To double check, pinging sounds like rocks smacking around in engine right? Well today I was driving on the highway and I went WOT, I noticed this sound and backed off, i went back into WOT to test it again and it sounds like im pinging a little at WOT, could it just be bad gas because ive never had this before and it doesnt seem to happen all the time. Any ideas on how to fix pinging, i just had a tune up so i dont think its the plugs but well anything can be possible

 

i'd describe pinging as a clattering sound, sort of like the motor is full of little rocks and it can't spit them out.

bad gas (very low octane) is one of many causes of pinging. also excess heat due to carbon buildup or lean mix. one very common cause of a lean mix is the normal PLENUM leak.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_knock

 

+1 on what vaughan said.

Check the plenum gasket first. If it's blown, it's causing the ping, a loss of MPG's, burning oil unnecessarily, and a perceivable loss of power if it's bad enough.


If you find the Plenum is fine and suspect cheap gas is the culprit try a bottle of Octane booster, but use a good, strong one and not more than 1 bottle. Look for the change in octane numbers, not points: 10 points=1 octane number e.g. 87-88 octane.

That should let you get through that tank of gas, then go to a better gas station that sells top tier fuel. www.toptiergas.com

 

I have pinging at WOT as well. I use nothing but Chevron gas.

 

could i just take off the air box open the tb and look down with a flashlight without having to take the tb off?

 

you can try, but its hard to see down in there. a smaller flashlight might work better than a big one. dirty stain is normal, but a puddle of oil in the back corners is a sign of leaking gasket. you'll want to also double check/compare with the vacuum test. just sort of a guess from reading on the various dodge forums - unless its been fixed, i'd say 95% of all 5.2 and 5.9 magnum engines have this leak.

 

also, most pinging can be eliminated by using a high octane gas 92-93. it'll cost you out the wazoo, but it'll stop it until you can fix the problem. it stopped mine. actually 89 octane stopped mine. cooler plugs (autolite 3923) might help, might not, they didn't help me.

 

thx, ill check to make sure, but i dont think i have a leak i feel no loss in power just that little of sound at WOT

 

Mowhawk, to add to what vaughn said, I noticed a bit of improvement with the cooler autolite plugs.

Anybody have any advice on this question: I really like the NGK v power plugs or whatever they are called, could I just find those in one step cooler like the autolites??

You lucky non-California-ites have 93 gas, all we have here is 91 haha

 

I just moved to CA and i have the mopar chip which calls for at least 92. It sucks.