2011 Camry Engine Pinging

[Hokiefyd]

I recall a thread about the new Equinox having some spark knock issues, then Chevy issuing a TSB on that to fix it, so I'm wondering if the same might exist for the Camry with the AR engine.

My 2011 Camry's engine will ping slightly during throttle transitions and during shifting. During shifting, it's more evident at slower speeds. For example, if I have the windows open and an driving in the neighborhood, I'll hear some pinging for a half second or so during a shift. I guess as the engine loads down. I can also hear it during throttle movement, like during a steady cruise, moving from 10% to 30% throttle or similar. I can also hear it in the car at speed, and especially in 5th or 6th gear, moving the throttle around like noted before. The pinging isn’t constant, and doesn’t occur during general acceleration. Only during these periods of throttle transition. But it bugs me.

The car calls for 87 octane fuel and that’s what I’m using now. The brand of gas doesn’t seem to matter. Now that it’s gotten warmer out, it seems to do it more. Car only has 12,000 miles, so I’m sure it’s not carbon buildup. It has a fairly high compression ratio of 10.4:1 as I recall, but spark knock should still be controllable. My former Corolla never pinged like this.

Anyone else with a 2010/2011 Camry with the 4-cylinder hear any pinging? I plan to make an appointment with the dealer in the future, but wanted to get an idea of whether or not others are experiencing the same thing. I’m sure it’s not detrimental to the engine, but it still bothers me.

Thanks.

 

[190E26FTW]

First time I ve heard of this, but that does not mean it isnt happening. Let the dealer know and call Toyota Corporate to report it. They will get back to you asap after all the recent stuff going on with their cars. Then report back to us what you find.

 

[unDummy]

Knock sensor failing?
Thermostat too hot?
Coolant low?
Bad o2 sensor?

Dirty injectors screwing up A/F ratio. Run a bottle of quality FI cleaner every 5k-10k miles.

Under warranty is definitely a dealer visit.

 

[DrDusty86]

just try to run 89 or 91.. see if its solved....

 

[dtt004]

Hi.

Your ECU needs to be brought back to the dealer for a warranty replacement or repair. The pinging you are experiencing is a malfunction of the ECU and its ignition/timing. This is sometimes encountered in modern cars that utilize various technologies to reduce emissions. Most of the time, there are no problems. However, I would recommend taking it back to the dealer. I am not an engineer at Toyota...just offering my opinion. We encounter some of these problems at work. 90% of the time, the ECU was found to be working incorrectly. However, I cannot guarantee this is the problem you are experiencing. I'm just ruling out more significant problems that should not be the case with your car at its mileage.

Running 89-91 may or may not help. Only if the compression ratio is ~12:1 will you need a high octane fuel to prevent pre-detonation of the air-fuel mixture. Otherwise, the ECU is perfectly capable of adjusting itself to the different variables involved in fuel injection and combustion...if it is working properly.

I am guessing your 2011 Camry is still under warranty; I would take advantage of it quickly.

Or it could just be a function of the engine. Since it sounds like its pinging at lower speeds, its an attempt by the engine to lean out the air fuel mixture by 1.) allowing more air inside and 2.) retarding the ignition. This increases combustion temperatures to the point that it possibly could ignite the fuel mixture too early.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: dtt004
I am guessing your 2011 Camry is still under warranty; I would take advantage of it quickly.


Yes, it's got plenty of warranty left.

Originally Posted By: dtt004
Or it could just be a function of the engine. Since it sounds like its pinging at lower speeds, its an attempt by the engine to lean out the air fuel mixture by 1.) allowing more air inside and 2.) retarding the ignition. This increases combustion temperatures to the point that it possibly could ignite the fuel mixture too early.


This is my line of thinking. Because it doesn't ping under moderate/heavy acceleration, which is when pinging often occurs, I'm thinking that it's operating as designed, and this consequential knock is just a function of how the engine operates. Nobody but me would hear it on my car I'm sure. I'm super-sensitive to automotive noises.

I'm 95% sure that my dealer will either be unable to hear it or say that it's operating as designed. I was just trying to get an idea if others have been hearing the same thing. If I ever have to have a dealer diagnose something, I like to know the answer going in, if at all possible.

 

[JHZR2]

Higher octane gas is not a solution if the manual recommends 87. You bought a Toyota because society is brainwashed that they have superior quality and reliability. Let them put their money where their mouth is and make it right.

Demand a drive with a tech/shop foreman to be sure it is replicated, otherwise you'll likely get an OBD scan and "can not replicate" as your result...

 

[SatinSilver]

Try some Shell or similiar www.toptiergas.com .

 

[mechtech2]

Use higher octane fuel for a good quick fix.
Do you want to be constantly compensated for with massive retard going on from the knock sensor, or have a reasonable program running?

The costs may negate themselves because of better running.


