Ok, I must have done something wrong at some point. I am getting ping all the time.. mainly in Open Loop(normal operating temp). I can actually hear the ping between shifts, when the RPMs fall and there is more load on the motor in the lower RPMs.
So far, I have replaced the O2 sensor, and put on some exhaust I built for the car. I know it flows a ton better cause the EGR no longer works from lack of either backpressure, or vacume. Anyway, the ping has been happening since the exhaust was done. I've ran SeaFoam through it and that helps for about a day. The only way I can drive without ping is to retard the timing to about -1* to -2* base. I tried running some higer octane fuel, but that does nothing but empty the wallet.
I know that some chip burning would probably solve things, but I'm wondering if there are any ways that I can solve this mechanically, without running really retarded timing.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

 

The EGR could be your problem if its throwing a code. If you really have that free flowing of exhaust I think there are EGR valves that don't operate off of back pressure. Can't really remember what they're called but somebody will say it I'm sure, something like positive or negative valves(?). Also check for exhaust leaks, are you sure that's not what you're hearing? You shouldn't really be able to hear knock unless its knocking real bad because at the sign of knock the ECM pulls out timing to prevent it before it even becomes audible.

 

Unless he didn't unp[lug the ESC when he was setting the timing. Also if the car wasn't fully warmed up that can effect the timing as well. Before I leanred about the "correct way" to set the timing I set it without unplugging the ESC. It knocked so hard you could hear it at any RPM.

 

Yeah, I made sure to disconnect the ESC before setting base timing. I also waited till the car was warm.. I set it after about a half hour drive. Right after the exhaust was done, I was able to pull second gear scratches, but now the timing is so low that it's lost all that power.
Or could my problem be that the timing is set too low? That the spark is happening too late instead of too early?

I ran the car on a diagnositc program and logged over 100 pings in about a 1/4 mile. So, I quickly set it back again. I have done a bit if experimenting with this, but I guess not enough.

So.. should I try advancing the timing a bunch, or just keep retarding it to the point where all the power is gone?

 

I would start at zero base. If you get ping there than something is faulty and it is not your fuel or timing. You could have some serious depsoits that are causing ping. How many miles do you have?

 

Hahaha.. how many miles? I have about 155,000.
I am working on building a new motor though. So this stuff really isn't a huge problem. I just wanted to fix it if possible, cause the motor isn't going in anytime real soon.