pinging?

Hoseitdown · Feb 4, 2009

when driving my cobra, i can hear a pinging sound coming from the motor, i cant really pinpoint where though. what would cause this? bad gas? is the timing retarded? it does it at low rpms under a load. i never really noticed it until after i got the 4.30s in it. what could it be? if it is timing, is that something i can change myself? or should i take it to the shop?

brad94GT · Feb 4, 2009

are your headers bolts tight

TxCobrA98 · Feb 4, 2009

i was gonna say could be just an exhaust leak? hard to say if you dont know where the noise is coming from.

Steven · Feb 4, 2009

bad gas, octane to low, things of that nature. Timing and fuel quality plays a roll.

CC'S95GT · Feb 4, 2009

if an exhaust leak is ruled out and don't forget the egr tube. try changing the brand of gas you use. or increasing the octane. another thing i just thought of; what is the water temp when the pinging occures?

Hoseitdown · Feb 5, 2009

its usually cool... it stays below the N in NORMAL, ont he temp gauge... i run 93 octane, which is the highest around here... the car isnt loud like it has an exhaust leak.. my car dont have a dizzy, so how do i change the timing? is it something i can do myself, or should i take it somewhere?

BigTang · Feb 5, 2009

2 ways to change the timing, 1 w/ a steeda or mac timing adjuster, it goes on the front of the balancer and changes the pick up point for the sensor either direct for advance or retard. the other is to take it to a shop and have it tuned.
I ran some sea foam through mine(in the intake and the gas) and then did plugs and it cleared up when it was pinging.

Hoseitdown · Feb 5, 2009

could i just have the timing set? i dont think it actually needs a tune.. i dont really have anything,.. well, nothing that makes a diff about tuning. just a cold ait kit, gears and some welded on mac dumps...

BigTang · Feb 5, 2009

yes, they can just set the timing w/o a tune, it may clear up the pinging but you'll loose power. Is the car in 100% tip-top shape as far as everything goes, I wouldn't spend a dime on trying to fix the issue w/o making sure the plugs/wires/fuel filter and all that crap is good 1st.

Hoseitdown · Feb 5, 2009

they have just been replaced.

CC'S95GT · Feb 5, 2009

do you buy gas from the same station? try changing companies (brands). some companies use different additivies and that might be your prob. sorry i can't help you out more. imma mod motor rookie