".
Chum_lee
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015
Hummmmm. Intermittent pinging, no fault codes, good gasoline (87 min). Is the pinging, when it occurs, regular, as in happening in the same cylinder, or is it all over the place with no particular pattern? If it's irregular I'd guess some sort of vacuum leak in the intake tract or EGR system. If its regular, as in the same cylinder, I'd go with MEXICOWANDERER. (spark plug or vacuum leak at a specific fuel injector)

Chum lee
westend
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015
Thanks for your update. BTW, how did you clean the MAF? I'm thinking I may need to do that.

FWIW, I discovered fluid in the manifold valley on my modular 5.4 when doing a recent alternator swap. It looked like oil but a rag disclosed that most of it was water with only a film of oil. I filed under "almost forget".
filrupmark
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015
Could be carbon on the pistons & combustion chamber causing higher compression that is making it detonate.