Pinging with warm engine in hot weather

would the egr, intake manifold, throttle body or maf affect it?

 

Anything in the VVT system? Just brainstorming, I don't know....

 

Why is your engine in water?

 

I think the OP meant to say "weather" in the title...

I was wondering whether the OP still has pinging with 91 octane fuel.

 

Are you sure that the engine is pinging (vs. some other noise)?

What did the old spark plugs look like?

If your car has only 80K miles logged, I would not think there would be much carbon buildup.

 

An engine problem should definitely throw a code, including the VVT (variable valve timing) system.

I've heard a little about drive axles and wheel bearings pinging, but I can't imagine it would sound like an engine, or not give any other indications. But It might be worth pulling front wheels and making sure everything is tight.

 

Doesn't look like those are platinum plugs...does it call for them?


iPhone ?

 

I have that same noise in my 2015 prius v

 

What's the spark plug change interval?


iPhone ?

 

I think its another prius quirk. Meaning if it doesnt throw a code and someone doesnt know how to fix it exactly it could be anything. Causing the issue.

 

My guess, if changing plugs didn't help: carbon build-up in the top of the cylinder, which is doing a couple of things:

1. Reducing air volume when the piston's at the top, effectively increasing compression ratio.
2. Acting as little glow plugs, pre-igniting the mixture.

Maybe just persevere with higher octane fuel, and try fuel treatment. Or something like SeaFoam?

 

I actually tried all of those things. Also when I changed my spark plugs there was alot of carbon on the top of the piston. However the pinging noise only happens when the engine is cold. When its warm no noise.

 

Also I ran 92 octane didnt change anything.

 

Seafoam would help with the carbon buildup on top of cylinders. Maybe give that a try.

 

My 2005 (which I bought new in March of 2005) has been pinging for a few years. Currently at 193,000 miles. It seems to happen most when I'm going up a gentle incline. Can be a small road at 25 MPH or highway at 60 MPH. If I don't move the accelerator pedal it just keeps pinging. If I press down on accelerator pedal slightly the pinging gets a bit louder, sometimes starting to actually knock, at which point the Prius seems to notice it, and does something to make it stop immediately.

I mentioned this problem during several visits to the dealer and they tried a few things but there is no change. They didn't see anything unusual. I've always used normal octane Top Tier gas which has the "recommended" amount of detergents. If I fill up with "special" (mid-octane) the problem goes away. I haven't noticed any correlation with temperature/weather/humidify.

At one point I had them replace plugs. I asked them to look for carbon deposits while doing this. They replaced the plugs. I asked about carbon and got a vague response, as though maybe they hadn't bothered to check. It's always hard when you're talking with somebody who stands at the counter, not the person who actually did work on the car. Sigh.

I have not yet tried SeaFoam. I have not checked/cleaned MAF or throttle plate.

Help?

 

I'd suspect carbon build-up too. It creates little glow points and reduces air volume in cylinder head, raising compression ratio slightly. That using higher octane gas dispels the pinging is more evidence.

Keep using mid-grade, for starters?