I recently had my MAF replaced and it temporarily solved my knocking and pinging. I only use super unleaded from Chevron and for some reason the problem came back. It only happens under light acceleration. Could this be a bad knock sensor? It annoys me that a car w/ this much performance would do this. Has anyone else experience this problem? If so, what did you do to resolve the issue....or do I just have to live with the problem.....

 

Hate to tell you the bad news, but before you change the coils I suggest you try another MAF. It sounds like a faulty one. Also, make sure to change ur air filter when you do. If the replacement does the same thing, the solution would be the coils which are expensive to replace

 

what mods do you have?



what? dont touch the coils.

 

When was the last time the cooling system was flushed? I ask this becoz if the cooling system isn't good then there are hot spots on the engine block which traps excessive heat which inturn results in poor heat exchange and therefore pinging.

Offcourse coils are the first culprit but then look into flushing the cooling system if you haven't done it recently.

My pinging disappeared with 2K1 coils and a cooling flush.

 

from what i understand, the VQ35s dont have widespread coil issues.

 

true...

not a whole lot you can do except complain to Nissan...1-800-NISSAN-1

 

My car is all stock and I service it on a regular basis. I flushed the cooling system a few months ago. How do you know which coils need to be replaced? I'm not getting any codes and the care accelerates fine w/ no hesitation.

 

If it's not the coils then what else could it be? I've tried everything under the sun, and nothing has worked. I'm starting to HATE MY NISSAN!!!!! There's no reason this car should knock and ping....AHHHHH!!!!

 

My solution was to turn up the stereo a little bit louder.

 

I feel your pain! I've had so many annoyances with my 03 and I've only had it about a year and a half. I also had pinging/knocking under light load at right about 1800-2000 rpm. I got fed up so at 28k miles I figured I'd give the car a tune up....tranny flush to Amsoil synthetic, fuel filter, new plugs & new front pads. After that my pinging went away......I believe it was my plugs, they look like dogsheet after only 28k and needed to be changed. I'd definately do hte plugs before coils.

Oh yeah, while I was changing the plugs I found that I had a bad valve cover gasket in the rear.

 

I did the fuel injection service, tranny flush, and radiator flush a few months ago. I will see if changing the plugs will make a difference. I'm not holding my breath though....

 

do you have the updated PCM program for the new maf uploaded?

 

I had it done at the dealership and it was programmed per my invoice.

 

Has anyone had a bad knock sensor? Could this be the problem?

 

Hey zmax, I just got some new stock heat range iridiums that I plan on replacing on my 2002 that has 60k miles on it this weekend. You mention the rear valve cover gasket was bad, did you see a lot of oil on the side of the head? When you replaced it, did the old gasket have a noticeable gash/cut on it? From my experience, these valve cover bolts aren't usually torqued down well at the factory, perhaps to prevent kinks etc, and just tightening them up a bit is all that is necessary. Is your pinging still gone?
Just wanted to know your thoughts.

As far as the pinging goes, I have had this light pinging on my 02 from when stock and even now headered/catback. I have also had my base timing returned to stock 15* btdc, and I also run a pcv oil catch can etc. and the ping is still there. I am hoping that these new plugs will finally end this klinglinglingilinging.

 

good call.

ive never had pinging, but im using two step colder steel plugs.

 

from 1800-2000 rpms? please dont tell me that the knocking u hear under the car you are saying is pinging....

 

I had the stealership reaplace the valve cover gasket since the car was under warranty. The entire boot that covers the plug was encased in oil, fyi it was the right rear.

Perhaps I mistated myself before, I've had the VTC knock and what I believe to be some light pinging as well, and with the plug change both are gone. I don't understand why the knock would go away but I'm not complaining. I also changed over from a WIX oil filter to the larger OEM Nissan filter.

Every time something like this happens I get the urge to trade the Max in for a Legacy GT Limited. If the damn thing got better gas mileage I think I would have done it already.

Good luck, I've had my car in the shop about 7 times in under 18 months for annoying nuisances.

 

I also think that Legacy GT limited or even better the spec B, is the best all around car for the money but I still think 30k is a lot to spend on a car.
I always wanted the performance of the STI without the ghey interior and raceboy styling, the Legacy does just that.

I think new plugs just may just be the answer for all the 5.5 gens suffering from this pinging. My theory is that all this oil pcv blowby the 3.5 engines are known for is prematurely fouling the "100k" mile platinum plugs earlier than expected. I believe that the catch can mod will do its job protecting the new plugs once they are installed the ping should be gone for good,

maxownsyou, I don't know if you have a 5.5 gen but we don't have knocking issues, it is slight preignition/pinging and is no where near that serious.

 

I agree, but the 06's are going dirt cheap now. I've been reading and hearing of people getting into Limited for 24-5k. Looking for a slightly used 06 on the Legacy forums and the guys are gettting 21-22 with maybe 10k mi at most.

Sure gives me something to think about!

If all plugs wear the way mine did, then there is no way my car would have lasted another 70k on them....I would guarantee misfire and hesitation issues would have came up.

 

Is there a particular plug that you guys would suggest other than the stock replacements? Again, thanks everyone for all your input. I don't know where I'd be without the people in this forum...

 

Is it valve chatter at that speed? I'm having a similar issue and the dealer says that he can't find it (still under warranty). I only brought it once, though.