RJHink13

I was wondering if anyone knew if there would be any long term effects associated with 4cyl pinging? I dont plan on running anything other that 87 octane. I have the 06 XE KC 4cyl. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

SCarlblom1

Try some fuel system cleaner, or maybe some 89 octane just to clean the system out. I do this every couple months and seriously helps gas milage, can't imagine it would hurt to try.

dvdswanson

long term pinging could damage valves/pistons or both. mainly from early detonation. look at http://www.type2.com/library/engineg/ping.htm

spat

If you put the money that you save by buying 87 instead of 89 in a savings account, in a few years(maybe longer) when the engine is shot you still probably wont have enough to pay for a new engine. However have you checked all systems or had a qualified tech look into the problem.

BTW, I just found something that explaines why so many people can have spark knock even when they are running the recommended octane. Be forwarned this is info from a BMW site but it should still apply to all makes.

http://ibmwr.org/otech/octane.html

__________________
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Spat
Former Nissan Tech
14yrs ASE all but AT it's a bitXX!
New career - HandyMan/Electrician - Freedom at last!!

86.5 Nissan HB D21 234K Miles
94 Nissan Altima GXE ? Miles
97 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L 132K Miles
64 Chrysler 300-K 2-door Convertible 63K Miles

spursrock

Engine Ping Success Story!

Well I have to say that my engine developed a pinging noise right around 62K miles. Basically my frontier ran fine in the morning because the outside ambient temperature is relatively cool. After driving my car around for a while, 40min or so of stop-n-go traffic, I could hear the rattling noise every once and a while when accelerating or going up a hill. I had never put any fuel cleaners in my truck before, but I have used 87 octane fuel and nothing else for the full 62K. Evidently, using the 87 octane fuel for so long can develop some carbon build up in the engine. When the vehicle warms up and is being used throughout the day the carbon residue heats up as well, raising the temperature in the engine which can lead to pre detonation. This condition is what I refer to when I say "ping". So getting rid of the carbon build up was my goal.

After asking a good friend of mine that previously worked researching alternative fuels as well as conventional fuels in California (UC Davis), I was able to fix the problem.

Keep in mind I did not alter any factory settings, or "adjust" or "tweak" anything on my vehicle. I was able to resolve the problem with an excellent fuel system cleaner. And also keep in mind that this is no "overnight" fix either guys. You have to be a little patient, but it works!

Basically, I ran a couple bottles of berryman b-12 through my system and lucas upper cylinder lubricant and my truck runs like new. That's all I did folks! I put a bottle of berryman b-12 chemtool in my tank and then went through two tanks of gas (approx. 700mi.). After that, I put in a bottle of Lucas oil upper cylinder lubricant and went through two tanks of gas. After that I put in the other bottle of berryman b-12. That's it!!!!

The cost was $7 for the two bottles of berryman b-12 and $3.50 for the lucas product.

It runs just like she did on the test drive, even better actually because this engine has been "broken in" over time, and you really can't strain the vehicle on a test drive.!!

This process took about 6 weeks because everytime I put a product in my vehicle I ran two tanks of gas to get the most out of each product. You don't have to do this. And just in case you're wondering about the catalytic converter, no problems at all. None of this fuel treatment "plugged" it up.