05 6MT Engine Knocking Pinging
#1
05 6MT Engine Knocking Pinging
My 05 6MT, with 8500 miles on it, seems to have a knocking or pinging problem. Whenever I shift into a higher gear, and the RPM in this gear is less than 2000, engine ping will occur. Not for long mind you, the sensor is definitely picking it up, retarding the timing, and the ping goes away. But it seems to happen relatively consistently, and has been going on for over two months now. Here is what I’ve done to troubleshoot or resolve the issue:
- Always use premium gas. The car has only ever had Chevron, BP Amoco, or QT in it, all of which are 93 octane. Chevron and QT are both “Top Tier” rated, and it has pinged on them all.
- Taken it to the dealer. The test drive with the service manager went well, he heard it himself going into third at about 25 mph, and agreed it was engine knock. They ran diagnostics on the engine, found nothing, and found no codes in the computer. They were unable to find anything “out of spec”.
- Given it a “beating”. After allowing the engine (and hopefully the oil) to warm up for the first 10 minutes of the drive, I drove the remainder of the trip to work or home mostly in first and second gear, spending a lot of time above 5K RPM, with full throttle runs to 7K. This was an attempt to burn off any deposits that may have formed that could have been causing the pinging.
- Changed the air filter. At about 7000 miles I installed a K&N panel filter. Still pinged.
- Changed the oil about 3 weeks ago (when the dealer heard the ping).
Searching the sedan forum hasn’t turned up this same scenario, as near as I can see. Any ideas or similar stories?
- Always use premium gas. The car has only ever had Chevron, BP Amoco, or QT in it, all of which are 93 octane. Chevron and QT are both “Top Tier” rated, and it has pinged on them all.
- Taken it to the dealer. The test drive with the service manager went well, he heard it himself going into third at about 25 mph, and agreed it was engine knock. They ran diagnostics on the engine, found nothing, and found no codes in the computer. They were unable to find anything “out of spec”.
- Given it a “beating”. After allowing the engine (and hopefully the oil) to warm up for the first 10 minutes of the drive, I drove the remainder of the trip to work or home mostly in first and second gear, spending a lot of time above 5K RPM, with full throttle runs to 7K. This was an attempt to burn off any deposits that may have formed that could have been causing the pinging.
- Changed the air filter. At about 7000 miles I installed a K&N panel filter. Still pinged.
- Changed the oil about 3 weeks ago (when the dealer heard the ping).
Searching the sedan forum hasn’t turned up this same scenario, as near as I can see. Any ideas or similar stories?
#3
Originally Posted by shaigh
My 05 6MT, with 8500 miles on it, seems to have a knocking or pinging problem. Whenever I shift into a higher gear, and the RPM in this gear is less than 2000, engine ping will occur. Not for long mind you, the sensor is definitely picking it up, retarding the timing, and the ping goes away. But it seems to happen relatively consistently, and has been going on for over two months now. Here is what I’ve done to troubleshoot or resolve the issue:
- Always use premium gas. The car has only ever had Chevron, BP Amoco, or QT in it, all of which are 93 octane. Chevron and QT are both “Top Tier” rated, and it has pinged on them all.
- Taken it to the dealer. The test drive with the service manager went well, he heard it himself going into third at about 25 mph, and agreed it was engine knock. They ran diagnostics on the engine, found nothing, and found no codes in the computer. They were unable to find anything “out of spec”.
- Given it a “beating”. After allowing the engine (and hopefully the oil) to warm up for the first 10 minutes of the drive, I drove the remainder of the trip to work or home mostly in first and second gear, spending a lot of time above 5K RPM, with full throttle runs to 7K. This was an attempt to burn off any deposits that may have formed that could have been causing the pinging.
- Changed the air filter. At about 7000 miles I installed a K&N panel filter. Still pinged.
- Changed the oil about 3 weeks ago (when the dealer heard the ping).
Searching the sedan forum hasn’t turned up this same scenario, as near as I can see. Any ideas or similar stories?
