FYI,
Got my Dak back from the dealer on Wednesday. They said that the most
probable cause of the pinging is that the computer is designed to run the
engine on a rich mixture for the first 6000 miles. They said if it
continued to ping after 6000 miles, to bring it back. They also
recommended to only use 87 octane gas since higher octane gas actually
causes performance problems on stock Mag engines.
They also told me that my "Check Engine" light came on because of a false
code (something with the governor, even though Dak's don't have one).
Anyway, they failed to explain why my engine ran like sh*t for the two days
after the light came on. Guess I'll just have to watch it.
Chris Buelterman
'98 Dak CC
3500 miles
-----Original Message-----
From: Buelterman, Chris [SMTP:Chris_Buelterman@mail.msj.edu]
Sent: Monday, May 11, 1998 7:20 PM
To: 'dakota-truck@buffnet.net'
Subject: DML: RE: Engine pinging
My '98 4x4 CC, 5.2L, 3.55, auto does the same thing. I was using 87
octane
BP gas when I noticed it, so I filled up the next couple times with
Premium
93 octane. The pinging subsided a little, but it was still there.
The
engine actually seemed to do a little worse, performance wise, with
the
premium gas. I have switched back to the 87 octane for now because
the
premium is too expensive. I plan on mentioning this to the dealer
tomorrow
when I take my truck in to find out why my "Check Engine" light came
on and
to have my front left wheel bearing replaced for the second time.
Chris Buelterman
'98 Dak CC
3100 miles
----------
From: Michael & Jeannine Reynolds
To: 'dakota-truck@buffnet.net'
Sent: 5/9/98 5:14:21 PM
Subject: DML: Engine pinging
I have a '98 Dakota 4X4 CC with a 318, automatic, 3.55 rear and the
tire &
handling package. Yesterday, while my wife and I were on our way
home from
work, we pulled out onto a road and started moderately accelerating
up steep
hill. I then heard the engine start pinging, so I backed off some
and of
course, it subsided. Then I floored it. It pinged momentarily
before the
trans shifted down to second, then revved without any pinging. I
was using
89 octane Shell plus gas. Thinking that I might have some bad gas,
I went
to the Autozone and picked up some STP gas treatment (the
concentrate). I
had less than 1/4 tank, and I put this stuff in and filled up with
premium
(93 octane). This has helped a bit, but I still notice a small
tendency for
pinging if I give it 1/2 throttle to accelerate in OD. Do you guys
(and
gals) think that I have some bad gas, or is there something in the
engine
management system that is causing the engine to run a little lean?
How long
should I wait before I eliminate the bad gas possibility and take it
to a
dealer? I know that there is no way to adjust or check the base
line
timing. Thanks in advance for your responses.
Michael Reynolds
'98 Dakota 4X4 CC
5.2L, Flame Red, 2200 miles
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