1998 Ford Windstar Pings when warm (pings hard)

jdcurenton · 04-20-2009, 06:01 PM

1998 Ford Windstar v-6 starts out fine but pings when it gets to tempeture, the vehicle does NOT overheat at all but eventually after about 30 min of running sounds like a diesel train. I took to a mechanic but after 4 hours of checking things he said it is 90% chance of being a bad computer. I am not a mechanic but am a working father of 3 boys who has to manage every dime and would like to ask the community their thoughs on this. I am willing to buy and pay to have install but cant afford to keep changing parts. Does anyone have info input or maybe a similar situation?
Thank you in advance!

canuck623 · 04-22-2009, 10:02 AM

I doubt it is the PCM. Probably the EGR ports in the manifold are plugged. You need to pull the upper manifold and check the brass ports for carbon. If they get plugged it alters the mixture and can cause a ping.

mark v · 04-22-2009, 10:21 AM

Any computer codes?

jdcurenton · 04-22-2009, 12:10 PM

There are no codes, it was throwing a code that cyclinder #4 was misfiring but now is not throwing that code.

militarydave · 04-22-2009, 12:13 PM

how many miles on the motor? you may also want to try unplugging the battery to reset everything and see if it continues to ping.

mark v · 04-22-2009, 01:09 PM

Misfiring means bad plugs and or wires, this would explain some pinging. How many miles on it and when were the last time the plugs were changed?

jdcurenton · 04-22-2009, 02:11 PM

I had the plugs changed 3 months ago when it started running rough, mechanic has checked the plugs tried new wires and the pinging is horrible after it gets to tempeture. I will try unplugging the battery and reconnecting to see if this improves anything, along with the pinging it smokes when it gets to tempeture now also, but doesnt register as hot.

mark v · 04-22-2009, 02:34 PM

Head gasket it is sounding more like. Check your coolant for oil and check your oil for coolant.

jdcurenton · 04-23-2009, 01:12 PM

vehicle has 118k

Mechanic said its not ERG as he disconnected hose from it and it didnt make a difference, and its not the head gasket or it would have a problem when the vehicle is cold. Is still set on it being the computer.

canuck623 · 04-26-2009, 07:03 PM

Doesn't anyone pay attention???? I said the orifices in the intake are PLUGGED. Disconnecting the hose will do the same as a plugged EGR. It won't flow. If the EGR doesn't flow it will ping. I am getting tired of trying to help people here that refuse to be helped but still ask the same question over and over. The reason you have a #4 misfire is probably because that port is NOT plugged and gets more EGR flow than it can handle. That would make it misfire. The other two causes of no, or low EGR flow is the metal DPFE solenoid on the front of the engine or the EGR solenoid at the rear of the intake close to the passenger side. I am a Ford tech with over 35 years of experience. I have seen the ports plugged more times than I can count. I am not pulling this advice out of my butt. I will repeat......on an EGR equipped engine the proper flow of EGR gas is very important to keep the head temperatures proper. Without proper flow the engine WILL PING!!!!!!!