Check
| Action
|
DEFINITION: A mild to severe ping, usually worse under acceleration. The engine
makes sharp metallic knocks that change with the throttle opening.
|
Preliminary Checks
| Refer to
Symptoms - Engine Controls
.
Verify the customer concern.
|
Cooling System Checks
|
| • | Check for a low engine coolant level. |
| • | Check for the proper tension on the drive belts. |
| • | Check for restricted air flow through the radiator, or restricted coolant
flow. |
| • | Check for a faulty thermostat. |
| • | Check for a correct coolant mixture. |
|
Sensor Check
| Check for an engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor that has a shift in value.
Refer to
Temperature Versus Resistance
.
|
Fuel System Checks
|
| • | Check if a lean system causes this condition. Drive the vehicle at the
speed of the complaint. Monitoring the fuel trim will help identify the
problem. |
| • | If the system is lean, the long term FT will be more than 150. |
| • | Check for a poor fuel quality and a proper octane rating. |
| • | If the fuel trim readings are normal and there are no engine mechanical
concerns, then fill the fuel tank with a known good fuel and re-evaluate the
vehicle's performance. |
|
Ignition System Checks
|
| • | Check the spark plugs for their proper heat range and gap. |
| • | Check the knock sensor (KS) system operation. |
| • | Check the ignition timing. |
|
Engine Mechanical Checks
|
| • | Check for carbon build up. Remove the carbon with a top engine cleaner.
Follow the instructions on the can. |
| • | Check the combustion chamber pressure by performing a compression test. |
|
Additional Checks
|
| • | Check for the proper operation of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
valve. |
| • | Check the torque converter clutch (TCC) operation. |
| • | Check the Service Bulletins for calibration updates. |
|
