Engine Ping on 91 Octane

WhiskeyHotel · 11-10-2009, 10:49 PM

I haven't experienced that at all - but then again, I'm still on my first tank of gas.

One would suspect a bad O2 sensor would cause all sorts of other problems like hard starting and idle problems. Did they see if the ECU was throwing any codes?

Hopefully some expert will chime in.

Rocketman · 11-10-2009, 11:13 PM

No codes as of yet. The car also runs great otherwise.

The sound is really only noticeable with the windows down and no radio on which is why I think it is only a "slight" ping. Is it possible that Nissan finds a small amount of ping acceptable? Unfortunately I'm not very experienced when it comes to newer engines. My last car was a carburated 87' Nissan Sentra.

dad · 11-11-2009, 12:21 AM

Ping, or "ticking"?

Is this a normal sound

Rocketman · 11-11-2009, 07:08 AM

Its definitely not a ticking sound. The sound is metallic and sounds as if a heat shield is rattling under the car under light acceleration. Its most noticeable when accelerating in first and second gear. It might be present in other gears as well although road noise tends to drown it out past second. I had the car inspected at the dealer when I took it in and neither me or the mechanic could find anything loose underneath the car that would make the noise.

370Zsteve · 11-11-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocketman

Its definitely not a ticking sound. The sound is metallic and sounds as if a heat shield is rattling under the car under light acceleration. Its most noticeable when accelerating in first and second gear. It might be present in other gears as well although road noise tends to drown it out past second. I had the car inspected at the dealer when I took it in and neither me or the mechanic could find anything loose underneath the car that would make the noise.

Sounds like a heat shield noise...if it only happens at a certain rpm, that is where the resonance occurs that makes the shield rattle. A ping is very noticeable, almost sounds like a small hammer banging against a large piece of metal. If it is a rather thin metallic noise, it is almost certainly just a rattle of a metal heat shield.

WhiskeyHotel · 11-11-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocketman

No codes as of yet. The car also runs great otherwise.

The sound is really only noticeable with the windows down and no radio on which is why I think it is only a "slight" ping. Is it possible that Nissan finds a small amount of ping acceptable? Unfortunately I'm not very experienced when it comes to newer engines. My last car was a carburated 87' Nissan Sentra.

I'm really surprised the ECU lets any detonation occur - at least that's audible. I figured it would just back off the timing.

Modshack · 11-11-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskeyHotel

I'm really surprised the ECU lets any detonation occur - at least that's audible. I figured it would just back off the timing.

It should...Could be a malfunctioning Knock Sensor..

Rocketman · 11-11-2009, 06:19 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. I made an appointment for this Saturday to have the car checked out again. I figure I'll give the dealership that I bought the car from one more chance. I will insist on them running some diagnostics and see if they cant figure it out. If I'm not satisfied I'll go elsewhere. As for the noise, I have not ruled out the heat shield yet but I find it unlikely given that running an octane booster greatly diminished the metallic noise. This could always be the placebo effect but I pretty certain this is the case.

I'll try to keep you guys updated if I find out any new information. In the mean time feel free to chime in if you can think of any more causes or are experiencing the same issue. I would like to hear some input from some of our AZ members to see if they are experiencing the same thing. I know AZ is prone to running different blends of gasoline through out the year to cut down on emissions. I am curious if this could be the cause.

kannibul · 11-11-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocketman

Thanks for all the input guys. I made an appointment for this Saturday to have the car checked out again. I figure I'll give the dealership that I bought the car from one more chance. I will insist on them running some diagnostics and see if they cant figure it out. If I'm not satisfied I'll go elsewhere. As for the noise, I have not ruled out the heat shield yet but I find it unlikely given that running an octane booster greatly diminished the metallic noise. This could always be the placebo effect but I pretty certain this is the case.

I'll try to keep you guys updated if I find out any new information. In the mean time feel free to chime in if you can think of any more causes or are experiencing the same issue. I would like to hear some input from some of our AZ members to see if they are experiencing the same thing. I know AZ is prone to running different blends of gasoline through out the year to cut down on emissions. I am curious if this could be the cause.

