Pinging
I have a 2018 with a 5.0 and I’m Not sure if it’s detonating but does anyone else notice a pinging or rattle sound which I believe is pinging from running 87 octane? I’ve been running 87 for years at this point but I’m noticing it’s pinging when the truck is usually at low rpm before a downshift etc. how bad is this for the motor?
I also notice some type of rattle sound when coming off of the gas at times, not sure if anyone else has experienced this?
I also notice some type of rattle sound when coming off of the gas at times, not sure if anyone else has experienced this?
Last edited by sik02gt; Jul 8, 2023 at 05:45 PM.
I have a 2018 with a 5.0 and I’m Not sure if it’s detonating but does anyone else notice a pinging or rattle sound which I believe is pinging from running 87 octane? I’ve been running 87 for years at this point but I’m noticing it’s pinging when the truck is usually at low rpm before a downshift etc. how bad is this for the motor?
I also notice some type of rattle sound when coming off of the gas at times, not sure if anyone else has experienced this?
I also notice some type of rattle sound when coming off of the gas at times, not sure if anyone else has experienced this?
Firstly...engine pinging...my engine also pings periodically but not regularly.
Pinging is also known as pre detonation so it is firing before the piston has risen to the top.
An engine will reach its optimal fuel consumption/performance at the point just before the pinging process begins.
As such, I leave mine alone as I just did a 3000 mile round trip and I averaged 23 mpg.
If yours is pinging more frequentyly it may be wise to get it loked at.
The rattle you refer to is known as the "off-throttle" rattle.
My truck has had it since I drove it off the lot.
Ford has a TSB for the rattle which does improve(reduce) the rattle some but does not completely get rid of it.
The off-throttle rattle does go away after about 5 mins of driving.
Ford says the rattle will not impact performance or longevity.
Not sure I beleive them but 5 years and 60k miles so far and no issues.
Just a note:
Be a little careful about how the terms Ping and Pre-Ignition are used.
They are related but are not technically the same thing and are not interchangeable in a description.
Ping is the Ignition system fires the charge to early in the piston stroke location. The cylinder pressure rises to early when the Piston to Rod is to near a straight alignment and cannot apply it's torque to the Crank for the power stroke. What you hear sounds like Marbles in a shaking can. This can also result from fuel with too low Octane or oil contamination in the fuel mix at time of combustion that also lower the effective Octane.
.
Pre-Ignition:
This occurs when there is a hot spot in the cylinder chamber that ignites the charge before the plug sparks. It is uncontrolled combustion. Note the term PRE.
The sound is a hollow like heavy knock. This is not good for Rod or Main Bearings, pistons, head gaskets etc especially under heavy loads such as towing at low speed and large throttle openings.
.
Low speed spark knock is relatively new and is due to direct fuel injection into the cylinder on the Piston compression stroke [all valves closed] where there is less time for mixing with the moving intake air through the open intake valves and port injection.. The result is a bit like a Diesel where the fuel oil is combusted by cylinder compression a short time before the ignition fires the plug..
.
Detonation is a totally out of controlled ignition from over heating, cylinder carbon accumulation glowing, hot spots etc and can really do damage if run that way to long.
Again, take care of the terms used unless your sure of what you hear and under what conditions..
Good luck.
Be a little careful about how the terms Ping and Pre-Ignition are used.
They are related but are not technically the same thing and are not interchangeable in a description.
Ping is the Ignition system fires the charge to early in the piston stroke location. The cylinder pressure rises to early when the Piston to Rod is to near a straight alignment and cannot apply it's torque to the Crank for the power stroke. What you hear sounds like Marbles in a shaking can. This can also result from fuel with too low Octane or oil contamination in the fuel mix at time of combustion that also lower the effective Octane.
.
Pre-Ignition:
This occurs when there is a hot spot in the cylinder chamber that ignites the charge before the plug sparks. It is uncontrolled combustion. Note the term PRE.
The sound is a hollow like heavy knock. This is not good for Rod or Main Bearings, pistons, head gaskets etc especially under heavy loads such as towing at low speed and large throttle openings.
.
Low speed spark knock is relatively new and is due to direct fuel injection into the cylinder on the Piston compression stroke [all valves closed] where there is less time for mixing with the moving intake air through the open intake valves and port injection.. The result is a bit like a Diesel where the fuel oil is combusted by cylinder compression a short time before the ignition fires the plug..
.
Detonation is a totally out of controlled ignition from over heating, cylinder carbon accumulation glowing, hot spots etc and can really do damage if run that way to long.
