Pinging noise in engine - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

B-SHO · 12-09-2011, 11:09 AM

I have the 3.8 liter v6 engine in my 2001 camaro rs and when i accelerate past half throttle or rev it up while in neutral i hear this pinging noise in the engine. If i drive while under half throttle you dont hear it. The dealership i bought the car off of claims the 3.8 liter engines has that problem and its just a loose timing chain but i doubt it is that...

What is it?

camaroconnor · 12-09-2011, 09:20 PM

try seafoaming the motor and see if it clears up. If they say its the belts just check them to see if they are not tight

ndtguy · 12-10-2011, 01:08 PM

-What kind of "ping" is it (does it sound like ball bearings rolling around in a tin can)?
-What rpm does the noise start at?
-Have you filled the car up recently?
-How long has this been going on?

B-SHO · 12-10-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndtguy

-What kind of "ping" is it (does it sound like ball bearings rolling around in a tin can)?
-What rpm does the noise start at?
-Have you filled the car up recently?
-How long has this been going on?

Its like a fast ping when i go over half throttle, i guess you could compare it to ball bearings rolling around in a tin can lol. I havent filled the car up yet, i just got it a week ago, thank god there is a 1 year warrenty.. but this noise is driving me nuts! i want a good clean sounding engine.

ndtguy · 12-10-2011, 06:00 PM

If the car is designed to run 93 and there is 87 in the gas tank, that could give you the pinging.

Fill up the car with 93 and if you know anyone that sells 100-ish octane, try adding 2-3 gallons of that with the 93. It will raise your octane up. (NOTE: do not buy 'octane booster' at the store. It will not do enough unless you want to buy it by the gallons.) If the car stops pinging, then you know it was the gas.

If not, we'll have to figure something else out. To bad you don't live closer, I'd say bring it over so I could hear what it's doing.

B-SHO · 12-12-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndtguy

If the car is designed to run 93 and there is 87 in the gas tank, that could give you the pinging.

Fill up the car with 93 and if you know anyone that sells 100-ish octane, try adding 2-3 gallons of that with the 93. It will raise your octane up. (NOTE: do not buy 'octane booster' at the store. It will not do enough unless you want to buy it by the gallons.) If the car stops pinging, then you know it was the gas.

If not, we'll have to figure something else out. To bad you don't live closer, I'd say bring it over so I could hear what it's doing.

Surely the 3.8 liter engine isnt designed for premium gas... but i can try it out. I will let you know whats going on. I might make a video and post it on youtube and give you guys the link.

Revo1 · 12-12-2011, 11:00 PM

Ran my 3.8 on 87 all the time, never had an engine trouble...

cnwalden24@gmail.com · 12-13-2011, 06:58 PM

Yea 3.8s take 87 ive had it in mine for past couple months and nothings wrong with it lol im not cool enouph to have an ss :(

insidethreat07 · 12-13-2011, 07:03 PM

I usually just run 89 in mine. might run 93 when i go racing

ndtguy · 12-13-2011, 09:40 PM

I'm not up on the 3.8, but if there is water in the gas, the engine could still ping. Not saying that's the issue, but you start with the simple/cheap stuff and then move up the chain.

Nothing wrong with starting out with a 3.8. At least you have cool cars. The first car I ever drove daily was an 83 Dodge Aries stationwagon with a 2.2 and a manual 4 speed transmission. Oh, and it was baby s#|+ brown to boot. LOL

B-SHO · 12-15-2011, 02:05 PM

Alright guys i made a video and i posted it on youtube, here is the link...

Help :(

King Nothing · 12-15-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnwalden24@gmail.com

Yea 3.8s take 87 ive had it in mine for past couple months and nothings wrong with it lol im not cool enouph to have an ss :(

not everyone is but you should buy mine lol j/k

i had a 97 RS with the 3.8 series II and mine never pinged so i'd check your gas and your belts first

ndtguy · 12-15-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Nothing

not everyone is but you should buy mine lol j/k

i had a 97 RS with the 3.8 series II and mine never pinged so i'd check your gas and your belts first

Agreed. Verify that your tensioner is keeping the belt tight.

Almost looks (from the tach and the sound) it's pinging hard. I'd get new gas in there ASAP.

Can you get a video of the dash while driving down the road? (actually put a load on the engine, not just sitting still).

B-SHO · 12-16-2011, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndtguy

Agreed. Verify that your tensioner is keeping the belt tight.

