2003 Outback engine pinging

[Grumpy]

Hello all---

Anyone else out there have some minor engine pinging in a 2003 Outback
w/stock engine? I bought this car used with 63K miles on it. I've tried
hi octane fuel, no change. Only happens on uphill grades when the engine
is working harder. Happy with 27 mpg around town......

Any suggestions/comments appreciated.

-Grumps

 

[Edward Hayes]

A slight pinging on light acceleration is normal and my Forester has
done it for the last 106,000 miles. If it quits then something is
wrong. All that's happening is the ECM is adjusting the timing for
maximum engine efficiency. We are talking about a slight light pinging
correct??

 

[Grumpy]

A slight pinging on light acceleration is normal and my Forester has
done it for the last 106,000 miles. If it quits then something is
wrong. All that's happening is the ECM is adjusting the timing for
maximum engine efficiency. We are talking about a slight light pinging
correct??

HI Ed--

Yeh, it's a pinging, not engine knock. The Subaru dealer's mechanic said
to try better gas. So I tried Exxon 88 octane. Manual calls for 87
octane. Still pings. I even tried a tank of hi octane and it still
pings. Gets around OK.

-Doug

 

[Edward Hayes]

If your concerned why not run a bottle of TECHRON FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER
in the gas. Be sure and get the system cleaner concentrate and NOT the
weaker injector cleaner.

 

[Grumpy]

If your concerned why not run a bottle of TECHRON FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER
in the gas. Be sure and get the system cleaner concentrate and NOT the
weaker injector cleaner.

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I had already tried some "octane booster" to
see if it reduced the pinging. No luck.

Thx, Grumps.

 

[AS]

Yes, Pinging particularly when cold.

Hello all---

Anyone else out there have some minor engine pinging in a 2003 Outback
w/stock engine? I bought this car used with 63K miles on it. I've tried
hi octane fuel, no change. Only happens on uphill grades when the engine
is working harder. Happy with 27 mpg around town......

Any suggestions/comments appreciated.

-Grumps

 

[News]

The local dealer in Oregon took a ride with me a couple of times over a
week - late last Spring. As I had anticipated, the ping was reduced or gone
in the cool, moist air of the morning, but obviously back in the warm
afternoon. He pretty much came out and admitted that Subaru doesn't have
much to say about the issue. Ambient outdoor temperature and seasonal gas
reformulation plays a major role, as far as he knew.

I tried premium gas...with good success. Now that I've switched back to
unleaded for economy reasons, the ping is back with a vengeance. I also
tried the Chevron Techron additive. It seemed to work, but it's a $5 to $7
expense every 1500 to 3000 miles.

Short answer long... Subaru knows about the issue, but they don't seem to
have a cookie-cutter solution. In general, they point the finger at the
fuel system electronics and shrug their shoulders saying "We can't do
anything about it. There is nothing we can adjust."

 

[Grumpy]

Thanks for the input. I have a dose of Techron working right now and
will see what happens. Premium gas had no effect.

I'll cross my fingers......

Grumps