1997 pinging on 93 octane

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A

Andrewsreef

Joined
Jul 22, 2004
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Hi all and thanks for letting me join your forum.

I have a 1997 LX450 is driving me nuts. My truck was purchased with 67k on it and it now has 77k on it. I have had it about 9 months. My truck for the last few months has been pinging even when I run premium gas. I have had a complete tuneup, throttle body cleaning and it still knocks. The knocking occurs most with the airconditioning on under light, moderate and heavy throttle. I even bumbed my timing back to 2BTC to see if that would help and it did not.

My mechanic had me try Seafoam for a couple of tanks and it did not help. I just fixed (or hope I fixed) a P0104 problem. Any idea on what I can check for this?

Thanks for the help.

Andrew
 
pinging

My 96 has been pinging occasionally on premium lately. It happens when I stomp the throttle and it downshifts, but only occasionally.
Carl
 
Are you setting the base-line timing with the data link connector shorted?
 
Andrew welcome to the forum.

I dont have an answer but I do have a couple question.

Have you tried a lower grade? And do you get the same results?
Have you approached your local Toyota dealer?
Where do you live that they have 93 octane?

Phil
 
Thanks guys.

I have set the timing correctly shorting the datalink per the manual. I have it set at 2BTC with a timing light (factory setting is 3BTC). I have not run regular gas lately but I could try it. I am in Florida so I should not be having any altitude issues.

This is really frustrating me as I feel like I am tearing up my engine. I have had some other strainge problems with this truck including the bad wiring harness near the EGR tube and several oil leaks.

Everthing else seems to be ok now but the pinging is driving me crazzy.

Thanks

Andrew
 
Andrew, my input would be to also sort through the ignition system. Check the resistance on the plug wires and/or replace them. Check the spark plugs for condition, gap, etc. If you haven't pulled them yet they might not even be the right ones for your truck. It's a good time to just get some good platinum/iridium ones gapped properly for your engine. Replace the rotor arm and cap from your distributor. Check the output from your coil. There was just a recent thread on how to destroy your coil from leaving the key in the ignition "on" position too long.

Next check your fuel delivery. That kind of high end lean condition could be fuel delivery problems (among a multitude of other possibilities - but I digress). Again, if you haven't replaced the fuel filter now is a good time to do so. Same for the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail. Lastly, the fuel pump may not be performing up to snuff due to a voltage issue as you push the engine. Heavier gauge wiring to the fuel pump would certainly help but that seems like a long shot on solving your particular problem. Last on this front would be the injectors. Pulling them and having them professionally cleaned and balanced can make a significant improvement.

Most of this is really preventative/routine maintenance given the miles on your truck. If a lot of this hasn't been done or you're not sure, it looks like you better contact Dan @ Amer. toy and place an order.

Good luck.
Mike R.
 
Thanks for the input.

I had a pretty comprehensive tune up when I got it that included most of what you are discussing. Definately the plugs, plugwires, fuel filter, throttle body and injector cleaning. Cap and rotor. Nothing seems to help. The truck starts the pinging once it is fully warmed up.

Could I have a carbon buildup problem?

Could I still have a EGR problem causing this.

From what I am reading this seems to be a pretty common problem with these trucks and that really surprises me. I had no idea how high maintance these things are. My wifes Toyota Seianna van is the exact opposit. It always runs great.

Thanks for the help.

Andrew
 
Andrewsreef said:
Thanks for the input.

I had no idea how high maintance these things are.
Andrew
Click to expand...

Oh boy, here we go.....
 
It is not at all a common problem. Something is wrong. Was the vehicle serviced with OEM replacement parts?
 
Andrew,

Have you had the opportunity to drive the truck with an OBDII monitor hooked up so as to be able to observe the actual ignition timing while it is pinging?

Rich
 
Another thought - are you certain you shorted the data link. Just jumping the two pins does not mean you successfully shorted the link. If the throttle position sensor on the throttle body is not properly adjusted or malfunctioning you will not be able to short the data link. Check here (http://www.lcool.org/technical/80_series/80_series_technical.html)

Also, not to knock on an unknown service provider but I would not put my confidence in a "comprehensive tune up". The pinging/knocking behavior is definitely not common or normal. You are just getting a lot of responses because folks love to problem solve. Given that you are having this behavior something is definitely wrong.

Injector "cleaning" is not the same as what I referred to. Check here (http://george4wd.taskled.com/injectors.html). Also, pull the plugs. Their condition is very diagnostic. And I'll bet you some good beer they aren't the right ones ;)

And any vehicle that you intend to keep rather than throw away after 10 years will require real maintenance. Not just some oil changes, checking the fluids yearly. You get out of it what you put in - most of these folks aren't going to be or willing to be stranded.

Good luck.
Mike
 
I'm also curious about the tuneup parts as noted above. Were these all Toyota parts (cap, rotor, fuel filter, plugs, etc)? Or were you simply told they'd "use the right parts"?

DougM
 
Ok , I'm curious now .. again . What are you guys running for fuel with an unmodified 1FZE ? I keeping putting in 87 octane ... seems to go ok . Round these parts I think we get 87 , 89 or 91 ... is experimentation worthwhile .. or stick with 87 .. isn't that as the manual states ? *trying to remember*

T
 
Thank you all for the responses. This is what I need to get this thing finally running better.

The Tuneup was supposed to have been done with Toyota Parts. I will pull a plug this weekend and see what brand and how they look. What is the factory specs for plugs for this truck?

Also, I am going to re-check the timing and see if it is set correctly.

I want to learn more about the TPS and how to check it. I have not looked into this before.

The coolant level is good and was flushed about 4 months ago.

I do not have an OBDII Scaner that tells anything more than the trouble code. I may need to get my mechanic to help with this one.

Thanks again, I will check into this tomorrow and post what I find.

Andrew
 
Is the rig overheating? You say that it pings after it warms up.
 
My mechanic did not think so at all. The temp guage runs in the lower 1/3 of the guage always. It never varies once warmed up.

What temp should the radiator fluied be at fully warmed up? I could check it with a hight temp thermomitor (spelling).

Thanks

Andrew
 
If it was me, I would place my bets on the EGR. Why you ask? Because he says it doesn't happen till it is warmed up. He also stated he had problems with the EGR wiring. The EGR isn't SUPPOSE to function until it is warmed up (closed loop), if the EGR is not functioning properly you will not get the correct air to fuel ratio. See where I am going with this? Verify that the EGR is performing correctly.
Pull out that FSM and run the tests on your EGR.

Yomama
 
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