Engine ping under light throttle

Jhill · 02-25-2017, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nis350

great explanation. it is a quick metallic ping. it goes away as soon as she lift the throttle and re-accelerate fine within a second or two and runs well from there at any speed.

Again, the engine is quieter and smoother than my newer/lower mileage Z. And the exhaust also sounds much better, but that's a different discussion

Our main concern is the long term effect of this issue. The ping normally last just 1 to 2 seconds at 1500 rpm or less.

Also may want to go to dealer and see if you pcm has the latest flash. It's not super common for the Japanese lines I have worked on to do a lot of re flashing like the German and GM to fix issues but there have been some and it doesn't hurt to ensure your running latest software.

Optimiser · 02-25-2017, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill

This is what I meant when I said most cars I have worked with (so that's not the z as I only have my own for comparison) but if they ping it is right at throttle tip in from cruise and is momentary. Typically this is in a part of the map with high ignition timing as they want good throttle response and max torque since you are trying to accelerate. Not every car does it even within the same type of car and climate and fuel quality play a roll (acura MDX were fairly picky since they are also heavy and use high comp ratio as well). As for long term damage, not being able to hear if yours is a light ping that instantly gets corrected or if it's bad knock and not correcting would make a big difference, the first one I personally have not seen one fail catastrophically by light ping that gets corrected quickly.

Again if you really want it gone I would go to Seb and he will actually tune it for 91 octane with two ign maps one for summer and one for winter (hot climate/cold climate).

I also experience this condition when everything has warmed up, exactly as described, taking off from a stop where I have been just sitting in traffic idling for a bit. I always wondered what it was and it was never tuned out, or couldn't be tuned out.

PaulNYz · 02-27-2017, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimiser

I also experience this condition when everything has warmed up, exactly as described, taking off from a stop where I have been just sitting in traffic idling for a bit. I always wondered what it was and it was never tuned out, or couldn't be tuned out.

Have you ever had any issues from it?

Optimiser · 02-27-2017, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulNYz

Have you ever had any issues from it?

No I have not.

nis350 · 02-28-2017, 12:10 AM

were there any pcm flashes available in the last few years for our motor?

we took the car in for transmission fluid change in 2015 and they didn't mention anything outstanding for the car. do the dealers only offer them for cars under warranty?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill

Also may want to go to dealer and see if you pcm has the latest flash. It's not super common for the Japanese lines I have worked on to do a lot of re flashing like the German and GM to fix issues but there have been some and it doesn't hurt to ensure your running latest software.

nis350 · 02-28-2017, 12:13 AM

at what mileage did this condition start?

our car started around 60k miles.... it was fine before that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimiser

I also experience this condition when everything has warmed up, exactly as described, taking off from a stop where I have been just sitting in traffic idling for a bit. I always wondered what it was and it was never tuned out, or couldn't be tuned out.

PaulNYz · 03-03-2017, 04:04 PM

After putting in a tank of 93 (about 4.5 gallons of 91 left in the tank), I no longer here any pinging after about 50 miles. I assume the ECU had to adjust or something.

Optimiser · 03-03-2017, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nis350

at what mileage did this condition start?

our car started around 60k miles.... it was fine before that.

As long as I can remember. Both when NA and now boosted.

Jhill · 03-05-2017, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimiser

As long as I can remember. Both when NA and now boosted.

Well it should be able to be tuned out if it truly is ping from ign. I see your on uprev and from what I have heard is that it doesn't have as much control over timing as ecutek. Maybe do a log and look for knock detect/ ign correction and see what's going, just a thought.

As to post above asking about if the dealer will check if your car has latest software. The answer there is most likely a big fat NO. Sadly techs are paid by a system called flat rate which is a time focused pay system not a quality focused pay system so they are there to get your car in and out as fast as possible with zero ***** given. Very few will go the extra mile and they usually end up leaving the industry after a while cause of all the BS, glad I'm out but miss the diag.

ZoomZ · 03-05-2017, 04:14 PM

What octane gas, NOT brand that is important. Run min. 92 for several tanks and see what happens.

What oil are you using? The VVEL requires the right oil. Go to Nissan and get the Ester oil if recommended by your owners manual. Otherwise, don't use a conventional oil, at the very least, try Mobil 1 5w30.

Jhill · 03-05-2017, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZ

What octane gas, NOT brand that is important. Run min. 92 for several tanks and see what happens.

What oil are you using? The VVEL requires the right oil. Go to Nissan and get the Ester oil if recommended by your owners manual. Otherwise, don't use a conventional oil, at the very least, try Mobil 1 5w30.

Original poster already said he is using 91 which is the highest you can get in CA without spending 6.00 a gallon for 101 or 110 I forget what is available at special stations.

ZoomZ · 03-05-2017, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill

Original poster already said he is using 91 which is the highest you can get in CA without spending 6.00 a gallon for 101 or 110 I forget what is available at special stations.

Then oil is next. 91 should be fine.

PaulNYz · 03-05-2017, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZ

Then oil is next. 91 should be fine.

Just out of curiosity, what would switching to ester do to get rid of the ping?

Jhill · 03-05-2017, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulNYz

Just out of curiosity, what would switching to ester do to get rid of the ping?

He is thinking you are hearing the vvel system and not ping as it is known to be a noisey valvetrain. I was on the assumption you guys are already running a high grade oil (I hope).

ZoomZ · 03-06-2017, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulNYz

Just out of curiosity, what would switching to ester do to get rid of the ping?

Yes, as Jhill has described. The VVEL was designed with the idea that its components surface coating ( Nissan calls it Diamond like coating) would actually interact, on a molecular level, with the Ester oil and provide a "constant" film of lubrication to prevent this "tick" "chatter" "interference" or what ever you like to call it.

It was more apparent in the Infinity Cars with the VQ37VHR engine, because the cars had better sound insulation than the Z, so the theory is, those owners picked up on it versus us deaf Z drivers.

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03-03-2017, 04:04 PM	#37 (permalink)
PaulNYz Base Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 124 Drives: 12 sport 6MT Rep Power: 9	After putting in a tank of 93 (about 4.5 gallons of 91 left in the tank), I no longer here any pinging after about 50 miles. I assume the ECU had to adjust or something.

03-05-2017, 04:14 PM	#40 (permalink)
ZoomZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 785 Drives: 17' 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 40656	What octane gas, NOT brand that is important. Run min. 92 for several tanks and see what happens. What oil are you using? The VVEL requires the right oil. Go to Nissan and get the Ester oil if recommended by your owners manual. Otherwise, don't use a conventional oil, at the very least, try Mobil 1 5w30.