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Comments
Having said that, I only rotated my first set of Geolandars front-to-back and I had fairly even wear even at 45K miles.
Dave -- Light pinging isn't a problem, but knocking is. If it's really bothering you, try 92 gas just to see if that stops it. If not, I'd go see a dealer; maybe even a different one for a different opinion.
Ken
-mike
-Colin
I still had not hit the wear indicators even at 45K miles. I had about 1/16" remaining. The winter season was coming so I decided to err on the safe side and replace them.
Ken
I, too, would like to cross-rotate the tires on my 00 OB. Does anyone here know whether the Firestone's have symmetrical tread patterns?
TIA,
Brett
Len
Dennis
I think way back when radials were first introduced there was something about the tire construction that made it necessary to keep the rotation front/back.
I believe the owners manual has front/back listed because it's the most conservative of all rotation patterns -- it'll work with all tire types.
Ken
My 2000 Subaru pings too - under light load at around 2000 rpm (generally 70 degrees and above). Different grades of fuel and different brands have had no effect on the pinging. The only time it doesn't ping is when it is cool out. A number of other people posting to this board have had the same problem.
The district service rep is driving it this Thursday to download data for the SOA engineers. Last download didn't work. Basically, Subaru doesn't have a fix for this yet. I have a feeling it's going to require reprogramming the software in the computer. I hope they a fix soon since the pinging I'm getting is worse then my old 71 beater Volvo running on reg. unleaded. I'm going to insist on a carbon flush when they do find a fix.
-Eric
Any ideas as to what the problem might be? I plan on taking it to the dealership - however, I have no experience with the local dealer and would like to have a sense of the differential diagnosis before dealing with them (so that they cannot give me the run-around). Thanks for any advice/info/help.
I would crawl under the car and take a look at the various boots (black bellow looking plastic covers). I belive there are 6 in the front 1/3 of the car. If any of them are cracked get that one replaced ASAP. If any are torn then you will probably need to replace the joint it protects as well.
-Colin
I do have to give the dealer credit - at least they seem concerned about the pinging. They won't come out and say it's bad but you can tell the service rep thinks there is an issue. When I met the district service rep. last time he spent a lot of time talking about different fuels. He thought the noise was coming from the transmission which I disagree with. Patti's been great to work though.
Bottom line though! Regardless of different fuel types thoughout the country - the engine should not ping and Subaru needs to find a fix. I am going to hold them liable if there is any engine damage.
-Eric
I told my last dealer about it and they blamed it on a vacuum line. Of course, it started with the next oil change.
My problem is that I kept losing patience and resetting the ECU myself. I've recently found another dealer for service but since I'm out of the 36k warranty I'll likely just do the "reset the ECU 3 times routine".
Anyway, yeah we've seen quite of few of the pinging post lately. Hope they resolve it.
Dennis
Anyway, just looking at it from another angle, if there's a sudden influx of ping encounters on this board - could there be a commonality with the batch of gas out there.
-mike
Figured I just blurt it out - maybe it would hit something.
I'll keep you posted.
Patti
-mike
Dennis
Greg
-mike
We plan to try to the dealer again soon, but it seems rather futile considering the response we've gotten so far.
-mike
Dennis
To summarize - octane and brand have no effect. Pinging occurs anytime the temparture is above about 70 degrees. The pinging does not appear to occur until the engine is at around normal operating temparture. Pinging occurs under acceleration and climbing hills at around 2000 - 2500 rpm.
-Eric
bit
bit
bit
Eric, climbing hills at 2000 rpm?
Try downshifting. Or if you must try that hill in whatever gear at 2000 rpm, decrease throttle input.
Let me know if the pinging still occurs after this.
-Colin
It's an automatic. When you're climbing a steep grade the transmission shifts down and revs climb above 2500 rpm, and the pinging does not occur. The pinging occurs when the grade is not steep or the transmission has shifted back up and the revs drop to around 2000 rpm. If I manually shift down and pop the revs back up the pinging disappears. The pinging occurs in all gears but only at around 2000 - 2500 rpm. It also pings in city driving when accelerating - same thing at around 2000 rpm. As the revs climb above about 2500 rpm the pinging disappears.
-Eric
BTW, I'm not in any way trying to downplay the reports of pinging. Just looking at the issue of accelerating uphill from such a low RPM.
Ken
Kate, pinging is more like marbles in a can, coins dropping usually is a heat shield expanding/contracting or catalytic converter.
-mike
bit
No way, there's no load on the engine.
Patti, there's some really good information here. Powertrain engineers should be able to duplicate this and then reprogram the TCU or ECU to fix it.
My guess... you're cruising along and the converter is fully locked up to help gas mileage. You accelerate a bit and since the converter is locked up there's no slippage to allow the revs to come up a bit. It needs to unlock the converter more quickly or upshift sooner. Or both. Engine tuning could help this, but I'd look at the tranny first.
Eric-- if you abruptly mash the throttle wide-open right when the hill starts, is the tranny smart enough to instantly downshift? Does it ping?
-Colin
Just to be clear, some ping and then a correction where the ECU makes an adjustment. I'm understanding your issue as being a "constant" ping that is duplicated by a dealer.
A thought? Could someone who is not having a ping concern, post what type of fuel they are using? Maybe some of the "ping" cars can try the same fuel for a few tankfuls and see what happens?
I am reporting this issue and I'll share what you are telling me. I am concerned and I'll do my best to try to help.
Patti
Here in MA we have oxygenated fuel and CA emission requirements.
Regards,
Frank
Regards,
Frank
Like a blind deer, I've got "no eye deer" what a PING is.
Ross
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"Just to be clear, some ping and then a correction where the ECU makes an adjustment. I'm understanding your issue as being a "constant" ping that is duplicated by a dealer."
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Yes. The pinging is sustained. If the car is under moderate load between 2000 - 2500 rpm it pings. Ron Brady has driven the car and has duplicated the noise. (Your probably aware of this since you have my case, although we haven't talked since Ron drove the car. He's driving it again tomorrow to download data for the engineers, but it's suppose to be cool here in Portland, so there is no guarantee that the pinging will occur - remember it is temparture dependent - usually occurs above 70 degrees.)
I really have to question the fuel brand issue. #1, I'm limited to two major brands nearby my home, Texaco and Union 76. #2, when I'm on the road I often don't have a choice of brands - I get what's offered at that off-ramp. (Remember out West we have a lot of open space so choices in fuel brands are limited.) I'm assuming the engineers are trying to find a fix to this problem since sticking with a specific brand is not practical.
-Eric
What type of driving do you folks who are having ping problems usually do, highway, bumper to bumper, or country road?
Regards,
Frank
Eric-- have you tried premium fuel? Whatever octane that might be in your area... probably 92. Because of climate, manufacturing tolerances, fuel quality, and a zillion other reasons not all cars will be able to use Subaru's initial recommendation of 87 octane. Let's also not forget that not long ago this EJ25 required premium fuel (96-97).
For example, my '99 Impreza RS has a fondness for premium fuel basically any time but winter. I have never heard detonation but I can feel hesistation and a lack of performance when it doesn't get what it likes. It took is rated for 87 octane fuel, and we don't have mandatory oxygenates in my area.
-Colin