- Always use premium gas. The car has only ever had Chevron, BP Amoco, or QT in it, all of which are 93 octane. Chevron and QT are both “Top Tier” rated, and it has pinged on them all.
- Taken it to the dealer. The test drive with the service manager went well, he heard it himself going into third at about 25 mph, and agreed it was engine knock. They ran diagnostics on the engine, found nothing, and found no codes in the computer. They were unable to find anything “out of spec”.
- Given it a “beating”. After allowing the engine (and hopefully the oil) to warm up for the first 10 minutes of the drive, I drove the remainder of the trip to work or home mostly in first and second gear, spending a lot of time above 5K RPM, with full throttle runs to 7K. This was an attempt to burn off any deposits that may have formed that could have been causing the pinging.
- Changed the air filter. At about 7000 miles I installed a K&N panel filter. Still pinged.
- Changed the oil about 3 weeks ago (when the dealer heard the ping).
Searching the sedan forum hasn’t turned up this same scenario, as near as I can see. Any ideas or similar stories?
#4
When shifting at that low rpm, that's pretty close to lugging the engine. When I shift that short, I always feather in the gas very gently to be sure I don't get any ping. That said, I've never heard my engine ping but once or perhaps twice--don't know if the difference is attributable to driving style or the car. (I am in an 04 6MT.) Are you sure you're not hearing a little gear rattle out of the transmission?
Last edited by Dudefish; 11-19-2005 at 11:14 PM. Reason: spealling
#6
2000 rpm's isn't "lugging" a mid sized V6 engine by any means.
I can drive my Subaru Legacy GT with it's Flat-4 Turbo around
at 2000 rpm's with no issues.
That said, my 2002 Maxima started to ping noticeably when it had around
40K miles on it. It would only be noticeable though when accelerating very lightly especially on an uphill grade, no matter how steep.
Our G35 only has about 2K miles on it and none yet, but it might
just be an attribute of the 3.5 VQ engine. We live in CA though
and have to put in our California 91 Octane crap gas, which is
worse then most states 91 Octane.
If your car is a lease, wouldn't worry about it. The light pinging won't really
do any damage, and any minor damage it causes won't affect the car until
long after you've turned it in.
Don't drive the car harder or shift later (wasting gas and YOUR money) when
it's not needed just to avoid a little bit of pinging.
I can drive my Subaru Legacy GT with it's Flat-4 Turbo around
at 2000 rpm's with no issues.
That said, my 2002 Maxima started to ping noticeably when it had around
40K miles on it. It would only be noticeable though when accelerating very lightly especially on an uphill grade, no matter how steep.
Our G35 only has about 2K miles on it and none yet, but it might
just be an attribute of the 3.5 VQ engine. We live in CA though
and have to put in our California 91 Octane crap gas, which is
worse then most states 91 Octane.
If your car is a lease, wouldn't worry about it. The light pinging won't really
do any damage, and any minor damage it causes won't affect the car until
long after you've turned it in.
Don't drive the car harder or shift later (wasting gas and YOUR money) when
it's not needed just to avoid a little bit of pinging.
#7
Misanthropic nut-cracker
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2000 rpm's isn't "lugging" a mid sized V6 engine by any means.
I can drive my Subaru Legacy GT with it's Flat-4 Turbo around
at 2000 rpm's with no issues.
That said, my 2002 Maxima started to ping noticeably when it had around
40K miles on it. It would only be noticeable though when accelerating very lightly especially on an uphill grade, no matter how steep.
I can drive my Subaru Legacy GT with it's Flat-4 Turbo around
at 2000 rpm's with no issues.
That said, my 2002 Maxima started to ping noticeably when it had around
40K miles on it. It would only be noticeable though when accelerating very lightly especially on an uphill grade, no matter how steep.
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#8
Originally Posted by Dudefish
Are you sure you're not hearing a little gear rattle out of the transmission?
