192 is the OEM thermostat temp

Not only pings but has unsteady idle. Replaced the idle air controller (think that's what it's called) but still does it. Does get better when I run E85 but man it clatters like a sob when I run 87 and get on it, like to pass.

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2000 Ranger 3.0 Flex auto SC 100K+

Bumping this because recently I quit running E85 and damned if that clatter didn't come back.
Engine clatters loudly when I get down on it and thing always idles rough/unsteady. It's been doing this since I bought it at 11,000 mi and now has 154,000. I quit running ethanol in it which amazingly enough, it wouldn't clatter when I ran E85. Still idled rough though. I try to use Shell or Chevron when possible. Mileage isn't too bad. Also, it only does this when motor is warm/hot not in morning when cold.

I noticed yesterday it does it even under normal acceleration but weird thing is not all the time it seems. Sometimes barely audible.

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2000 Ranger 3.0 Flex auto SC 100K+

Our Taurus did it since 50k miles. Lifters under load make a hell of a racket. Still runs like a champ though, 200k+ miles strong!

That's weird. My truck has almost 197k miles and not a single pinging problem.

It did however ping when I first bought it, but come to find out the spark plugs were worn so bad that I was surprised it started. In the morning it sounded like a wrist pin was coming apart in one of the pistons. New plugs and she was good as new

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Brandon

2000 Ford ranger 4x4 steppie 3.0
Deep Wedgewood Blue
Cooper Discoverer AT'3 265/75/16

The company name sure isnt gonna matter to your engine. What year model iis it ? Might actually be timed a tad slow somehow.

Ha no, not sure if you were aware but Shell and Chevron purportedly have the best gas with Diamond Shamrock/Valero running 3rd. Believe it or not I do seem to get good mileage from using Shell. Reason I mentioned gas brand was the old adage bad gas causes pinging.

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Wish I could say that for our '03 Taurus. Well, the motor might be good it's just everything else breaks down. Have to replace the compressor now.

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2000 Ranger 3.0 Flex auto SC 100K+

As terrible as that car was, even though it was wrecked twice, we never had an issue with it. I think the AC compressor went out and 1 O2 sensor went bad, but that was it. The thing's a tank, but it's not fun to drive at all. Like riding in a large fruitcake from last Christmas.

[QUOTE=SGL1;2072847]Ha no, not sure if you were aware but Shell and Chevron purportedly have the best gas with Diamond Shamrock/Valero running 3rd. Believe it or not I do seem to get good mileage from using Shell. Reason I mentioned gas brand was the old adage bad gas causes pinging.

It all comes from the same place !

Maybe the petroleum itself, but the additive packages are added after processing and are proprietary to each gasoline company. Shell, BP, and Chevron are all top tier and have the most detergents in their blends.

How in the heck would you know what and how much of it the gas companies are putting in the gas ?

I just read that Exxon has the most detergents in their gas than any other gas company.

You can't know specifics due to their proprietary formulations, and anything you read is basically heresay. But if you buy top tier, at least you know you're getting gas that has a minimum detergent concentration significantly higher than non-top tier.

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

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In addition, going by VOA's, Mobil (Exxon) and Shell (obviously Shell) oils have great additive packages. You can't of course draw conclusions from motor oil to gasoline, but my guess is if an oil company makes great additive packages in their motor oil, then their gasoline might follow a similar trend. I've always had great luck with Shell gas, but also BP gas (also because it's 400 feet from my house).

Well you shouldn't just make blind statements that Shell and BP have the best gas because you like them and they are convenient to you.

Neither should you Mr. Exxon Valdez. I never said they were the best; I said I've had good luck with them. Across up-teen engine builds and fuel injector jobs, my cars run BP and they look a heck of a lot cleaner than what I've seen come from off brands. So I'd hardly call my statements blind. In fact, three posts ago you were saying all gas comes from the same place...

You shouldn't make statements just to hear yourself type.