pinging

**shawn120** · 06-16-2008 06:32 PM

Does anyone know what might be causing the pinging I am getting. Its only under hard acceleration between 3-4000RPM. It lasts a second, and then the knock sensors must kick in becouse it goes away. It may be in my head, but think the hot weather has something to do with it also, as it seems to happen on hot days. I am running only 94 octane Chevron gas. It is a stock 1.8T 2004 A4.

I have taken it in, and they say the timing is showing up as normal?

Any ideas?

**sailor** · 06-16-2008 06:53 PM

Maybe it isn't really 94 octane.

Are you using stock spark plugs? I tried splitfire plugs in my tbird once and it pre-ignited like crazy.

**FourRings80** · 06-16-2008 06:57 PM

Having the same problem under load. The pinging only last a second on hot days. Vag-com and logs seems fine except my MAF on the threshold of going down hill. Have you done anything lately? I got chipped and changed my plugs a few week ago.

**shawn120** · 06-17-2008 08:30 PM

No I haven't done anything to the car. it is bone stock??????

**roman_pushkin** · 05-29-2009 07:25 PM

same problem 2003 a4 1.8t manual but it happens before 3k rpm and its stock

**A4SoftWalker** · 05-30-2009 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by shawn120

No I haven't done anything to the car. it is bone stock??????

Unless u want to start paying expensive repair bills now is time to start working on ur car.

What is the repair history? What are the miles? We are not psychic. No matter how hot it is stock config will not ping unless in very extreme/dilapidated conditions.

Seems like u need new plugs but cant really tell - coilpacks prolly not too far behind if ur still stock but depends on miles too

**texasboy21** · 05-30-2009 10:54 AM

List the mods. Do you have vag com? Lemmi?

Could be as simple as plugs, or something much worse!

barrett

**dirtybrd** · 05-30-2009 02:41 PM

I'd try plugs and a Seafoam treatment to clean any oil out of the intake and carbon of the pistons. Both of these will lower octane and cause pinging.

**mtbrider** · 05-30-2009 03:28 PM

^^agreed

**Drew-B6** · 05-30-2009 04:58 PM

x3 Try a new set of spark plugs and a seafoam treatment... It maybe could be an issue with your intercooler. I was having the same issue and I went to a FMIC and now the issue is gone, but I have a few mods.

**dirtybrd** · 05-30-2009 10:14 PM

Do the Seafoam first, then put the plugs in afterward.

**seattlematt** · 09-28-2010 05:50 PM

Was there any resolution to this issue? I've been having the same problem for some time and it seems like there are a lot of similar threads on this with no final resolution.

**POPO** · 09-29-2010 07:22 AM

Just curious, what exactly does pinging sound like? And how do you know your pinging

**MMMB00ST_A4** · 09-29-2010 07:40 AM

It is a very hard noise to explain, but to sum it up the best way i can would be; It kind of sounds like someone tapping on your hood with a pen. It use to happen on my APR3+ setup at WOT, until I ran seafoam, changed my spark plugs, and a fuel filter change(all normal preventative maintenance). Pinging is most definitely bad for you turbo/motor and should be looked into if you are hearing it.

PS: Pinging normally occurs when "peak" boost occurs, and I noticed it much more so on warmer days.

**JeffPgh** · 08-24-2012 06:58 PM

Same happening here - at 130k miles on a well-cared for car (stock) that I've owned since new. On my 3rd set of coils (all replaced by dealer for free) and replaced the plugs with OEM platinums 10k miles ago. My question is - OK to run Seafoam without changing the plugs again???