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2009 Forester engine ping "They all do that"

10 messages,  Last post on Dec 15, 2009 at 10:39 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 10 Re: 2009 Forester engine ping "They all do that" [grahampeters] by saedave

Jul 25, 2009 (7:12 am)

Replying to: grahampeters (Jul 24, 2009 1:56 pm)
Pinging should not be happening in a modern engine, if you are using suitable fuel.
 
Graham,
 
Agreed, but the sound may not be pinging. The exhaust manifold rap on some Subaru fours might confuse a new owner. My four had it but my 3.0R six does not.
 
Dave

#5 of 10 Re: 2009 Forester engine ping "They all do that" [tmedo1] by bigfrank3

Jul 25, 2009 (10:54 am)

Replying to: tmedo1 (Jul 21, 2009 7:47 pm)
Well the other problem is that knock sensor systems are reactive. Knock (ping) has to occur and be detected by the sensor before the computer knows it has to adjust, but this should happen quickly and the pinging should not continue. I have heard my Forester ping only once and it disappeared as fast as it happened. This was also pulling away from a stop sign. Your knock sensor circuit may be numb due to a sensor problem so I would stay on the dealer if it continues.
 
Graham's advice is good to try. The higher octane V-Power Shell should not ping at all, and the higher detergent level just might clean out some deposits that have accumulated. After a couple of tanks and then returning to the 87 octane, if the problem persists I would pursue the numb knock sensor thought.
 
Just out of curiosity, what area do you live in, and do they use 10% ethanol? Does this happen all the time or only when it is hot and you have the extra load of the AC system? Has anyone made sure your cooling system is full with no air pockets?

#6 of 10 Re: 2009 Forester engine ping "They all do that" [tmedo1] by oldladydriver

Jul 28, 2009 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: tmedo1 (Jul 21, 2009 7:47 pm)
Hello, I have also posted on the Impreza forum about this - but my 2008 Impreza 2.5i (auto trans) does almost exactly the same thing -- pinging -- within two months of purchase. High octane gas doesn't help. Pings on hills, pings on acceleration, pings at low rpm's between gear shifts, pings pulling away from a dead stop - and the car is also slow to downshift when the engine is under load. More noticeable in warm weather. I am looking to see if owners of other 08-09 Subarus have the same problem. Have taken it to the dealer 3 times; they claim not to be able to replicate the problem. Am now dealing with Subaru of America - no one has any answers yet, but clearly others are having the same problem. Stay on your dealer about it, and call SOA if the dealer is not being helpful. I agree - a new car should not be pinging! I had a 96 Legacy wagon with a smaller engine - and never had this kind of problem.

#7 of 10 Re: 2009 Forester engine ping "They all do that" [tmedo1] by jmoor

Nov 24, 2009 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: tmedo1 (Jul 21, 2009 7:47 pm)
I have a 2002 forester with 115,000 miles on it and it has been pinging as you are indicating since it was new. I also asked the dealer about it and got a similar response. I find that if I put 93 octane gas, it is OK. I rationalize the extra cost of the gas in that I appear to get 1-2 extra mpg with high test gas so it is kind of a wash. I also have an 2008 forester with 26,000 and that one is good with regular gas though I will notice subtle pinging if the engine is particularly strained (i.e. full car up a hill) and I am light on the accelerator so the engine is at a low rpm.
 
Overall I am very satisfied with the cars

#8 of 10 Re: 2009 Forester engine ping "They all do that" [tmedo1] by aatherton

Nov 25, 2009 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: tmedo1 (Jul 21, 2009 7:47 pm)
"... have a 2009 Forester that pings under light to moderate acceleration when pulling away from a stop sign or driving between 20 to 40 MPH and maintaing speed on slight hills and is audible with the windows either open or closed. My Forester has only 8500 miles on it and I have always used "name brand" gasoline from various stations... took it to the dealer today and was told that this is a common issue with this type of engine because of the cylinder layout/orientation..."
 
The engine is supposed to run on 87 octane without pinging, period. You have far to few miles for "coking", but even pinging from that would be suppressed by the knock sensor and ECU. Pinging is not a common issue with the boxer engine, as my 2008 has no trace of it, nor have I ever heard of it in two years of heavy participation in the subaruforester.org forum.
 
If the knock sensor was faulty, I would expect to see a trouble code. I would try a couple of tanks of high octane, just to see if it had any effect. If that stops the pinging, then something is wrong with the sensor or ECU.

#9 of 10 My Outback engine pings too by dpalka

Dec 15, 2009 (8:03 am)

The engine on my 2008 Outback pings as well, but I only hear it when I shut the car off. Other than that the car runs fine. I use mid-grade gas, and it does have 10% ethanol. [If I ran the country, the first thing I'd do is tell the corn lobby to take a hike. Actually I'd use stronger phraseology, but I try to keep things clean when I post to a messageboard! ]

#10 of 10 Re: My Outback engine pings too [dpalka] by xwesx

Dec 15, 2009 (10:39 am)

Replying to: dpalka (Dec 15, 2009 8:03 am)
Only when you shut the car off? So, you shut off the car, then your hear.... what? If it is more of a ticking and soft popping, that is just the metal parts cooling and is entirely normal. Pinging is a result of detonation, which only happens when the engine is running.

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