RE: 318 pinging; programming updates

From: Bernd D. Ratsch (bernd@dodgetrucks.org)
Date: Sat Apr 14 2007 - 10:48:24 EDT


Is the intake plenum leaking? Are the plug wires router properly (as per
TSB)? What plugs are you running?

As for the TSB Update flash, yes...it can help cure the pinging blues, but
you need to make sure everything else is up to proper working order first -
mainly the intake plenum. If that's leaking, the flash won't help you at
all.

Dealership charges are normally 1 hour flat (shop) rate - $90-$120 depending
on labor rate.

- Bernd

-----Original Message-----
From: jldenning@earthlink.net [mailto:jldenning@earthlink.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 9:30 AM
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
Subject: DML: 318 pinging; programming updates

I've a '99 318 4x4 w/ ATX and ~63k miles, that pings. I very recently
changed
plugs, wires, cap, rotor and pcv valve, and decarboned the intake/injection
system. Still pings. It seemes to be worse if I use regular gas, so I'm
running premium ($3.30/gal. in Washington DC)! Lately virtuallly all driving
has been city stop & go.

My mechanic has figured out that there are 8 OBC programming updates that
have
not ben installed, and he thinks that could be the problem. (BTW, Dodge
dealer
tells me these updates will be installed free w/in 8 years or 80k miles --
I'm
over 8 years.) My mechanic (not dealer) will do updates for $150.

Any thoughts? I especially want to get away from using premium.

TIA

Jef



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