In reference to different blends of gas - that happens everywhere, AFIAK.

Around here, we have a "winter" blend, that runs poorly in my motorcycle, and a blend that is used the rest of the year. I try and fill my tank around this time of year with stations that aren't as busy as others, in the hopes they still have the good stuff. Then in spring, I hit the stations that are busy in the hopes that they've cycled out the bad stuff.

1slow370 · 11-12-2009, 08:31 AM

dang it i was gonna throw out bad knock circuit but mod beat me to it. doesn't have to be the sensor could be the harness too. If adding an an octane booster (recommend NOS in the box or the lucas one in the orange bottle) mostly gets rid of it you can either just drive forever to get somewhere with 93 or take it in and have the dealer use the consult3 on it. He confirmed the problem so it's already warranty and your golden.

Edit: until you start getting gasoline blended for -30deg temps don't complain about yearly blends.

davidyan · 11-19-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

It should...Could be a malfunctioning Knock Sensor..

There could be some small delay before the knock sensor kicks in. It has to detect a ping before pulling back the timing.

11-10-2009, 11:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rocketman Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 12 Drives: 09 370Z Base 6sp Rep Power: 16	No codes as of yet. The car also runs great otherwise. The sound is really only noticeable with the windows down and no radio on which is why I think it is only a "slight" ping. Is it possible that Nissan finds a small amount of ping acceptable? Unfortunately I'm not very experienced when it comes to newer engines. My last car was a carburated 87' Nissan Sentra. Last edited by Rocketman; 11-10-2009 at 11:18 PM.

11-11-2009, 12:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Ping, or "ticking"? Is this a normal sound __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

11-11-2009, 06:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rocketman Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 12 Drives: 09 370Z Base 6sp Rep Power: 16	Thanks for all the input guys. I made an appointment for this Saturday to have the car checked out again. I figure I'll give the dealership that I bought the car from one more chance. I will insist on them running some diagnostics and see if they cant figure it out. If I'm not satisfied I'll go elsewhere. As for the noise, I have not ruled out the heat shield yet but I find it unlikely given that running an octane booster greatly diminished the metallic noise. This could always be the placebo effect but I pretty certain this is the case. I'll try to keep you guys updated if I find out any new information. In the mean time feel free to chime in if you can think of any more causes or are experiencing the same issue. I would like to hear some input from some of our AZ members to see if they are experiencing the same thing. I know AZ is prone to running different blends of gasoline through out the year to cut down on emissions. I am curious if this could be the cause. wideglideleon likes this.

11-12-2009, 08:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	dang it i was gonna throw out bad knock circuit but mod beat me to it. doesn't have to be the sensor could be the harness too. If adding an an octane booster (recommend NOS in the box or the lucas one in the orange bottle) mostly gets rid of it you can either just drive forever to get somewhere with 93 or take it in and have the dealer use the consult3 on it. He confirmed the problem so it's already warranty and your golden. Edit: until you start getting gasoline blended for -30deg temps don't complain about yearly blends. Last edited by 1slow370; 11-12-2009 at 08:34 AM.

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11-10-2009, 10:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
WhiskeyHotel Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 530 Drives: 2015 GT-R PW Premium Rep Power: 17	I haven't experienced that at all - but then again, I'm still on my first tank of gas. One would suspect a bad O2 sensor would cause all sorts of other problems like hard starting and idle problems. Did they see if the ECU was throwing any codes? Hopefully some expert will chime in.

11-11-2009, 07:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rocketman Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 12 Drives: 09 370Z Base 6sp Rep Power: 16	Its definitely not a ticking sound. The sound is metallic and sounds as if a heat shield is rattling under the car under light acceleration. Its most noticeable when accelerating in first and second gear. It might be present in other gears as well although road noise tends to drown it out past second. I had the car inspected at the dealer when I took it in and neither me or the mechanic could find anything loose underneath the car that would make the noise.