What causes a ping in engine when it first starts on 1993 mark 8?

Answer 1

The 'ping' could be caused by the timing being 'advanced' too much..., or more likely by low octane fuel. First, try adding a bottle of octane booster to the gas. If this solves the problem, don't buy gas from the place you bought from that caused the 'ping'. If it does not solve the problem, have the timing checked (and pray you don't have to replace the chains and gears). If you hear a 'clicking' type noise, I would say the lifters are a bit 'sticky'. If the lifters are not worn out, try adding about 24 ounces of B12 Chemtool to your oil before you change it next time and drive it five or six miles. Drain your oil, replace your filter and oil (and be more diligent in changing your oil in the future). If it is 'sticky' lifters, this should solve your problem. If it doesn't, you may have a hydrolic lifter that needs replacing. If the ping happen when the engine are not running about a couple of hours it can be the hydraulic lifters. The pinging from the initial startup is a typical Ford thing, it is simply because the engine starts rapidly and the oil has not reached a few lifters yet(its dry for a second), typically when it has been sitting off all night, the ping should go away after a second or two, if not it could be a lifter problem. Answer #3 Define Pinging ? there is a bulletin out for the Mark VIII's and 4.6 Liter in general. T he timing chain tensioner bleeds off after setting several hours / overnight = cold start. The timing Chain will rattle for a few seconds until the tensioner pumps back up. How to tell. If you hear this try, starting your engine and kill it immediately do this two times. Then start engine and listen. If the noise is not there do this for the next several cold / cool starts if the noise is gone then the next cool / cold start, start the engine as you normally would. If the noise is there, it's the Tensioner & chain rattling not engine ping. There is an updated timing chain tensioner available to cure the problem. Problem is, I believe it pays 12 Hrs. labor rate to do the job not including any parts. A shop charging $75.00 a Flat Rate Hour that would be $900.00 labor plus parts. And if you need any thing such as Timing Chains & Gears . . . . Call your Banker to Okay the loan. Me? I started using an old engine detergent additive called CD2 it's detergent not an oil thickener and until it had a chance to work I started the engine twice everyday / cold start. Now sometimes it rattles most of the time it doesn't. I'm continuing the use of CD2 hopefully it will clean the tensioner up and stop the rattling for ever? drl