2008 pinging

[remoh]

Our 2008 Corolla has started pinging. It has 65k miles. Is this common? We started using higher octane gas and it stopped. Does anyone know how to correct this problem? Is this due to carbon build up in the combustion chamber?

[mikered30]

Does it happen under light or heavy acceleration or a certain elevation? Do you drive like a grandma? You will have to pull the plugs and take a look at them. If they are black with carbon, try doing a piston soak with Marvel mystery oil. You may have to run a colder plug, but before you do that, buy a bottom of Redline Sl-1 from pep boys or gumout regane and add that to a low tank of gas and fill up 3/4 of the way.

Temp gauge and coolant level ok? Was your car covered under the ECU recall? Consume any oil?

[sam333]

Normally the ECM will retard the timing before any damage is done( knock sensor ) or any pinging is heard.But in extreme conditions the ECM wont be able to retard the timing enough to stop pinging.65000 is really low milage to have enough carbon build up to cause pinging, but it is possible.Like mike30 said burning oil can cause carbon buildup which will raise you compression.Problems with timing , knock sensor,crank sensor, temperature , ECM, bad fuel can all cause pinging.

[remoh]

Thanks guys, I think we may have gotten a tank full of bad fuel. I am going to try and run some cleaner through it and see what happens.

[05_Echo]

Just clean the mass airflow sensor with some brake cleaner, it's just dirty, mine did the same thing. The MAS is close to your airbox and takes two philips screws to undo, undo the wiring harness, pull it out and you will want to wear goggles and just spray the crap out the inside and the little wires you see. Leave dry for a half hour, reinstall and your problem will be fixed.

[invader]

You mean the MAF/IAT sensor... The small brown head on two rods seen is your Intake Air temperature sensor. Mass Air Flow sensor is up inside. IAT gets dirtier on the side where it gets hit by air flow. It can be cleaned with intake/brake cleaner and Q-tip or other.

[05_Echo]

No I meant the Mass Airflow Sensor like the one in the picture and spray brake cleaner the wires it's the best way to clean them, never touch the fine wires with anything.

[invader]

It's actually a combined MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor and IAT (Intake Air Temperature) sensor. The exposed sensor at the bottom (IAT) can be cleaned with intake or brake cleaner and Q-tip or paper towel. The fine wires up inside (MAF) shouldn't be touched, but can be sprayed clean. Brake cleaner dries almost instantly.