ping

Hi.
I have an 02 Windstar 3.8. I'm getting a ping sound, or clatter, (just like with an older car when the timing was too far advanced) especially when hot, and under slow acceleration. I replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, air filter, cleaned the mass air flow sensor, and tried premium gas. No change. I've always used regular gas with no problem.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Oldmanlat

I would call the dealer and see what they would charge for a PCM timing upgrade.. It cost me 74.00 in Fayetteville NC.. Which was a good deal to me..Had the same issue also on my freestar. Under warranty so that was free.

I had the exact same thing happen on my 02. Check your IMRC linkage bushings.

FORD has a TSB about the IMRC linkage as a cause for pinging.
They say to verify that the actuator is connected to the shafts.
What happens is that the nylon clips break or fall off......and the shaft that has the "butterflies" in the lower intake manifold no longer turns.
This can happen on 1 side and not the other....and this results in the PCM not being able to ballance the motor out.

The other thing that can cause this is a vaccum leak.....not serious enough to set a failure code....but enough to lean out the motor enough to ping.
There is another TSB to fix this.....a bit more involved......
A great site for this is here
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

Another cause can be carbon build up inside the cylinders from excessive oil being drawn in.
FORD's solution to this is to reprogram the PCM with a program that slightly retards the timing.

For a fuel injector cleaning.....the most effective one that I have found out of MANY that I have tried is Berryman's B-12 Chemtool.....in the metal can.
You can find this at many auto part stores, like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts.

FORD has a TSB about the IMRC linkage as a cause for pinging.
They say to verify that the actuator is connected to the shafts.
What happens is that the nylon clips break or fall off......and the shaft that has the "butterflies" in the lower intake manifold no longer turns.
This can happen on 1 side and not the other....and this results in the PCM not being able to ballance the motor out.

The other thing that can cause this is a vaccum leak.....not serious enough to set a failure code....but enough to lean out the motor enough to ping.
There is another TSB to fix this.....a bit more involved......
A great site for this is here
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

Another cause can be carbon build up inside the cylinders from excessive oil being drawn in.
FORD's solution to this is to reprogram the PCM with a program that slightly retards the timing.

For a fuel injector cleaning.....the most effective one that I have found out of MANY that I have tried is Berryman's B-12 Chemtool.....in the metal can.
You can find this at many auto part stores, like AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts.
Thanks for the info. I did have broken plastic bushings on the IMRC rods. I replaced them, then I had to replace the plugs. They got fouled badly driving it without the IMRC. (what a pain replacing the rear 3) I'll investigate the PCM upgrade, and try the Berryman's FI cleaner.
Thanks again. I'll keep you posted.
Regards,
Oldmanlat