02 GT Auto with spark knock issues

Fill it with 87 octane only so it knocks like crazy. then drop it off at the dealer and tell them you won't pick it up until FIXED. Also call Ford and complain. They need to run on 87octane period.

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** I literally do not know what to do next. I've had this thing to the dealer 4 ** times for detonation issues under full throttle between shifts.

It could be a dirty MAF problem. This has happened to me in the past. I now clean it yearly and have ZERO pinging problems.

Purchase a can of CRC Electrical Contact Cleaner (non-chlorinated preferably). Unplug and remove the MAF. (This is the large, round silvery object with a black box screwed into the top of it, right behind your air filter box.) Spray the 'element' liberally; in fact, spray the whole thing if it's dirty inside. Allow to dry, then reinstall.

If you own a set of tamper-proof Torx screw drivers, you can just remove the element from the top of the MAF. Few people own a set of these - $10 at Pep Boys if you want to own them.

If the MAF element gets dirty, it sends a skewed electrical signal to the computer telling it that there is less air comming into the engine than is actually flowing. The computer cuts the fuel mixture based on this information, and you get pinging. Because there is no 'knock sensor' on this engine, the computer has no clue that something is wrong.

Many people here have benefitted from this information. Give it a try and let us know what happens.

Incidentally, do you use a K&N filter? This is often the culprit behind problems like this.

-JD

-------------------------------- Enlightenment for The Masses: http:/207.13.104.8/users/jdadams--------------------------------

Run it on 91, 93 or 94.

Some cars just need it more than others. Feed it what it likes.

| | Incidentally, do you use a K&N filter? This is often the culprit behind | problems like this. |

I *totally* disagree that the K&N is the culprit. The culprits are the people who own K&N filters and don't follow the recharge directions, and let the filter air dry for 24 hours. This results in an over-oily condition, and the wet oil can coat the MAF filament, which then sends the wrong voltage to the EEC.

I've used K&N on my cars and bikes forever. The secret is that you have to have 2 of each. Keep one clean, oiled and ready to go at all times. Let it dry and then store it in a freezer bag (or something similar) to keep the dust out.

Some cars like 91, 92, 93, or 94 octane because something is wrong. Especially if the program is written for 87 octane.

I do not have a K&N. The GT is totally stock with 36,000 miles.

JD,

I'll give it a try and see what happens. I asked the dealer about this on the 3rd visit. They said that everything checked OK. I'm assuming that it checked OK at idle on the diagnostic machine. I'll let you know how it turns out.

No K&N here. I thought about getting one, but I want to get all the issues worked out before I do anything with it at all.

Marc

This isn't entirely true. There's different blends of 87 (and other octanes, for that matter) for different seasons in different locations. For example, when my GT was stock the 87 in Norman OK burned just fine. Six months after I bought the car I took it to St. Louis and the 87 there made it ping like a bitch from the name brand stations like Mobil, Chevron, etc. I moved up to 89 and *poof* no more ping.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tom

1998 GT Coupe 5-spd. Bright Atlantic Blue K&N FIPK, Tri-Ax, 3.73's, FRPP Coated Shorties, SpeedCal, P&P 2K Heads, 2K Intake, Bassani X-Pipe and Cat-Back, Subframe Connectors, JMS Chip, Eagle Alloy Wheels

octane booster,custom chip,timing ajuster, stroked 351 with a carb?

Add a supercharged DOHC 5.4 to the list of suggestions.

Marc

** JD, ** ** I'll give it a try and see what happens. I asked the dealer about this on ** the 3rd visit. They said that everything checked OK. I'm assuming that it ** checked OK at idle on the diagnostic machine. I'll let you know how it turns ** out. ** ** No K&N here. I thought about getting one, but I want to get all the issues ** worked out before I do anything with it at all.

Cleaning the MAF element should be an essential maintenance item anyway, and it can't hurt to spray it off while you're waiting.

Did the pinging problem start recently, or has it been there since it was new? I knew a guy who suddenly started having MAJOR pinging problems. It even pinged at idle. The dealership was stumped. They finally tested the fuel. The cause turned out to be an AH neighbor who thought it would be funny to pour some kerosene into his fuel tank one night.

-JD

-------------------------------- Enlightenment for The Masses: http:/207.13.104.8/users/jdadams--------------------------------

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Even without K&N I have seen them get dirty. Any filter still elts in dirt. K&N's just let in more dirt. On my 95GT I always used the standard filters and I would see dirt on the sensors. worth trying

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Why Ford still uses unlocked gas-caps is a mystery to me. First thing I replaced when I bought a new mustang. (ofcourse I still have to put it on but.. it's parked inside anyways) ofcourse the new mustang uses the most expensive locking gascap that stant has ! doh.

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** Why Ford still uses unlocked gas-caps is a mystery to me. First thing ** I replaced when I bought a new mustang. (ofcourse I still have to put ** it on but.. it's parked inside anyways) ** ofcourse the new mustang uses the most expensive locking gascap that ** stant has ! doh.

Hmmm. Interesting point. I've never installed a locking cap on Charlene. Looked it up once, and didn't find anything listed. I'll have to check again; Stant makes damn good locking caps. It was a Stant cap that thwarted some AH, dirtbag druggie neighbors I had the displeasure of sharing the Earth with about 15 years ago; they snuck into my garage one night and tried like HELL to pour a bag of sugar down the pipe. They worked the cap over with a hammer and screwdriver, but it wouldn't budge. In desperation, they poured a bit of sugar around the opening to frighten me, but I knew better: that cap never came off...HA!

Of course, they later worked that old Chrysler over in other ways. They cut the brake lines, kicked in doors, glued locks, sliced tires, sliced valve stems, busted windshields, even fired up a chainsaw and cut a big hole in the trunk once. It's amazing what a tweaker will do when they're bored, hurting for a fix, and don't have any money.

I'll poke around and see if I can find that cap. I have one on the Beater of course, but since the GT is locked and garaged, I didn't see the need. Now that I've reminisced a bit, I now see the need.

-JD

-------------------------------- Enlightenment for The Masses: http:/207.13.104.8/users/jdadams--------------------------------

Have you tryed switching gas stations? What is the brand of gas you are buying?

Why don't you just run premium all the time. It's more expensive, but not that bad. Just try buying 100 octane for a supercharged stang if you want to know what I mean.

You didn't buy a larger MAF anytime recently, did you?

If it's under warrantee, you can always blow the engine up from the pinging. Make sure you have documented your complaints.

John

If it keeps pinging, you may have no choice in the matter.

John

I'm not constistant with what gas station I use. However, the pinging is consistant. That tells me its a problem with the car.

Using higher octane because the car isn't running correctly isn't a good fix, nor does it set the basis for future projects on the car from a reliability stand point.

Bone stock.

Not a viable option for me. No sense in that.

Marc