355 pinging??? | FerrariChat

355 pinging???

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by 355spider96, Aug 27, 2007.

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  1. 355spider96

    355spider96 Karting

    Mar 28, 2007
    103
    On my 96' 355, when I am at half throttle at certain rpms or gears, I can hear what sounds to me like pinging or detonation. If I have the top down I can hear it more obviously. When I go full throttle then it doesnt happen, only at half throttle. Has anyone else heard or dealt with this? Keep in mind im in California so maybe I need to mix in some 100 octane with the junk 91 we have out here? Im not sure of what plugs are in the car as I recently purchased it.
     
  2. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 3, 2002
    4,364
    United States
    Full Name:
    JM3
    The 355 has a knock sensor, so there should be no "pinging", although the conditions you describe are when pinging can occur. I would consider a lean condition, and start by doing a few things that you should do anyway on a new-to-you F355.

    Clean the AFM (air flow meter).

    Reset the computer as described in the owners manual (or in the 355/348 subforum)

    Make sure the air intake hoses into the air filters are present and all hooked up so you are getting the coldest air possible.

    Check that the bypass valve is not rattling. See an excellent post by fana355france in this subforum.

    Jay
     
  3. 355spider96

    355spider96 Karting

    Mar 28, 2007
    103
    Well, for starters it was very hot the last few weeks here (southern california) I mixed in some 100 octane and it actually seemed like the pinging sound didnt happen as much, and then started to a bit more, of and on. Maybe I need to mix more 100 octane? Also, Ive been dealing with a check engine light code going on and off that the 02 sensors have low voltage going to them, could this be the cause? Would the bypass valve rattling sound like pinging or when would it happen? If I did have the rattle, why would it go away at full throttle? Thanks again for your help!
     
    Wildrevs1717 likes this.
  4. 355spider96

    355spider96 Karting

    Mar 28, 2007
    103
    anyone else have any ideas???
     
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
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    Mr. Sideways
    When you say that you added 100 octane fuel, were you adding 100 octane LL avgas or 100 octane auto racing fuel?

    What error codes are being reported by your ECU?
     
  6. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    I would first suspect a miss, caused by bad plug wires or fouled spark plug. The wires are a notorious wear point from heat damage. If they are original to the car they are overdue for replacement.
     
  7. 355spider96

    355spider96 Karting

    Mar 28, 2007
    103
    It was whatever the 100octane is at the local 76 station... The codes I am getting are saying that the 02 sensors have low voltage to them, would this cause this? I suspect that my cat ecus (the vescovinis) could have been replaced by ones off a 95', which would probably be different since those ones have 2 02 sensors instead of 4.
     
    Wildrevs1717 likes this.
  8. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    Cat ECU's are only reactive. They can't cause pinging.

    O2 sensor problems can cause pinging. Disconnect the front O2 sensors (will throw a trouble code) and drive without them for 15 minutes to see if the stock fuel maps eliminate your pinging.
     
  9. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth
    Is there any way to check the crank postion sensor to make sure it has 'correct crank position' for ignition reference?
     
  10. 355spider96

    355spider96 Karting

    Mar 28, 2007
    103
    But if the cat ecus were the wrong ones then couldnt the 02's themselves then lean out and cause the pinging?
     
  11. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Cat ECU's simply respond to a temperature that is read in the thermocouple. They send a signal to the main ECU to "slow down" and cut fuel delivery to 1/2 the engine.
     
  12. 355spider96

    355spider96 Karting

    Mar 28, 2007
    103
    so being the wrong ones wouldnt cause a lean condition that would cause pinging? Maybe I need to check for things that are loose because it does sound like it could be a rattle but does sound similar to pinging. It mostly happens when I accelerate with the pedal very quickly to half throttle, if I let off quickly I get a somewhat similar sound but a tad different.
     
  13. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    Do you have a code scanner ($30 on-line)?

    If not, that's a good investment for this type of car.

    Use your scanner to pull your engine error codes. That's a good first start.


    A good thing to do after pulling the codes is to pull your spark plugs. Then you can see if you are lean or rich on any cylinders. Photograph them (everyone owns camera phones in the 21st Century) and post the photos here.

    See my link on reading spark plugs in my signature below.


    The rest is just random guessing that will waste your time, lead to frustration, and delay the enjoyment that you can get from these vehicles.
     
  14. JCR

    JCR F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 14, 2005
    11,024
    H-Town, Tejas
    Depending on where you are, winter blend fuels can have higher sensitivity than summer blends leading to pinging. California is notorious for this because the fuels have mandated lower aromatic levels than the rest of the USA.

    Sensitivity = delta between MON and RON.
     

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