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redr2
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
22:15:07

Subject: 5.2 Pinging??
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My 98 Dakota with the 5.2 5 speed is pinging under load especially up hills when I floor it. It doesn't do it if its in a lower gear and the rpms are up high but its really annoying. I just got it and am running 87 at the pumps, how can I make it go away!! Thanx.

Kurt



redr2
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
22:30:07

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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Oh and one other thing, I don't beleive its the belly pan gasket as it was replaced under warranty at about 65,000 kms before I got the truck (as it was going through oil like crazy)- it now has 90,000 kms on it with no oil consumption. As for the motor its all stock except for a K&N. Does the pinging hurt the engine over time? How do I know if the gasket is leaking again? (is there a test to do?) and is it easy change? Finally - how do I PROPERLY get rid of the pinging. Thank you.

Kurt



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
22:34:41

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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It should run on 87 octane without pinging, so first I'd try some premium just to see if it'd go away. First red flag would be the intake manifold belly pan gasket. When these things fail, they cause a vacuum leak which allows a run-lean condition to occur. Thus, ping! Normally, I'd go with a 180 degree thermostat first, but the intake gasket has developed a notorious reputation as a trouble-maker. The 180 stat would be a good idea for added anti-ping while the intake is off. Sorry. Sucks to have to do this on something you just got.



gen1dak
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11/17/2003
23:51:43

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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Pinging varies in degree and potential damage, but even minor ping damage adds up. Erosion of the piston ring lands, crank fatique..... As for oil consumption, it doesn't always add up that way, plus, if the leak is just beginning, or is in a different area, again, oil consumption may not be an issue, but ping will be. It could be a bad sensor, but typically when a sensor goes bad, the engine goes rich and isn't pinging. Typically, if it is the gasket, the ping will be reduced, but not fully eliminated by running higher octane (93 octane) fuel. Get up and look into the throttle body. You should be able to see an oily/sooty mess forming on the floor of the intake if it's a gasket issue. Another possibility is sticking injectors. If one sticks (in as little as 40,000 miles), it'll cause a run lean situation as well. These require serious cleaning due to hard deposits in the injector body. Have them professionally cleaned. Over-the-counter cleaners are great for soft deposits, but can't do much for the hard stuff. If an injector sticks, it leaks, the O2 sensor senses the extra fuel, and leans out the entire system. Ping! Knock off those two possibilities first.
Changing the intake gasket is, well, not too bad. The intake is at least easier to remove than the old LA's. Flip the intake over, and there's the gasket under a few bolts. No biggie. Better yet, eliminate it with an M1 intake.



redr2
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
23:43:48

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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Thanx for the responses, I just noticed today it does not ping when its cold. Its snowing here now and I have a full tank so I will wait a week or so to play with it. Whats the M1 intake worth - more HP i take it?

I will let everyone know on my progress.

Kurt




gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/20/2003
21:11:38

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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M1=more HP, particularly in mid and upper rpm bands. Will help some with stock cam, but naturally, the more cam, the bigger the gains. You'd lose a little on the bottom end, but it is a traditional intake in that it has no gaskets to blow out, only the standard gaskets for head and block sealing. Now, since you're not pinging in the cooler weather, that kinda answers the question right there. The cooler intake charge helps limit detonation with a possibly lean mixture, just like higher octane would.



TomK
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
00:57:13

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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I've got a 98 5.2 and want some more information on doing this m1 intake. I would love to upgrade mine but am not sure what I need to buy etc... any www sites or help ?



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
20:21:10

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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http://www.steigerperformance.com/MPIINSTALL/
Very helpful page.



Wch2106
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2003
10:05:48

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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I have a 99 Ext cab 4x4 Dakota w/5.2 and auto I also have a K&N filter. I have ping as well while running 87 octane, while going up hills and such. I changed to 93 octane, and the problem went away. I can also get away with running 89 with no problems but generally run with the 93. That way when or if I tow something, I have the 93 in the tank. I generally may tow or haul heavy loads a couple times a month. I think that if you try 93 octane, that your problem will go away. I bought my truck with 11,000 miles on it, and it pinged then. I now have 57,000 miles and I have run 93 octane for almost 4 years now, it has not pinged once since switching, even when pulling 4,000 lbs or more at highway speeds going up hills and such. I always pull with O/D locked out. This will also help with some of your gearing problem. Good luck, I would try the fuel first. I think that this will solve your problem, for a couple dollars or less every fillup.



Kurt
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2003
19:30:44

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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Ya I'm almost empty and will try the better gas. It has been really cold here lately and it doesn't ping with this cold weather so I may also try the lower degrees thermostat in the summer.

Thx,

Kurt



Kurt Bosnell
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2003
19:32:03

RE: 5.2 Pinging??
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How much is the thermostats anyway?

Kurt



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