I find that I need to use mid-grade, 89 octane gasoline, in my 1999 3.0 flex fuel Ranger to control pinging. On 87 octane it pings under hard acceleration, especially accelerating up hill. I stiil get mild pinging with the mid-grade. Is this common? Thanks.

 

yep all 3.0 engines i have seen do this sometimes

 

thats what mine is doing now. i am going to have my thermostat changed when i do the coolant too.

 

If you have been using a K&N air filter, the MAF sensor will get contaminated from the dirt & oil being passed by the K&N. This will cause a lean condition, which will lead to pinging. Try cleaning the MAF sensor, and replace the K&N with an OEM paper filter.....

 

Mine dont do it but I use 93 octane!

 

That is probably the most asked question after "will these tires fit".

Not ragging on you, but do yourself a search for "ping", grab a beer, coffee, whatever and start reading. You'll be at it for a while.

Cut to the chase, and stand by for the flaming, but here I go again.....Changing to a 180 degree thermostat cured mine. I also did the hot water bypass (HWBP) by replacing my heater hoses, eliminating the T's which routed coolant to the intake. You're in FL, you certainly don't need THAT.

Some swear by a seafoam treatment (I've never done it), others use fuel additives (techron), others use different heat range spark plugs, etc. If you have an oil-soaked air filter (K&N, etc.) you may need to clean off the oil from your MAF (search again) as previously said by Takeda. True words. But I did say "oil-soaked", rather than properly serviced. I've never had an issue with mine, though I do periodically clean the MAF and throttle body, butterfly plate, etc.

There is also a computer re-flash (I've not done that either) for some years. I think that was in a TSB (NHTSA.com) for that.

So, wait for all the arguments to ensue an make up your own mind. I'm 46, cheap, handy with a wrench and VOM and an $8 thermostat cured mine. Yes, my heater control gets turned higher when it's really cold out. Yes, my truck warms up just as fast as it ever did. Yes, my temp gage reads slightly lower than in it did before. And yes, I still occasionally top off a 3/4 full tank of cheapo 87 gas with some nice 89 or 93 if I'm feeling like pounding through the gears.

You may want to spray your plug wires with some soapy water from an old windex bottle too. May have a bad wire or two. If you do it at night, you might see the arcing.

For $25 you can do the 180 degree thermostat, HWBP with new heater hoses, and a new set of good old autolite or motorcraft plugs.

Might as well do a coolant flush and refill while you are at it. Whew. Sounds like a fun Saturday under the hood, doesn't it?


https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...highlight=ping

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...highlight=ping


You should read BOTH of these threads, to start.

 

^^^ Dont forget "Will this lift work?"

 

I use E85 which is 105 octane and my truck runs GREAT! I dont get as good as gas milage but the extra horsepower and cheaper fuel (about 50 cents less) is well worth it.