Recent content by tpi

Not Pennzoil (or other brand) just the conditions of the time (I was there). 1. Big heavy slow to warm up engines with poorly calibrated automatic chokes. 2. Heavily leaded fuel 3. Greater availability of "non detergent" oil by major producers, occupied same shelf space with approved oils. Led...

I would think the cat would be plugged hot or cold. If the converter passed a back pressure test after sitting a half hour, I would think it is OK. Are you hearing rattles from the converter?

That is the weirdest thing about Oregon-otherwise a beautiful state. My '95 Wrangler is fussy at the pump too, - premature shutoffs. I can live with it because I pump my own fuel. There have been recalls, TSBs on evaporative systems. You may want to check to see if yours is included. I can...

I date back to the '60s cars and have had a lot of experience with both cars and driving. I've worked under the hood of hundreds of cars, both for pay and as a hobby. There are times when ignoring something is the most reasonable course. I'm probably more inclined to recommend this course than...

I'm so old that chasing pinging in my younger days just meant backing off the timing a notch. But I basically agree. Lot of this can be a stack up of tolerances, nothing out of spec but all to one side of the spec. Low EGR flow, thermostat at top of spec etc. If it really annoys him the dyno...

Why would a misfire show the ECM (via oxygen sensor) a rich condition? Incomplete combustion (poor ignition) by definition would mean some of the *oxygen* wasn't combined either. I don't see how the oxygen sensors would get a rich signal under those circumstances, in fact it would see *more* oxygen.

Could you educate me as to the mechanism of how a clogged air filter, slowly failing coil, or failing spark plug of the correct heat range can cause an engine to ping or detonate?

Plugs: Failing plugs cause misfire, not ping. If the plugs are wrong part # (incorrect heat range) could cause ping. PCV. Unlikely to cause ping. I guess it could stick open and upset mixture, but you'd notice it in the idle, plus it should throw a code. I've never seen this happen. EGR. Yes...

I won't go so far to say 999 vehicles per 1000 ping. But I bet his statement is more true than false. We're talking a barely audible ping at low RPM under fairly low loads. This is most noticeable in "torque" engines with big pistons. You have to be listening for and tuned into the sound. If...

I can vouch for the quick warmup of the new aluminum 4 cyl. engines. My F250 diesel takes forever to warm up-at least 10 miles @ 60 MPH to first open thermostat (on a cool morning). 900 lbs of iron, 8 gallons of coolant and 4 gallons of oil take a while to heat up. I start them up and baby it...

The low RPM, locked converter, and timing advance to the point of ping are the reason you're getting 19.4 MPG. A 5 liter engine @ 1500 RPM pumps the same volume as a 2.5 liter engine @ 3000 RPM. Check and see if you have any codes set, and try another carbon treatment. Try another brand of...

I looked further at your pictures and I looked under hood of my '95 2.5 port FI. If the '95 intake manifold is identical to yours, I see cyl 3 and 4 fed by same runner. There both a vacuum port and vacuum sensor on this runner. Leaks on either will cause 3 and 4 to go lean. Looking at your...

Not me fortunately. My engine's fine. Do read that list though, and thought the original advice was on target.

I keep mine topped off in engines with smaller sump capacities. 1 quart is 25% of capacity-so I don't let it get "down a quart." Most engines use so little oil this isn't an issue. On my Ford diesel w/ 15 quart capacity I'm not too concerned if it is down a quart or two.

On my 95 YJ a lot of detonation could go unnoticed due to the wind noise and other asst. noises the vehicle makes