WONT STOP PINGING!

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Andrew Belser

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hello again,
Since i bought my 2001 5.9l 4x4 sport offroad package a year ago, ive had pinging issues. I first had them only in overdrive around 2000rpm. First thing i did was spark plugs, then distributer cap and plug wires. This only made the pinging WORSE. It started pinging in 2nd and third under acceleration and in overdrive as well. Last weekend I did the plunum gasket and put an aluminum plenum plate in it. This only made it even worse...I do a decent amount of towing for my job so i need to get this problem fixed. I cant go over 60mph or 2000 rpm in OD on the highway. And i feel bad fir everyone behinde me on the on ramp. Ive read about clogged cats and ecu flashing. Planning on removing my forward o2 sensor soon to test if the cat is clogged. Ive tried searching these fourms but all my searchs pull up 0 threads. I know this is a common issue but I've done a lot to this truck to solve this problem and its only gotten worse. The plenum gasket drastically improved my mpg but thsts it. Im using Champion spark plugs. So after the plenum gasket repair, the pcv valve was rattling for awhile. If i unplug it and block off the hose the engine dies. Is this normal? Need help guys. What dies the ecu flash do? Or should I inspect the timing chain? All replies are appreciated. Thanks
 

JohnnyMac

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My 2000 5.9 pinged like hell, I swapped the 190 for a 180 thermostat, installed platinum plugs and only ran 92 octane in it. That seemed to do the trick for me, but sounds like you have more going on there. Did you check your timing? If your timing is too far advanced, it will ping.
 
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Andrew Belser

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My 2000 5.9 pinged like hell, I swapped the 190 for a 180 thermostat, installed platinum plugs and only ran 92 octane in it. That seemed to do the trick for me, but sounds like you have more going on there. Did you check your timing? If your timing is too far advanced, it will ping.
That's something I'm gonna do this weekend. If I put higher octane in it it will ping less, but I don't see any reason these trucks can't take regular gas. I just put a new 190 thermo in there. I might try retarding the timing slightly before changing that.
 

JohnnyMac

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That's something I'm gonna do this weekend. If I put higher octane in it it will ping less, but I don't see any reason these trucks can't take regular gas. I just put a new 190 thermo in there. I might try retarding the timing slightly before changing that.
Let us know how it goes.
 

G-Ride990

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Autolite 3923 plugs helped with pinging issues I had in my 5.9. Plain old copper cores were always best in that truck. It pinged like crazy with anything else. I always had to run premium fuel in the summer with that truck though.

How many miles on your truck now? Cats could contributing to your issue so I would check that out asap.

You haven't messed with timing by moving the distributor have you? Rotating the distributor on these engines adjusts fuel sync and not timing.
 

Okiespaniel

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Well....if he moved his distributor he's learned a valuable lesson.

The first and foremost... be cautious/never take 2nd gen advice from those who don't currently own one!

You have to have plug into the PCM to read timing advances. That requires either a proper scanner or app.

The plenum gasket usually fixes most pinging issues...but...you have a 19 year old truck with how many miles? You did use a gasket between the plate and intake right?

How's your compression? Valve seals/guides? Any blowby adds oil to your air gas mixture. You'll ping.

Usually a 2001 doesn't have catalytic converter issues. I have 167+k miles on my 2000. We use the same design converter. Doesn't mean it couldn't but it's unusual. Has it ever had the o2 sensors replaced?

What kind of gas do you run? Ethanol gas performs pretty poorly in these trucks. Try a couple tanks of non ethanol.

Your PCV should make a little noise, but I'm pretty sure the truck should not die when you pull it out of the valve cover, or plug it. You may need to spray around the intake manifold and vacuum hoses to check for a vacuum leak. A lean mixture causes pinging!

The 180 thermostat will help. Make sure the rest of your cooling system is up to ***** as well.

My 2nd gen has a Tune from Hemifever. The 91 octane was too hot and it pinged on 91 premium. He built me an 87/89 tune that pings occasionally in the summer with the air on, and I'm whooping on the old truck. 91 non ethanol usually solves this. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you bought the truck used maybe a PO dropped a Superchips tune in it.

I run Champion copper plugs and change them when I feel like it. Sometimes I wait too long but the truck still runs ok.

My 2nd gen will have been an extension of my right arm 19 years (!) this Tuesday the 19th of May And this one wasn't my 1st 2nd gen. I'm pretty confident with giving advice on certain 2nd gen issues. I still live them daily.
 
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Andrew Belser

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Thanks for the replies guys, I didn't mess with the distributer yet. Im running regular gas, 87, and I put a new gasket with the aluminum plenum plate, sealed it well. I took my time. It runs better with 91 but its rated for 87 octane. When its 75 degrees out it hardly pings. I havent done a compression test on it or replaced the o2 sensors. No codes. I think ill flush the cooling system and put that 180 thermo in there.
 
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Dodge 1500 4X4

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You may have carbon build up on the heads and pistons, old school I use to spray water from a spray bottle into the air plenum or down the throat of the throttle body, this would turn the water to steam and possible break up the carbon build up, spray it a little at a time
 

bigdodge

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Do not turn your distributor. It sets the timing for the fuel injectors. It has to be set with a high end scan tool. Also your truck will die if the pcv is plugged. Your idle depends on that air flow along with your IAC

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pacofortacos

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When you say you can't go over 60 mph or 2000 rpms - is this due to pinging or it just won't do anymore than that.

My 01 5.9 Dakota 4X4 was very ping resistant - I actually ran several degrees of extra timing on 87 octane without a ping. In fact the only time it pinged with 87 octane was running a 93 octane tune or only on top end running the 89 performance tune. I usually ran a nice tow tune that worked very well in combo with a fairly decently modified crank position sensor. Sensor location gave me just over 4 degrees advance by itself - which with the tuners I don't rec. doing as it isn't needed now.

Also a specific ignition setup. Champion jeep 4.0 plugs, only a mopar cap and rotor, summit 8 mm wires, msd 6a with a oil filled coil from a 80's fwd 4 cyl. car. By far the best combo I found in 15 yrs of owning that truck.
Fuel sync was usually set at +8
Thermostat was 195 degree as 180 cost me mpg.

What is the PCM part number?

It's possible your cats are restricted or you have a carbon build up on the valves - I prefer to clean the carbon using Mopar Top Engine cleaner or the GM version if it is the same as years ago.

As far as stalling when plugging the PCV, it depends. There is a minimum air flow setting that can be done. But your big problem could just be that there is carbon on the throttle body - clean it by hand is best or by spray when running. What you want to look for - is there black carbon around the throttle plate when the throttle is closed. Easy to see if you use a flashlight and open the throttle. If there is just hold the throttle open and clean with carb cleaner on a rag using your finger until the throttle body is clean.
 
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