2002 Corolla pings excessively when warm

[Anduril]

I posted this in another topic but I thought I'd get more replies if I gave it its own thread. My mom gave me her 2002 Corolla, as she has upgraded to a Camry. However, it pings like crazy (even when I'm just cruising on the freeway at about 70 or so), and she claims this is "normal." I know it's not, and I seafoamed the engine today twice, but it does not seem to have solved the problem. Maybe made it slightly better, but not solved it. I need to drive this car 400 miles on Sunday, and I'd like it to not ping. What should I look for to solve this issue?

EDIT: This engine has also had spotty oil changes, done at wal-mart with the cheapest oil possible. If I take off the filler cap, I can see some sludge forming if I shine a flashlight inside of it. Sounds like a good candidate for Auto-RX to me, I'm going to get another 100k out of this car if possible.

 

[Brogy]

We'll i'd suggest first a higher octane grade and hope that stops the pinging.

My dads 2003 outback recommends 87 octane, but pings unless he uses at least 89.

 

[Anduril]

That's the first thing I tried. It's better, but still pings even on 91.

 

[Brogy]

Just read your other post, I agree with the other poster, perform a major tuneup on this car (plugs, wires, O2, I know it doesnt have a fuel filter you can access, but whatever else the manual suggests replacing) if this stuff hasnt been done before.

You could do all this stuff in 2 hours time yourself with a trip to autozone or pepboys, for around $100.

I think you could easily get 100k out of this engine worry free, even more if you take good care of it. I'd suggest maybe an engine flush, but after that just regular oil changes.

 

[Anduril]

How easy are the O2 sensors to do myself? I don't have the shop manual for this car, so where would I find them? Would there be any issues passing a California smog test? And what kind of plugs should I use for this engine?

I'd rather not do an engine flush, but I plan to run an Auto-RX cycle and then switch to synthetic oil.

Sorry I've got so many (probably dumb) questions, but I'm trying to learn how to keep this thing alive as long as possible.

 

[Rodbuckler]

The O2 sensors can be turned out with a wrench just like a spark plug. Pull the foward O2 sensors along with the spark plugs and read them for us. Your rings might be hung and the oil dilution causing the pinging. What do the plugs and O2 sensors look like? Does it use much oil?

 

[Brogy]

O2 sensor (for my car, 94 corolla) was on the engine block, across from the radiator.

It's just as simple as rod said: two bolts you screw off, unplug a wire, and screw the new one back in and plug it in. I bought a bosch for my car for $50 at pepboys. Price may be higher for yours, but it's a replace every 100k item.

You may notice a difference, chances are you won't, but even so it's an item you're supposed to replace. You'd probally still pass emmissions without it.

Plugs are probally overdue. Actually I don't belive you ever said the mileage on your car, but from what I can guess it's hovering 100k.

Plugs are the cheapest thing you'll ever find. Just go to the parts counter at any auto store and tell them what kind of car you have. Get a decent plug, ask for the bosch +2, they're only like $4 a pop and pregapped, platinum too.

Some places (pepboys I found) like to make it difficult. Person asked me what make, model, 4 or 6 cylinder (tells how much he knew about cars if he needs to ask me this) then said he needed the first two letters of my VIN. Well since I didnt drive the car there they couldnt sell me plugs, great service.

Since you dont have one already invest in an owners manual, only $18 and is a great way to know your car and save money. It'll clearly outline every step you need to do and what you'll need to do it.

Actually let me grab my manual... it's for 1993-2002 corollas.

ok, diagnosis:

Pinging or knocking engine sounds during acceleration or uphill:

1.incorrect fuel grade
2.ignition timing incorrect
3.fuel injection system faulty
4.improper or damaged spark plugs or wires
5. worn or damaged distributor components
6.egr valve not functioning
7.vacuum leak

Spark plug check and replacement (every 30,00 miles or 24 months)

It's got plenty of goodies and diagnosis steps like that, haynes is the author.

From what I gather simple first steps would be to replace plugs and maybe run a bottle of techron in the gas tank.

Too tired right now to go into further detail, pick up a manual tommorow, it can save you thousands and keep your car running new for a long time.

And about autorx, you can give it a shot, only reason I didnt recommend it was because im currently using it right now, in my second phase, havent noticed any increase power, fuel economy, lower consumption or anything of that effect as of yet, so im not convinced yet it does anything.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Great advice Brogy. I've heard about the spark plugs making a knocking/misfiring under acceleration. That could possibly be the problem. I've also heard that the valves can cause this problem, and need to be lashed/adjusted. Fuel Injectors are another possible cause (but wasn't the case in my car). I'll be replacing my plugs/wires tomorrow and i'll see if that fixes the problem in my car, and report back with my findings. I know it's probably not the same situation, but it's nice finding some possibilities with experience.

