Slight pinging noise

[VinceH]

I was wondering if anybody would know anything about a slight pinging noise comeing from the engine under very light exceleration. I have an 2000 rodeo v6 3.2l with 63000mi
Thanks

[Ramblin Fever]

What grade of fuel are you using?

[2eyefishclaw]

ther is a pcm progrom udate that should reduce the spark knock

[57HotrodVW]

Originally Posted by 2eyefishclaw

ther is a pcm progrom udate that should reduce the spark knock

I'm experiecing the same behavior with my '00 Rodeo with everything by premium gas (92 octane).

Can you give us more details on this PCM update?

Thanks!
--Eric

[2eyefishclaw]

not a warranty issue it is concidered by Isuzu to b an adjustmnet I dont know what your local dealer will charge you to do it something else to check spark plugs there were a bunch of them that left assy line with champion plugs they dont work very well replace them with the denso plugs

[2eyefishclaw]

by the way have you ever tried 87 octane fuel
afterall that is what they are set up to run most efficiently on

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by 2eyefishclaw

by the way have you ever tried 87 octane fuel
afterall that is what they are set up to run most efficiently on

Granted, I don't have the 00+ yrs - however, my truck was notorious for the "pinging" problem in low altitude on 87 octane, specifically Las Vegas, NV. Truck even pinged on very light acceleration.

Moved to Denver 4 yrs ago - it now only pings on a steep climb, i.e. Loveland Pass thru Eisenhower Tunnel. I have, in the last year, started putting in 5-6 gallons of 91 mixed with 87 - NO pinging what so ever.

I had that PCM program done in 98-99, somewhere around there. Didn't do a darn thing for me, as it pinged just as much leaving the dealership that same very day.

I personally wouldn't do it, if I recall, it changes the timing just a tad - but I can't remember enough to be positive. Had I known that ahead of time - I wouldn't have done it.

Just concentrate on a clean fuel filter, good quality gas, keeping your tank at no less then 1/4 full, and air filter is important here too.

Also try running a couple of full tanks of a higher octane. In the winter, when it drops below 32 for a week or more, I start using "HEET" - every 3rd-4th tank full. Takes any moisture out of the gas.

[amigo-2k]

http://www.geocities.com/endre_rl/isuzufaq.htm#faq3

[VinceH]

Thanks for all the replys, I have been using 87 octane and adding Redline fuel injector cleaner about every 5th tank full. Does anybody know where I can purchase Denso plugs? All of the local shops here (Redmond WA.) have know idea or they point me in the direction of NGK.

[57HotrodVW]

Originally Posted by VinceH

...Does anybody know where I can purchase Denso plugs? All of the local shops here (Redmond WA.) have know idea or they point me in the direction of NGK.

Take a look at the following links:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ighlight=denso

http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1363272&mfid=3

http://www.geocities.com/endre_rl/isuzufaq.htm#faq15

--Eric

[rodeo02]

I wouldn't worry too much about slight, occational spark knock/chatter. It's the constant, steady stuff you want to worry about. If it's done it since day one & you made it this far, you might as well turn up the radio . They say, running higher octane fuel than what the engine is rated for will lead to excessive carbon build-up, due to the slower burning properties of high octane fuel. Not to mension the waste of $$. I have read one or two posts over the years that the PCM/ECM "update" resulted in a feeling of less power & increased fuel consumption, or like Ramblin' saw, the update did nothing at all. Keep your EGR system squeeky clean, and experiment with different brands of gasoline or gasoline adds to see if they help. My 2002 3.2L will chatter sometimes. Almost never when I use ethanol blended fuels, which are pretty common in my area. At the price of gasoline these days, I refuse to put anything other than "regular" 87 oct gas in my 'zu. Can't afford to. I dont see how new denso plugs will help your situation, but it certainly wont hurt to atleast get them out to check & re anti-sieze them. Believe me, 2000+ 3.2/3.5's are so !@#$ sensative, they'll let you know if they are not getting along with their spark plugs .
G/luck
Joel

[VinceH]

Thanks for all the info, I did have the update done a while back because it was knocking pretty hard under acceleration and it did take care of that problem, I haven't heard the pinging in the last few days but I will look into replaceing the plugs, maybe it will take care of the hesitation it has sometimes under aceleration. Does anybody expieriancethat as well?

[Tom01Rodeo]

I had the pcm updated and installed the Denso plugs last summer because the pinging was too much for me to bear, especially when pulling my jet skis. The update cost me an hour labor at the dealership, total was around $70. The plugs I couldn't find locally, had to order them from www.sparkplugs.com . I still get pinging ocassionally but not nearly as bad as it was.