Engine Ping! - 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor

[RepMontreal]

I've registered the engine serial number with Ford Performance and it doesn't show me anything. Other than taking it to the dealer, I don't know how else to check for a tune. I'm reluctant to mention a tune to the dealer's service center in case its not a Ford tune...I don't want to lose my warranty.

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[JDG]

Here's a video I just took after putting in a WIX paper air filter (nobody had a Motorcraft version). This is with new plugs, half a tank of 93 with half a tank of 87, and the new filter. It actually sounds worse after the new air filter. The pinging starts at the 16 second mark.

Sounds like noisy direct injection to me. Or I can’t hear the pinging over the other noises. I really don’t think that is pinging you're hearing.

Agreed. Definitely not pinging. Sounds like a host of normal direct injection noises with a hint of HPFP mixed in.

 

[Jason B]

Curious, would you not get some kind of code if the ECU sensed excess knocking?

 

[RepMontreal]

Agreed. Definitely not pinging. Sounds like a host of normal direct injection noises with a hint of HPFP mixed in.

So that random clicking noise that sounds like something rattling inside the engine isn't ping? From what I've been told and the things I've heard, it sounds exactly like it. Once again, I had an old Dodge that had the same sound and it was identified as engine ping, plus any video you watch on youtube with engine ping audio sounds like it too. I don't know what the HPFP is, but the DPFE was just replaced and its a vacuum sensor. Why would it make a clicking noise?

 

[Jason B]

I hear the ticking starting around 16 secs. It's like 2 or 3 times a second, but I don't know what it is.

HPFP = High Pressure Fuel Pump. Our engines are direct injection and need high pressure to get the fuel into the cylinders, similar to diesel engines.

 

[Wytchdctr]

My high pressure fuel pump makes noise when it's 50-60 degrees out and between 3 and 4k rpm. It didn't start it up until after a year or so. Why? No idea. It's working fine other than that weirdly specific set of variables that make it sound like it's pinging, from inside the cab anyway.

Literally just ordered that goofy foam cover I wasn't going to touch... but it's about to cool off soon and I don't want to hear that freaking noise and they are back in stock with the install hardware.

 

[RepMontreal]

I hear the ticking starting around 16 secs. It's like 2 or 3 times a second, but I don't know what it is.

HPFP = High Pressure Fuel Pump. Our engines are direct injection and need high pressure to get the fuel into the cylinders, similar to diesel engines.

Inside the cab it sounds like this video of an F150 I found, although it's not as severe as this. But backing off the throttle does make it stop. Same noise though, just from a different perspective.

 

[Wytchdctr]

I hear the ticking starting around 16 secs. It's like 2 or 3 times a second, but I don't know what it is.

HPFP = High Pressure Fuel Pump. Our engines are direct injection and need high pressure to get the fuel into the cylinders, similar to diesel engines.

I heard it as well but like you. No idea whats causing that. My issue has to be driven to get it to make the noise. Revving sitting still doesn't do it so a stethoscope is out. Unless someone is really brave.

 

[RepMontreal]

I heard it as well but like you. No idea whats causing that. My issue has to be driven to get it to make the noise. Revving sitting still doesn't do it so a stethoscope is out. Unless someone is really brave.

Reving it without a load won't make it audible enough. I beleive the engine has to have a load on it. But it's possible we have a similar issue. I've had other car guys tell me this is ping; and if so, its something we should all be worried about with these engines. Hopefully we'll get some more input. It'd be nice if we could identify what the noise is - ping or not.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

Here's a video I just took after putting in a WIX paper air filter (nobody had a Motorcraft version). This is with new plugs, half a tank of 93 with half a tank of 87, and the new filter. It actually sounds worse after the new air filter. The pinging starts at the 16 second mark.

Sounds like someone stuck a kazoo under your car.

 

[Motorpsychology]

I wonder if it's possible you are hearing the hpfp like on mine when it cools down some. Not the truck but the ambient temp. Once it's 50 to 60s I hear what I thought was ping but it's the noisy fuel system. I'm about to order an engine cover to see if that helps cut down on the noise.

My thought exactly.

 

[5thranger]

16.4 seems low. I have a 2023 Tremor and average around 21 mpg completely stock on premium. This is basically commuting to and from work in town. On the highway, mpg is much higher. I’ve seen it as high as 26.5 in some cases on long trips.

Agree, with premium alcohol free gas your mileage will be well into the 20's there is something amiss go back to stock every thing and see what happens. I don't mess with the factory components as it does very well as built.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Reving it without a load won't make it audible enough. I beleive the engine has to have a load on it. But it's possible we have a similar issue. I've had other car guys tell me this is ping; and if so, its something we should all be worried about with these engines. Hopefully we'll get some more input. It'd be nice if we could identify what the noise is - ping or not.

It sounds like the direct injection to me: a clatter-clicking sound, that sounds like a 10 speed bicycle when coasting.whereas pre ignition will sound more like rapping on a hollow steel tube; more of a ringing than a clatter, not as rapidand only under load. I heard your FI clatter idle and low, but nothing as the rpm increased. Knocking or pinging would be loud enough to drown out pretty much everything else. The clatter FI won't go away ever, but quite somewhat with ≥91 octane.

Big caution:

Do not use 93 octane if it is E-30! The engine is only rated for E-15 or less; Do not use fuel that is higher than that, like E

Sounds like someone stuck a kazoo under your car.

-30, E-85 or Flexfuel, or it can mess with the injector nozzles and emissions equipment.

 

[Wytchdctr]

Semi related:

I got the stethoscope out after messing around with the intake. Sort of curious what was making all the noise at idle. Poked the near near the cam phasers and chain. Sounds nice and normal - very quiet actually. Poked the valve cover over the valves. Nice and normal; also very quiet and acting as expected. Poked around other bits. Nice normal noises.

Poked the HPFP. Not loud at all, but I could hear it a good bit.

Then... then I touched the high pressure fuel line........ Holy crap the noise from that was unexpected for a freaking fuel line. Probably feedback coming from the injectors. I don't fuel is pulsing down the line hard enough to do that..... very loud.

So now I wonder if my weird temp and rpm related noise is the HPFP or just the injectors.

 

[JTDay]

I can hear the noise in your video. Mine made the noise yours is making and also made the noise the f150 was making in the video you shared. Its knock. Run out all of that 93/87 blend you're running and dump in a full tank of 93. I ran 93 exclusively and it still knocked

If I were you, I'd try to find out if the engine is tuned and if so, have Ford reflash the stock tune back in.

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