What are possible causes for chronic pinging?

**TurboLover** · 05-09-2008 05:42 PM

I need some help. My car has a case of chronic pinging. Here are the details
2001 a4 1.8T, 75K miles the car will ping when on flat ground and you floor it, it will ping really bad if you have low rpm 2K-2500K in 3rd gear up a slight hill and you floor it. Up shifting in this case helps but it will still ping.

This is driving me nuts as I can't seem to figure it out. What could be a cause of this I should check out? I am starting to suspect a bad MAF, is there a way to test the MAF? Thanks.

**t1demont1** · 05-09-2008 06:14 PM

Is it pinging, or misfiring?

Pinging could be running low octane gas,premium only, or too much advanced timing.
Misfires could be caused by a bad maf, bad plugs, or bad coil pack.

**khj677turbo** · 05-09-2008 07:27 PM

Sounds like misfires. Could be a boost leak and you wouldnt even know. You should pressure tests, but first check your plugs, i was dealing with misfires, checked my plugs, and found that one had burnt the resistor (white ceramic part) and the plug was no good, once i changed it the car ran perfect.

**Nor_Cal_Driver** · 05-09-2008 08:58 PM

Could be plugs.

**baboom** · 05-09-2008 09:11 PM

or the icm is it constant or just maybe when you get on it???

**NUISANCE** · 05-09-2008 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Nor_Cal_Driver

Could be plugs.

Agreed, I would check these. I had a wicked ping and it turned out to be the plugs.

**TurboLover** · 05-10-2008 08:54 AM

Thanks everyone, sorry for the delay. I did change plugs not too long ago, say 6-9 months ago hoping this would solve this problem. Question - how to know the difference between a misfire sound and the detonation pinging sound?
I run preium gas, high octane regardless of the cost. I usually get the sound as described by baboom, when I either get on it or give it extra gas up inclines.

**Nor_Cal_Driver** · 05-10-2008 05:50 PM

What plugs did you put in? Watch out for gas with 10% ethanol blend too. Are you chipped?

**TurboLover** · 05-12-2008 10:53 PM

Yes chipped, APR. I try to stay away from the 10% ethanol crap as much as possible. As for plugs, honestly can't remember, but nothing cheap, emailed Matrix in Portland for a reconmendation and went with what they suggested.

Would a bad blow by value have anything to do with it? I am still suspect of the MAF. Can it be cleaned, tested, or ??? How about a new one, where is a good price on a new one?