Wow that is definitely telling. So I wonder how long it will take them to pony up with the ecm update.

 

I figure if we get at least 50 people on the sign up list for this pinging problem, we can get some gears rolling we can all synchronize and call consumer affairs .. haha

 

Although the dealer has told me Infiniti keeps track of the number of complaints of certain problems and when they reach a certain amount they address the problem.

 

Thanks for the info. I agree, if everything else is checking out okay, then that points to an a/f ratio table that's out of whack.

Foo G, I meant did you try to data log your ign to see if it's all ragged like a pinging issue would indicate (ie.. ecu pulling back timing) Can you monitor the KS?

I wonder if the Z guys have this problem?

 

I have not performed any drive time data logging. I do not recall seeing a knock sensor during my previous connection. I have wondered if it was there but since I haven't had the time to do a drive and data log so I haven't looked that hard.

I will this weekend though.

 

So the squeaky wheel does get the grease

 

you know this is gonna sound like a real noobish question and YES i did use the search function, i cant find exactly how u guys can tell your car is pinging... i know for Mercedes or BMW the ecu will retard the timing so you can never really tell if ur pinging or not.. i know the G's ecu is not as advanced as the euro's but im assuming it still retards the timing and when it does it takes care of the pinging problem (my assumption) however you loose power once the ecu retards the timing...

i've done a lot of mods on my car, and it wouldnt surprise me that my car might be pinging, but is it one of those u can hear it if u know what ur listening for, or will it be something that is very noticable... and most importantly what should i look for?

 

If you accelerate and only hear smooth engine operation, then everything is probably okay. The engine runs so lean that even retarding the timing does not resolve the pinging.

 

think of the sound a can of spray paint makes when you shake it. That bal bearing knocking around in there sounds about the same as the engine the engine is not firing properly.

 

subscribed..

 

I've been having the pinging issue. so now I try to accelerate smoothly instead of punching it from light to light. I've notice light pinging between 2000 - 3000 rpms under heavy load.

Now will a ecu reflash to correct a/f ratio help with the pinging if it corrects being lean or rich.

 

I have the knock from day one. Initially I thought it was drive line noise. Driving lesiurely and up shifting around 3500 rpm, the moment the clutch is engaged (foot off pedal), as I start to accelerate out of that gear, I hear the knock for a split second, then it goes away until I change gears again. I also hear it when I'm heavy on the gas pedal. I took it to the dealer and their answer was to use premium gas and they never heard of this problem. Of course I replied, I've been using premium gas from day one, Sunoco 94, as well as premium gas from Esso and Shell (91 octane). The cooler weather did not make any difference, I've drove in -15 C temperature and it still knocks. My only concern is the knock can cause engine damage as I plan to keep the G for a while. I currently have 13000 Km on the odometer. I plan to make another visit to the dealer and I am also keep an eye on this thread for possible solutions.

 

I don't think the cooler air will help any. The problem (I think) is that the G is tuned to run too lean at that particular rpm range. I think a proper tuning is all that is neccesary to get it to run correctly without pinging. We all wish infiniti would update our air fuel mappings, but chances are it's not going to happen unless we all band together somehow and make it happen. I'm going to get my G tuned this upcoming week with a unichip to resolve the pinging problem. I'm tried of dealing with Infiniti and I will never buy another one nor will I ever recommend anyone else to buy one if this is how they treat their customers.

 

So I took my car back from the dealer on Friday. Below is the invoice word for word:

EXCESSIVE ENGINE PING... CK AND ADVISE
IMPROPER INTERNAL SIGNAL.
REPLACE A/F SENSOR B2, AND AIRFLOW METER.

Parts
HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR-22693-CD700
AIR FLOW SENSOR-22680-7S000

CLIENT COMPLAINT ENGINE PING INTERMITTENTLY. ROAD TEST CAR WITH CLIENT TO VERIFY NOISE. CLIENT HAD INSTALL COOLER FACTORY SPARK PLUGS IN CAR. CLIENT HAD ALSO BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS BEFORE. FIX LINE REQUIRED HAVE FACTORY SPARK PLUGS PUT BACK IN AND HAVE CLIENT COME BACK WITH EMPTY FUEL TANK, WHICH HE DID. FILL UP TANK WITH 91 OCTANE FUEL AND HAVE SERVICE MANAGER TAKE FOR AN EXTENDED ROAD TEST TO CLEAR OLD FUEL.

REROAD TEST CAR AGAIN. STILL PINGS BUT NOT AS NOTICEABLE. CHECK ENGINE AND THE REST OF ON BOARD SELF DIAG. NO FAILURE CODE STORED IN CONTROL UNIT.

CHECK IGN TIMING, GOOD WITHIN SPEC 15BTDC.
CHECK AIR INTAKE, AIR CLEANER, AND VACUUM, NO LEAK.
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL, AND COOLANT. GOOD.
CHECK EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM FRONT TO BACK. NO LEAK.
BUT CLIENT HAD AFTER MARKET EXHAUST SYSTEM INSTALLED FROM REAR CATS ALL THE WAY BACK. FACTORY Y PIPE TO SINGLE EXHAUST SYSTEM , AND CENTER MUFFLER MISSING. CAR HAD AFTER MARKET DUAL EXHAUST PIPES ON.

MONITOR ALL INPUT AND OUTPUT DATA, FOUND ALPHA WAS A LITTLE HIGH 125%. MONITOR AIR FUEL SENSORS, AND REAR O2 SENSORS. FOUND AIR FUEL SENSOR BANK 2 CHANGE VERY LITTLE WHEN ENRICH MIXTURE. RECORD DATA A/F SENSOR B1 .835V, BUT A/F SENSOR B2 HARDLY CHANGE 1.30V.

CALL FIX AGAIN. FIX RECOMMEND INSPECT B2 AIR FUEL SENSOR CIRCUITS. IF OK REPLACE SENSOR. POSSIBLY AIRFLOW SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO.L CHECK ALL AIR FUEL SENSORS CONNECTION , GOOD. NO CONTAMINATION. REPLACE A/F SENSOR B2. NOW BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT DATA RESPONSE EQUALLY. BUT ALPHA STILL HIGH, AND CAR STILL PINGS A LITTLE. REPLACE AIR FLOW SENSOR, NOW ALPHA DROP DOWN TO ABOUT 105% TO 115% BUT CAR STILL PINGS A LITTLE.

COMPARE CAR WITH ANOTHER 2005 G35 6 SPEED SEDAN WITH SIMILAR AFTER MARKET EXHAUST SYSTEM. BOTH CARS HAD VERY SIMILAR LOUDNESS OF PING IN SAME DRIVING CONDITION. NO PINGING WHEN COLD, ONLY FULLY WARMED UP. AND MOST NOTICEABLE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING AFTER KEY CYCLE AND SLOWLY GO AWAY.

ROAD TEST SEVERAL G35 2005 AND 2006 WITH FACTORY EXHAUST SYSTEM THEY ALSO PING SLIGHTLY UNDER SAME DRIVING PATTERN, CONDITION, AND TEMP. BUT NOT AS LOUD AS CARS THAT HAVE DUAL PIPES WITH AFTER MARKET EXHAUST SYSTEM. TALK TO INFINIT, AFTER MARKET EXHAUST CAN CAUSE LESS BACK PRESSURE WHICH CAN AFFECT COMBUTION TEMPERATURE. SLIGHT PING DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITION IS NORMAL PER INFINITI.

 

So basically pinging is an inherent characterisitic of the VQ35...oh well...