Pinging noise

I have a pinging noise at times in my 2001 truck. Sounds like the gas tank. Do the tanks vent thru the gas cap or somewhere else??

I have a pinging noise at times in my 2001 truck. Sounds like the gas tank. Do the tanks vent thru the gas cap or somewhere else??

Gas cap should be sealed so the tank has a vacuum on it.
Does it do it with cap on or off?
Any codes setting?

I haven't tried leaving the cap off. It does it when I'm driving down the road, stopped at a light, it even does it 20 minutes after I shut the truck off. It just randomely ping on accassion. It just sounds like the gas tank to me, but it could be anything. I haven't checked for any codes. The check engine light has never come on, I don't know but I just assumed that the check engine light comes on when there is a code in there

I haven't tried leaving the cap off. It does it when I'm driving down the road, stopped at a light, it even does it 20 minutes after I shut the truck off. It just randomely ping on accassion. It just sounds like the gas tank to me, but it could be anything. I haven't checked for any codes. The check engine light has never come on, I don't know but I just assumed that the check engine light comes on when there is a code in there

I have never heard a gas tank ping but always a first time.
But to be sure Get a trained ear to listen to it.
Two heads and 4 ears are better than one.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

I just thought maybe the tank was not venting and was expanding and making a pinging noise I guess it could be the muffler doing it to.

Anybody else have any suggestions?? Does the gas tank vent thru the cap?? Sounds like a big aluminum can with a dent in it suddenly gets expanded and makes a single pinging noise.

Its probably the exhaust system or even a heat shield around the exhaust. does it have an aluminum driveshaft?

Anybody else have any suggestions?? Does the gas tank vent thru the cap?? Sounds like a big aluminum can with a dent in it suddenly gets expanded and makes a single pinging noise.


As said gas tanks do not vent threw the cap . The cap seals the tank so the engine can pull a vacuum on it if all is working right.

Makes sense. it seems to do it as it heats and cools. I'll look at the driveshaft tonite. I don't know if its aluminum or not.

It is your Muffler. Your muffler is as big as your Gas tank :) It expands and retracts as heat is passed through it. Your gas tank does not heat up that much, if it did, it would have a high risk of exploding.

Is there any fix other than replacing the muffler?

It,s the gas tank on my 01.
See OIL CANNING SOUND: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=646603

The Muffler is next to the Gas tank.. And since the Muffler is hallowish it would make a pinging metel sound. IF the gas tank were to expand or retract. you would hear more of thumping sound because of the weight of the gas in the tank dulling out the sound. Before I removed my muffler, it would make that pinging sound all the time. Now, it's gone.

I guess I need to camp out under there to be sure.
I am going on Whalerboys statement in the oilcanning post that he was under his when it pinged.
I would just like to sort out where it's comming from and add it to the list of pings, ticks, squeak, and bump sounds.
Best way to fix is to turn up the tunes!

I'm confused now is it the tank or the muffler?

I'm confused now is it the tank or the muffler?

Good question.
You might have to craw under there and look around.:grinyes: :grinno: :lol:

I would say it is your muffler. if you have a full tank of gas, it will not make a pinging sound.. and since it is constant no matter how much gas you have, that leaves the muffler.

Posible that a baffle in the muffler has broken free from its welds and the temperature causes it to move , building up tension and release(ping) .

That is a very good point!