NO matter what I do, the pinging on my Crown Vic is persistent especially when flooring it after reaching operating temp. I downgraded the plugs from Denso Iridiums to Mexican-made "OEM" Motocraft SP-493s. Gapped at .050 according to user who has a 1998 Grand Marquis who have stated that gap spec will stop the ping, to which he is greatly mistaken. I really don't know what to do at this point. Car will drive fine, gets me to where I need to go no problem.

It's in the MAF. IF it is dirty, clean it with electrical or MAF cleaner. If it is not dirty, replace it. It usually takes running a K&N filter to make them dirty.

I found Autozone has the Delphi brand, which is a good brand. Ordered online with a 20% off deal, and either get free delivery or pick it up in the store.

FYI, there is already an active thread on this subject.

Al

I guess you'll have to look at the thread. People never follow up with good news, they only [censored] when there's a problem.

On my 94-97 T-Birds and Cougar, it was always the MAF that caused it. The MAF is not getting a good reading, so less fuel is injected in, causing a slightly lean A/F mixture, and pinging. It's a common problem with the older Fords.

In my most recent case, I wasted enough money on 89 octane over a year that I could have paid for a MAF. So I finally forked over the $110, and no more pinging.

So either buy a MAF, or start running 89 octane. Or don't do anything. Or spend the MAF money on a mechanic's diagnosis.

Al

I can get my '97 to ping on hard accel if it's hot.

I used to get pinging all the time and found it was the MAF. That calmed it down quite a bit.

If the MAF doesn't solve it, try a single heat range lower spark plug.

Well, you got to do something as engine detonation isn't good for the engine in the long run.


As far as MAF sensor, I used FORScan to see the actual voltage readings. All was in range, but after cleaning I did see improvement in voltage, and when I switched to a lower mileage junkyard MAF sensor it had a noticeable impact in acceleration.

I never thought to buy a new Motorcraft MAF sensor because during the time I had ping issues they were going for 350$ ( complete housing) but I just checked again and now I can get a new Motorcraft MAF sensor (just the sensor alone) for 150$ so I just might buy it for s$$$t and giggles.

Monitor live data on a scan tool. See MAF reading and fuel trims to determine if there is a lean condition.

This is going to sound crazy - but have you checked the DFPE sensor and EGR operation?

I went through this for 50,000 miles on my old 01 Taurus. Thankfully it was under warranty, but it was at a time before a lot of mechanics (even dealer ones) knew how to troubleshoot OBDII vehicles.

It pinged awfully once warm. Always felt like it was running super lean. And it would misfire a bit when at part throttle cruise.

They did a lot of stuff under warranty. Reprogram the computer numerous times, replace computer, "induction service", replaced a bunch of sensors, checked that timing was right, colder thermostat, no thermostat, 93 octane gas.

This happened from 19000 miles (when it was bought used with Ford's warranty) all the way up to 72000 miles.

One day it threw an EGR code. Replaced the DFPE sensor and it never pinged again.

By all means check your MAF, as they can and do frequently go bad-

...but there are dozens of other things it could be, all of which need to be looked at objectively with facts and data before the parts cannon is fired up.

Remember to check for TSB's too, the factory is not perfect either!

I have little of anything useful to add, just wanted to commiserate as I'm dealing with a similar problem atm.

Thanks for this thread. I have had pinging on my 99MGM since I got it in 2019. Been on and off and tried everything to stop it. Only thing that worked was running 91 octane gas but with gas so high all of a sudden I just cant afford it.

Saw the DFPE sensor mentioned above and picked one up brand new on ebay for 20 dollars. Some are listed for even less but I wanted to splurge and get a good one. Its in a terrible spot on my 99 right behind the passenger head bolted on towards the firewall. Basically impossible to get off so just pried it until it broke off then switched the plug and lines to the new one and zip tied it in place.

Car idles better, no pinging, smoother acceleration etc. My EGR valve is less than a year old and my idle air control valve and MAF censor cleaned and brand new plugs coils less than 2 years old ect. I went though everything pretty much but didnt even know the DFPE existed. I recommend it to anyone who has a lot of miles on theirs.

Feels so good to put it to the mat on 87 and wind all the way up with no ping what so ever just feels so much stronger.