Originally Posted by JustBrilliantX
Try raising your 'R's" a little bit and stop worrying 'bout 'mileage'. Your gas savings won't cover the repair $$$. UBCool, jbx
#10
Originally Posted by JustBrilliantX
A blanket statement with contradiction included....not bad. Do you actually know what's making that "little bit of pinging" noise that you feel is no big deal in lieu of the possible gas savings? jbx
You didn't read my post correctly.
2000 rpm's is NOT lugging the 3.5 VQ.
My point is, 2000 rpm's is lugging a 4 banger, especially a VTEC like
one where revs are needed to move the car around.
If you think you need to keep a V6 above 2000 rpms when crusing
around at public street speeds, you are simply wasting gas.
Of course I know what's causing "pinging". But again, you did not read
my post correctly. I stated, if you are leasing the car, it is NO big deal.
If you own the car and plan on keeping it and driving it for 100K plus miles
then yes it's another story. But who keeps new cars for more than
100K miles these days.
Personally, I wouldn't accept the pinging in a new car with 8K miles
on it. I'd require the dealer or manufacturer to correct the problem
with a new detonation sensor or fresh ECU tune of the engine.
#11
Detonation isn't normal when you are using the recommended fuel. It should not happen at any rpm. Is it possible you have some valve/cylinder head carbon deposits that are raising your compression ratio?
You're right that driving your car at 2000 rpm is not lugging at all with this motor. I normally drive around town at 1500 to 2000 myself.
I agree about finding another dealer or have them speak to tech support at Infinti to help diagnose the issue.
You're right that driving your car at 2000 rpm is not lugging at all with this motor. I normally drive around town at 1500 to 2000 myself.
I agree about finding another dealer or have them speak to tech support at Infinti to help diagnose the issue.
#12
Oh one other thing, try a good expensive bottle of
Fuel injector cleaner or gas/engine treatment in your
next couple fill ups.
They work surprisingly well and cured pinging I had
in a couple older cars in the past.
If it comes back after that, your car needs a fresh tune
from a reputable dealer....and that should be under warranty.
Fuel injector cleaner or gas/engine treatment in your
next couple fill ups.
They work surprisingly well and cured pinging I had
in a couple older cars in the past.
If it comes back after that, your car needs a fresh tune
from a reputable dealer....and that should be under warranty.
#13
Misanthropic nut-cracker
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Yeah I did ....I thought...lol. It got confusing when you went from the 'mid-sized' V6 not pinging, to the flat four, to your own 6cyl. pinging problems. Maybe getting old and having to get up too many times a night to **** is making me cranky. Is all good...so no biggie. I think that Shaigh should 1.) Have the temperamental knock sensor checked/ relpaced 2.)Try switching 'up' in his brand of gas (or switch stations), 3.) 'Flat line' his ECU using the gas pedal method and pick up his driving style to re-initiate his settings to a more aggressive style, 4.) Try the injector cleaner. I never said you should have ta cruise @ over 2,000 rpm. to avoid detonation.....just be a bit more aggressive in his 'launch' with a manual tranny. Cool? jbx
Last edited by JustBrilliantX; 11-20-2005 at 05:45 PM.
#15
Yeah after driving my car around town today slowly and watching the tach, I regularly ran down around 1700 revs, but only with very light throttle openings. I did say below 2000 was "close to" lugging, but even that was probably an exaggeration.
What I meant was, in low RPM situations, you do need to be careful with the throttle. Suddenly cracking in throttle at low rpms can induce a little ping. When I upshift at low rpms, I'll often not use any gas pedal at all until the clutch is fully engaged, and only then smoothly feather in a little bit of right foot as needed.
What I meant was, in low RPM situations, you do need to be careful with the throttle. Suddenly cracking in throttle at low rpms can induce a little ping. When I upshift at low rpms, I'll often not use any gas pedal at all until the clutch is fully engaged, and only then smoothly feather in a little bit of right foot as needed.