this happens everytime I crak it up. Its an actual ping sound . It happened on my friends car when she cranks up hers too. It never did this a year ago but now it has this ping noise. My car also use to crank up alot Quicker, as soon as I turn the key its on. I mean literally very Quick. Now It cranks up but not as Quickly. What could be the problem? And does this happen to your cars as well? Is it common? PLease Help!

if it has an auto tranny it could be that the ring gear
is about to go. particulary, if it is becoming harder to
start. Take your starter off and look at the ring gear teeth
for signs of wear.

Pinging for some seconds at crank up might be caused with one (or more) worn HLA (hydraulic lash adjuster).
I've read a lot of discussions on the subject, and the common idea that it's not a problem and not harmful for the engine.

DDD

Yeah man, mine takes a while to crank. The pinging sound, does it disappear when you drive it, or does it increase when you accelerate? If it increases when you accelerate, it is the gasoline actually exploding instead of burning in the cylinders. Usually this is due to a lower than recommended octane in the gas you use. Try switching to premium gas or go to Advance Auto Parts and get some octane booster. See if that eliminates it. If not, I can't help you. Good luck

and the engine starts it goes "PING!" right then and there, no pinging when I drive though. Its just when I crank it up its just one ping. sometimes when I turn the key to crank it up and let go of the key alittle bit early it doesnt ping. it just turns on. Yes and my car is an auto.