Almost looks (from the tach and the sound) it's pinging hard. I'd get new gas in there ASAP.

Can you get a video of the dash while driving down the road? (actually put a load on the engine, not just sitting still).

When i drive down the road it does the same thing, only when i accelerate... so i dont see a point in another video.. lol

12-09-2011, 11:09 AM	#1
B-SHO Drives: 2001 Camaro RS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Richmond, IN Posts: 8	Pinging noise in engine I have the 3.8 liter v6 engine in my 2001 camaro rs and when i accelerate past half throttle or rev it up while in neutral i hear this pinging noise in the engine. If i drive while under half throttle you dont hear it. The dealership i bought the car off of claims the 3.8 liter engines has that problem and its just a loose timing chain but i doubt it is that... What is it?

12-10-2011, 01:08 PM	#3
ndtguy ^ Me. Things I write ~> Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 325	-What kind of "ping" is it (does it sound like ball bearings rolling around in a tin can)? -What rpm does the noise start at? -Have you filled the car up recently? -How long has this been going on? __________________ ndtguy New DD: 2010 Camaro SS L99/A6 - bone stock. Gone but not forgotten... - 2001 Camaro SS m6 - SLP lid, free ram-air mod, poly sway bar bushings/end links, BMR springs and bilsteins. - 1998 Trans Am m6, forged 347, T70;alky-water injection; intercooled, 208/230 .549/.579 121LSA, Moser 12 bolt, 561rwhp/611rwtq.

12-10-2011, 06:00 PM	#5
ndtguy ^ Me. Things I write ~> Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 325	If the car is designed to run 93 and there is 87 in the gas tank, that could give you the pinging. Fill up the car with 93 and if you know anyone that sells 100-ish octane, try adding 2-3 gallons of that with the 93. It will raise your octane up. (NOTE: do not buy 'octane booster' at the store. It will not do enough unless you want to buy it by the gallons.) If the car stops pinging, then you know it was the gas. If not, we'll have to figure something else out. To bad you don't live closer, I'd say bring it over so I could hear what it's doing. __________________ ndtguy New DD: 2010 Camaro SS L99/A6 - bone stock. Gone but not forgotten... - 2001 Camaro SS m6 - SLP lid, free ram-air mod, poly sway bar bushings/end links, BMR springs and bilsteins. - 1998 Trans Am m6, forged 347, T70;alky-water injection; intercooled, 208/230 .549/.579 121LSA, Moser 12 bolt, 561rwhp/611rwtq.

12-12-2011, 11:00 PM	#7
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	Ran my 3.8 on 87 all the time, never had an engine trouble... __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp

12-13-2011, 07:03 PM	#9
insidethreat07 Drives: 2001 Camaro 3.8 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Continental Ohio Posts: 11,108 View My Garage	I usually just run 89 in mine. might run 93 when i go racing __________________ 2001 Camaro V6 2016 Camaro 2SS

12-09-2011, 09:20 PM	#2
camaroconnor Drives: Black 2001 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sunrise, FL Posts: 44	try seafoaming the motor and see if it clears up. If they say its the belts just check them to see if they are not tight

12-13-2011, 06:58 PM	#8
cnwalden24@gmail.com Drives: Black 99 Camaro V6 5 Speed Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 39 View My Garage	Yea 3.8s take 87 ive had it in mine for past couple months and nothings wrong with it lol im not cool enouph to have an ss :(

12-13-2011, 09:40 PM	#10
ndtguy ^ Me. Things I write ~> Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 325	I'm not up on the 3.8, but if there is water in the gas, the engine could still ping. Not saying that's the issue, but you start with the simple/cheap stuff and then move up the chain. Nothing wrong with starting out with a 3.8. At least you have cool cars. The first car I ever drove daily was an 83 Dodge Aries stationwagon with a 2.2 and a manual 4 speed transmission. Oh, and it was baby s#\|+ brown to boot. LOL __________________ ndtguy New DD: 2010 Camaro SS L99/A6 - bone stock. Gone but not forgotten... - 2001 Camaro SS m6 - SLP lid, free ram-air mod, poly sway bar bushings/end links, BMR springs and bilsteins. - 1998 Trans Am m6, forged 347, T70;alky-water injection; intercooled, 208/230 .549/.579 121LSA, Moser 12 bolt, 561rwhp/611rwtq.

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