It just got serious....

Some of you may have read my scathing posts about my pinging problem in the past......I'm finally ready to seriously tackle this as I REALLY can't take it anymore.
If I wasn't so stubborn, I would just run a bottle of Techron every 3K as apparently that solves the problem, right? I just hate having to do anything extra when my truck SHOULD run fine using 87 octane and nothing else.

Anyways, what should I do here? Can I do what I mentioned above and fix the problem? I would imagine that would be the cheapest.

I'm at 48K miles, by the way, 2002 3.2. My air and fuel filters are relatively new and clean (put in to try to fix ping to begin with) and my pcv has about 5K on it (also put in to fix ping).

I'm planning on buying some deep creep and soaking my intake and egr valve/port with it. Last time I cleaned my EGR it didn't help at all, though. Any helpful hints? I was simply planning to spray into the PCV hose, then into the throttle body and down the EGR tube. I don't even know where in the h*ll to buy pipe cleaners to really scrub the tube, though...
I don't think Sea Foam in the oil will help me here, but not sure on that.
I was also wondering if it's possible I have the Champion plugs....although I think that they only put them in the 00's from the factory and I DO still have the factory plugs. I don't particularly want to do this yet as I was planning on changing them somewhere around 60-75K, along with my tires and brakes. However, if I have to then I have to....

By the way, the "Shocktober" sales event is now the "Count Shockula" sales event, you can get the buy 3, get the 4th free deal right now from Monroe on Sensatracs.

1. Techron every 3k.
2. Seafoam (half can) the day before (or take it for a 10 mile ride) right before every oil change.
3. PipeCleaners, can be bought at art supply stores (or you can buy test tube brushes at Harbor Frieght).

My ping started at 17k and now at 67k it is for the most parts gone (doing the above).

If you look at your tail pipe you will notice carbon. And I will bet that the inside or your engine looks a lot like that too.

My '01 had the champions in it. It definitely helped the pinging to put the correct denso's in. I bought mine at sparkplugs.com

Tom C, I just don't see how your 2002 could be that carboned up given it's age, mileage and level of care. I check my '02 from time to time & it gets dirty in the common chamber (all vehicles do), but my EGR system has never been even close to being clogged. You should be able to spray intake cleaner thru the EGR base which will flush out the line to the common chamber (behind throttle plate) you will see the cleaner pour out the end of the tube/pipe. You must have tried different 'name-brands' of gasoline to no avail? Adding things to the fuel is cost prohibitive with today's prices, as is hi octane fuel. Any performance issues? Any check engine light? A severly carboned engine can cause higher compression and/or hot-spots that can lead to 'pinging', either that or the computer is advancing the ignition timing just enough to cause ping. I believe you had an oxygen sensor go out on you, correct? I did too. My guess is *something* is telling the computer to advance the ign. timing when it shouldn't. It's getting a false reading from somewhere (O2 sensor, MAF, temp sensor, etc...). This is not an easy game to play as the dealer will need to collect and interpret real time data from your OBDII port. Getting a dealer to do this on an unfamiliar problem is difficult and potentially costly to you. They'll usually give you the "you need a comlete engine decarbing and fuel system cleaning service" routine, which is total bunk and just a money maker for them. I'd compile all the data & service records you have so far, sit down with ANOTHER isuzu service manager & see what they will do for you. Like I've said before, if your dealer can't duplicate the concern or find the problem, you've still got a lot of 10yr/120K warranty left! Make isuzu buy you a new engine should you burn a hole in a piston.
G/luck
Joel

Actually, it's NOT under warranty anymore as I bought it used. I'm going to spray the crap out of the intake, and throttle body with deep creep and see what happens.
I know better than to take the "engine cleaning and fuel system cleaner" bait, don't worry.
I'll probably do all of this next weekend, as I'm swamped this weekend.
I'll let you all know how it goes.
If I have to start putting mid-premium grade gas in my truck, I'm selling it.

Actually, it's NOT under warranty anymore as I bought it used...

Oh no.. I didn't realize you only had the 5/60 warranty! I guess a good intake/combustion chamber cleaning cant hurt. One other thing to try is, reset the computer & see if the truck still pings in closed-loop mode. If you disconnect the battery, or clear codes thru the OBDII port, the computer system will (unbeknownst to the operator) go to a default mode of sorts & run the truck in closed-loop mode until it can re-establish data points to run off of all the sensors (open-loop). Closed-loop lasts quite a while, like a good 50 miles+. This might help determine if it's a carbon issue or a sensor/electronics issue.
G/luck
Joel