But of course check with the dealer with your new car. A modified program/flash of the computer may be available.
Maybe a bad [high] thermostat is in there.

BTW, forget the absurd nonsense that only 12/1 needs high octane. You can knock at 7/1.

 

[rslifkin]

^ Agreed. Comp ratio is far from the determining factor in needing high octane. My Jeep needs 91 minimum, and will ping occasionally on slightly stale 93 in warm weather, and it's only 8.9:1 comp. In my case, it's a matter of very advanced ignition timing and no knock sensor.

As far as the Camry in question, I'd definitely take it to the dealer and take it for a test drive with a tech. Trying 89 octane to see if it runs any differently and/or fixes the pinging problem would be a worthwhile test too. If the computer can crank up the timing a bit on 89 (assuming it has a knock sensor), you might pick up a little power and mpg.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Higher octane gas is not a solution if the manual recommends 87. You bought a Toyota because society is brainwashed that they have superior quality and reliability.


I agree with your first sentence. Although I'd eventually like to try higher octane gas just to see if mileage/power improves, I want to make sure it's running correctly first.

As to your second sentence, I appreciate you assuming you know the reason why I bought this car, but if I told you you were incorrect, you're not likely to believe me anyway. Funny you used the word "brainwashed"; the irony here is "car guys" have brainwashed themselves into thinking that anyone who buys a Toyota necessarily does it because they're a sheep and have no decision-making skills about them. I think that's unfortunate, but that's the way it is I guess. You can think for yourself, and I can too. Buck the trend, and believe that I bought this car simply because I think it's the best sedan for my needs.

Back on topic, as I drove home this afternoon, I think the spark knock is worse than I originally thought. I can pretty repeatedly make it ping, and the temperatures are fairly moderate here today (85*F). I'm positive that the car didn't ping last year when I bought it. I'm going to make a dealer appointment soon and see what they say about it.

 

[The Critic]

Can someone post a video of a pinging sound? To this day, I still don't know what pinging sounds like.

 

[crinkles]

i've always thought of it like the sound of a stick shift dying at low speed if you don't put the clutch in.

 

[Ed_T]

My owners manual states that some pinging is normal. And it will ping now and then.

 

[SteveSRT8]

It's always "normal". Then you see the service writer and they say "they all do that".

If it's really pre-ignition it is potentially damaging to the engine. Most car makers have moved the top ring so close to the piston edge that there isn't enough material for any resistance to this problem. And PCM's are always 'listening' for spark knock, typically retarding it BEFORE it's heard.

If it is repeated enough serious damage can occur.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Can someone post a video of a pinging sound? To this day, I still don't know what pinging sounds like.


Pining sounds like a coffee can full of marbles. It's also called spark knock or detonataion. Diesel engines make this sound apon exceleration. But in a gasoline engine there is nowhere near the exhaust note of a diesel engine nor any black smoke. And the detonation is rapid, sorta like machine gun fire. Listen to a FORD F-250/350 6.0 PSD and you'll know what detonation sounds like. I like the sound in a FORD PSD but not a car.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I've always heard that you can't hear pre-ignition. Like you said, it's damaging to the engine, and if it really is occuring, you'll get a hole in a piston pretty quick. The knock sensor SHOULD be hearing the spark knock before I do, and the engine timing SHOULD be retarded before I ever know about it. Maybe there is a malfunctioning sensor or ECM; that would be great if it's as simple as that.

The engine ping with mine is not associated with any other effect. The engine doesn't bog, it doesn't run rough, and like I said, you really have to be listening for it. If you have the radio up, you can't hear it and would never know it's occuring.

I know I have several recourses if the dealer says this is normal. First, I'd ask to drive another 2011 model, to see if it does the same thing. Secondly, I'd have to call Toyota Corporate to see what they say. This wouldn't be the first time I've dealt with an automaker's corporate number before; we'll see if it sours me from the brand, like my last experience with "corporate" did.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I'd already own a ScanGauge (vs. waiting for my birthday like a good boy) if it would display the knock sensor activity, but I don't think it does. If the technician says he doesn't hear the knock, I'd love to ride with him with his scan tool plugged in to see if the knock sensor is even "talking" to the computer during the knock. It could be a completely dead knock sensor, but you'd think it'd throw a CEL if that were the case.

 

[charbaby]

I haven't had an engine ping in some time and I wouldn't expect a Camry to ping either.

If your not satisfied, keep hounding them.

Are you certain that it's not timing chain rattle like in my ALTIMA? It(Altima) too is miled while driving slowly around the block and nil anywhere else. You know better than us, I'm just throwing this out there as an alternative cause of noise.

Yours does sound more like pinging compared to mine as yours happens when the engine is warm and as outside temps rise, where mine is when the engine and outside temps are colder.

Good luck

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Until the knock sensor came on line [03 for Ford] every single car I owned had major pinging issues.