 

[Merkava_4]

Check Engine Light - is it on?

I don't believe the ignition timing is adjustable on this engine.

Water Temp Sensor - if it is reading out of range, the computer will think the engine is cooler than it really is and advance the timing too far.

Knock Sensor - if it was doing its job like it's suppose to, you wouldn't be having any ping.

EGR Valve - if it failed in the closed position, that would cause the engine to run hot causing the ping.

Spark Plugs - it's possible that plugs with too hot of a heat range were installed at some time.

 

[hominid7]

Quote:

---

I posted this in another topic but I thought I'd get more replies if I gave it its own thread. My mom gave me her 2002 Corolla, as she has upgraded to a Camry. However, it pings like crazy (even when I'm just cruising on the freeway at about 70 or so), and she claims this is "normal." I know it's not, and I seafoamed the engine today twice, but it does not seem to have solved the problem. Maybe made it slightly better, but not solved it. I need to drive this car 400 miles on Sunday, and I'd like it to not ping. What should I look for to solve this issue?

EDIT: This engine has also had spotty oil changes, done at wal-mart with the cheapest oil possible. If I take off the filler cap, I can see some sludge forming if I shine a flashlight inside of it. Sounds like a good candidate for Auto-RX to me, I'm going to get another 100k out of this car if possible.

---

A little sea-foam in the crankcase prior to your next oil change followed by a few very short oil change intervals will likely clean any sludge problems up assuming they are not too bad.

I'd agree with other posters that it sounds like new spark plugs are in your future.

 

[hominid7]

and another thing...... after sea-foaming a cruddy engine often is it necessary to replace the plugs as they get even more fouled after the sea-foam treatment. Get some decent platinum plugs (NGK, Denso, Autolite) change your oil again and go from there...

 

[simple_gifts]

Don't go to higher octane fuel until a complete tuneup is done. If you change 2 things at once and the problem goes away, you won't know what the problem was/is.

 

[mechtech2]

Spark plugs will only cause pinging/knock if they are the wrong heat range [too hot]. This MAY be your problem. A tune up won't fix pinging. How could it? It isn't misfiring, it needs more octane for the conditions.
A thermostat that is too warm will also cause this. Air intake that is too warm will cause pinging, as well.

 

[cousincletus]

I would try cold plugs first and see what happens. That will probably fix the problem. If not, then start throwing sensors at it (unless the CEL is on, then you can take a more educated guess).

 

[cousincletus]

BTW I had a pinging issue with my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 3.9 V-6. It was worse in winter and would go away with 89 octane, but when I did a tuneup I put Autolite 3923 plugs in it (colder plugs) and now I can run 87 octane year round w/o pinging. I'm getting about 1 mpg lower mileage overall w/cold plugs (went from 22 highway to 20-21). For some strange reason around town mileage is the same at 18-19 mpg.

 

[unDummy]

A tune up can fix pinging. I do it all the time here.

Because the car is 5 years old, a thorough tuneup is a good starting point. Plugs, filters(air/fuel), thermostat, PCV, coolant flush, ATF and PSF flush, are cheap enough to do now. A bottle of BG44k, Regane, Techron, 3m, Redline,.....should be considered for the next few full tanks of gas. FI cleaning will clean up the injector spray, reduce IVDs, and hopefully give the pistons and CC's a decarboning.

Switch to a top tier gas. Stick with super unleaded. Don't rule out 'cheating' gas stations.
Test/inspect everything mentioned in the previous posts. IMO, neglected vehicles tend to develop issues quickly. Testing sensors(o2, temp, MAF, knock) is a must and might require the factory service manual.

Colder plugs, colder thermostats,....are bandaids to the real problem. Sorry but new cars should not ping/knock on recommended fuel.

Frequent oil changes is a good thing to start now. No need for any oil additives or flush products until you locate the issue. Most name brand cheap oils now are advertised as sludge removing, controlling, cleaning......

I'd wager that some clown knocked off a vacuum line during the quicklube visits. Inpect them all.

And, if the vehicles is 5 years old, and has never had quality FI cleaners, you could possibly solve the issue quickly with simple FI cleaners in the fuel. Sorry, but Seafoaming is overrated and typically not done correctly.

 

[JustinH]

I'd start by putting a new set of OEM plugs in it, and see where that goes.