First of all, let me confirm that my engine is absolutely pinging. There is no mistaking it. It usually starts to "rattle" between 1700 and 2300 rpms, and ONLY when the engine is hot. The hotter it is, the more likely I am to ping. It usually pings under load, driving slightly uphill and sometimes even on flat ground. I've been running 87 since I bought the car so I figured I'd try premium. About a quarter of the way through a tank of premium, I still have pinging. I also suffer from some oil burning and a slight oil leak from the timing chain cover. I check it regularly, so it isn't low oil causing the ping. There was one time I let it go a little to long and the ping got very bad, but when I topped it off the pinging was reduced to the normal amount, but not eliminated. I've heard that an oil catch can eliminate pinging, but I don't understand it in my mind. I've also heard that switching to a colder plug will eliminate pinging. Is there a foolproof method? What would your next step be? Thanks!

 

Is it pinging or timing chain rattle? You say the noise is worse when the oil gets low which makes me believe the timing chain is rattling due to you running low on oil. Once the chain is stretched, all the oil in the world is not going to make the sound go away completely. I had the same noise when I had problems with oil burning.

 

I had pinging for months, every octan additive and all did nothing, turns out it was my MAF sensor, no code or nothing, replaced it, All solved.

 

I ran 1 tank of 87 gas and it pinged like urs is then i ran 93 gas and it took about 6 full tanks of it to stop pinging. Now it pings very very minor under load going up hill, so minor its no concern. But it takes some time.

 

same here. It was mainly under load, but once I changed the MAF(had to, it crapped out on me) the pinging was gone.

 

GOOD LAWD! unless im looking at a different MAF, those things are $250+?

 

I have the same issue on my 02. It pings under load and when car is hot. I only get premium fuel so it's not the fuel for sure. My pinging gets much worse when oil level is down one quart. Yes, my car burns about a quart every 1500 miles. Here is what i did today.

Ran with AC on. Pinging was pretty bad
Ran with ECO mode. ie AC was off. Pinging was very much there but reduced.
Ran with no fan. Pinging further reduced but not eliminated.

Ideas ???

 

May be you should turn off the stereo.

 

Does the Econ mode do anything outside of shutting down the AC? I haven't really used it or even heard about it that much.

 

It runs the blower without the use of the AC compressor

 

Wow, so it's basically a vent button? Weird...

 

New MAF also stop my pinging. I have a 03 and put in a 2001 MAF that was $80 delivered rather than $300 plus. Rock auto Dorman part. The 01 MAF was updated to the 5.5 I believe. I took the chance and I'm glad. You should be able to see the resistor on the MAF in the pics before buying.

 

Could someone kindly provide part no for MAF for an 02? I can't really tell if the 01 model MAF has the resistor or not. I will have to call them on Mon to confirm this. Courtesy is selling MAF sensor for $87.