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4944 messages, Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 12:04 PM

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What is this discussion about? Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Exhaust

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#4790 of 4944 Re: Cooling fans run for no reason. [kiawah] by cricketcan Apr 15, 2009 (5:42 am)
Replying to: kiawah (Apr 15, 2009 4:43 am) The part about the PMC could be true. One night I went out and the fans where running for no apparent reason. I couldn't get them to shut off and it was late so I unplugged them. Later the next day I went out to check them out and plugged the fans back to the harness and they didn't start runnning again. Strange!! Started the car and took it around the back of the house to the garage to diagnois and shut the car off. they were running again. Engine still cold. Only ran 3 min. tops. With the ign key in the off position Thought of the defrosters and shut everything down inside the car, fans still running with key in off position. Hoping cost of fix was not PMC. Thanks Replies to this message: obyone (Apr 17, 2009 12:10 pm)
#4791 of 4944 Re: Cooling fans run for no reason. [cricketcan] by obyone Apr 17, 2009 (12:10 pm)
Replying to: cricketcan (Apr 15, 2009 5:42 am) GM has a service bulletin addressing this issue. It first appeared on the then newly designed Regal back in 1997. You would think that four years after its introduction they would've worked the redesign into the newer models. Then again the more I think about it GM had an intermediate steering shaft issue with their GMT 800 trucks that took 8 years to resolve. If you haven't found the solution by now, post here and I'll try and look up the final resolution.
#4792 of 4944 Pinging by cptlocksley Apr 19, 2009 (6:50 am)
I have a 92 ford ranger with the 4.0l that makes a pinging noise under load. What are the possible problems? I have heard that is normal for that engine but I would like to fix it anyway. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 19, 2009 7:27 am) cptlocksley (Apr 19, 2009 7:58 am) kiawah (Apr 19, 2009 8:26 am) Mr_Shiftright (Apr 19, 2009 8:56 am) bolivar (Apr 19, 2009 10:52 pm)
#4793 of 4944 Re: Pinging [cptlocksley] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Apr 19, 2009 (7:27 am)
Replying to: cptlocksley (Apr 19, 2009 6:50 am) Pinging under load is not good. What you are hearing is, literally, the internal parts of your engine rattling around, and, possibly, the walls of your cylinder actually flexing. You can burn a hole right through a piston from pinging. HOWEVER, there is "pinging" and there is PINGING. A very slight, short burst of this noise under heavy load in a high gear might be pretty normal, but if you are climbing a hill and the ping just keeps on going (in other words, not a short, temporary burst) you are headed for disaster. Cause? Various. Most common: 1. Fuel octane too low 2. Timing too advanced 3. Heavy carbonization of cylinder head or tops of pistons 4. Defective distributor/advance mechanism (depends on the car). Replies to this message: cptlocksley (Apr 19, 2009 7:58 am) kiawah (Apr 19, 2009 8:26 am) Mr_Shiftright (Apr 19, 2009 8:56 am)
#4794 of 4944 Re: Pinging [Mr_Shiftright] by cptlocksley Apr 19, 2009 (7:58 am)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 19, 2009 7:27 am) I was told i would have to pull the heads and clean up the top half of the engine. Knowing the some of the past history of the truck, it has not had the best service intervals. Just thought that I would ask before spending the time to tear it down and rebuild it. Thanks for the reply. Replies to this message: kiawah (Apr 19, 2009 8:26 am) Mr_Shiftright (Apr 19, 2009 8:56 am)
#4795 of 4944 Re: Pinging [cptlocksley] by kiawah Apr 19, 2009 (8:26 am)
Replying to: cptlocksley (Apr 19, 2009 7:58 am) Try to isolate the cause a little, for instance.....check the timing and timing advance, and put in a tankful of higher octane....before you start tearing the engine down.
#4796 of 4944 Re: Pinging [cptlocksley] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Apr 19, 2009 (8:56 am)
Replying to: cptlocksley (Apr 19, 2009 7:58 am) That's a pretty drastic solution---you should definitely check the timing mechanisms and also throw in some premium gas and see how that helps.
#4797 of 4944 Re: Pinging [cptlocksley] by bolivar Apr 19, 2009 (10:52 pm)
Replying to: cptlocksley (Apr 19, 2009 6:50 am) The 3 Liter motors almost all ping. Not much to do about it but use higher octane fuel. When a 4 Liter pings, it means the bolts holding the intake down have loosen up. This allow air to be pulled into the intake, leans out the mixture, and this causes ping. Start in the center and criss-cross tightening up the intake manifold bolts. I think they are about 9mm or so. A 1/4 inch drive with flex connector and extensions of various lengths will also be needed. I don't know the torque needed. Just snug them up, you are going to find several that are loose. This happened on my 94. I bet it's your problem. Otherwise, 4 Liter Rangers do not ping.
#4798 of 4944 Friends car by jipster Apr 21, 2009 (6:24 pm)
Geo Prism. Says vibrates/shakes for abourt 20 minutes until fully warmed up. Then okay. Took to Autozone, many possiblities they say... she mentions a sensor. Said one mechanic lifted the front left bumper and it stopped shaking. Idle air control sensor? Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 22, 2009 5:49 am) jipster (Apr 22, 2009 9:26 am)
#4799 of 4944 Re: Friends car [jipster] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Apr 22, 2009 (5:49 am)
Replying to: jipster (Apr 21, 2009 6:24 pm) I'd look for a vacuum leak before guessing about sensors. As the engine warms up, very often a vacuum leak will seal as the metal expands. Or some device could be sucking/leaking vacuum until a certain temp is reached and then shuts itself off. You might also scan the car for trouble codes. Replies to this message: jipster (Apr 22, 2009 9:26 am)