Again, take care of the terms used unless your sure of what you hear and under what conditions..
Good luck.
Just a note:
Be a little careful about how the terms Ping and Pre-Ignition are used.
They are related but are not technically the same thing and are not interchangeable in a description.
Ping is the Ignition system fires the charge to early in the piston stroke location. The cylinder pressure rises to early when the Piston to Rod is to near a straight alignment and cannot apply it's torque to the Crank for the power stroke. What you hear sounds like Marbles in a shaking can. This can also result from fuel with too low Octane or oil contamination in the fuel mix at time of combustion that also lower the effective Octane.
.
Pre-Ignition:
This occurs when there is a hot spot in the cylinder chamber that ignites the charge before the plug sparks. It is uncontrolled combustion. Note the term PRE.
The sound is a hollow like heavy knock. This is not good for Rod or Main Bearings, pistons, head gaskets etc especially under heavy loads such as towing at low speed and large throttle openings.
.
Low speed spark knock is relatively new and is due to direct fuel injection into the cylinder on the Piston compression stroke [all valves closed] where there is less time for mixing with the moving intake air through the open intake valves and port injection.. The result is a bit like a Diesel where the fuel oil is combusted by cylinder compression a short time before the ignition fires the plug..
.
Detonation is a totally out of controlled ignition from over heating, cylinder carbon accumulation glowing, hot spots etc and can really do damage if run that way to long.
Again, take care of the terms used unless your sure of what you hear and under what conditions..
Good luck.
Be a little careful about how the terms Ping and Pre-Ignition are used.
They are related but are not technically the same thing and are not interchangeable in a description.
Ping is the Ignition system fires the charge to early in the piston stroke location. The cylinder pressure rises to early when the Piston to Rod is to near a straight alignment and cannot apply it's torque to the Crank for the power stroke. What you hear sounds like Marbles in a shaking can. This can also result from fuel with too low Octane or oil contamination in the fuel mix at time of combustion that also lower the effective Octane.
.
Pre-Ignition:
This occurs when there is a hot spot in the cylinder chamber that ignites the charge before the plug sparks. It is uncontrolled combustion. Note the term PRE.
The sound is a hollow like heavy knock. This is not good for Rod or Main Bearings, pistons, head gaskets etc especially under heavy loads such as towing at low speed and large throttle openings.
.
Low speed spark knock is relatively new and is due to direct fuel injection into the cylinder on the Piston compression stroke [all valves closed] where there is less time for mixing with the moving intake air through the open intake valves and port injection.. The result is a bit like a Diesel where the fuel oil is combusted by cylinder compression a short time before the ignition fires the plug..
.
Detonation is a totally out of controlled ignition from over heating, cylinder carbon accumulation glowing, hot spots etc and can really do damage if run that way to long.
Again, take care of the terms used unless your sure of what you hear and under what conditions..
Good luck.
You must realize a 2018 5L has rated compression ratio of 12 to 1.
Fuel Octane becomes marginal at 87 on these high CR engines. Chamber deposits and depending on whos' gas you are putting in your tank.
In your owner manual, look at page 186 very first paragraph.
A little ping is not a worry but continuous and heavy, demands better fuel. Every engine and usage are not created equal.
You could even be hearing low rpm knock caused by direct injection, as described above.
If you have E15 at a lower cost, that will likely solve it for you.
I also have a 2018 and run everything from E10/87, E15/88 to E85 with no issue at 77k miles.
I don't run 89, 91 or 93 but stay with the low price 3 and get all he power I need.
E85 is well over 100 Octane if desired.
Starting, Idling, Running, the PCM adapts to any of these fuels.
Good luck.
Fuel Octane becomes marginal at 87 on these high CR engines. Chamber deposits and depending on whos' gas you are putting in your tank.
In your owner manual, look at page 186 very first paragraph.
A little ping is not a worry but continuous and heavy, demands better fuel. Every engine and usage are not created equal.
You could even be hearing low rpm knock caused by direct injection, as described above.
If you have E15 at a lower cost, that will likely solve it for you.
I also have a 2018 and run everything from E10/87, E15/88 to E85 with no issue at 77k miles.
I don't run 89, 91 or 93 but stay with the low price 3 and get all he power I need.
E85 is well over 100 Octane if desired.
Starting, Idling, Running, the PCM adapts to any of these fuels.
Good luck.
Last edited by Bluegrass; Jul 9, 2023 at 04:45 AM.






