S550 2019 GT Engine Knocking / Pinging Once Fully Warmed Up

[The_Don_72]

Hi all,

I've been reading all the various topics on typewriter tick / BBQ tick etc, and while my car has the infamous 2k tick permanently there, it also has another issue for the past year.

Once fully warmed up (20+ minutes) the engine is knocking / pinging when changing gears, especially 2nd gear on throttle. It lasts for a second or so.

It is 100% knocking / pinging sound. My dealership can't get me in until end of October to assess, so I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue?

It is a PP1 manual with no engine mods. I run standard Australian fuel of either 95 RON or 98 RON.

Interested in people who have also had this issue and what was causing it.

It is definitely engine knocking / pinging NOT cold ticks or typewriters like most of the other threads I have been reading talk about.

Thank you

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[The_Don_72]

EDIT: I managed to get hold of the top Ford tech at my near by Ford centre and he advised that he has seen a few manuals with this issue but not enough for Ford to issue a new software remap update for.

He explained that it is more common in the manuals as they rely more on driver input for the driving sequence vs autos which are more controlled by the software.

He suggested adding a carbon clean product into my fuel tank and seeing if that helps otherwise there is nothing that can be done to stop it as Ford does not consider engine knock / ping to be that serious of an issue.

 

[ice445]

I'd have to hear it on video if you can. I've had something similar, but on the stock tune it's incredibly rare.

Even though it sounds like ping, it may not be. I've heard these ping like sounds while monitoring knock retard, which wasn't out of the ordinary numbers wise.

 

[The_Don_72]

I've tried recording it but it doesn't show up due to the engine noise while driving, but it is 100% engine ping / knock. I've heard all the other typewriter, 2k scratches etc and I don't know how some people confuse them for knock.

I grew up driving 1980's Nissan's which pinged like mad constantly and it is exactly the same sound which goes away once the knock sensors kick in after a second or so.

 

[ice445]

I've tried recording it but it doesn't show up due to the engine noise while driving, but it is 100% engine ping / knock. I've heard all the other typewriter, 2k scratches etc and I don't know how some people confuse them for knock.

I grew up driving 1980's Nissan's which pinged like mad constantly and it is exactly the same sound which goes away once the knock sensors kick in after a second or so.

Yeah, so it's the same thing I've heard. My issue with confidently calling it knock is that the sensors on these cars are incredibly sensitive. Unless you run out of timing reduction, you shouldn't be able to hear anything. On 98 fuel the problem should also be minimized. If its the same on 98 vs 95, then that also makes me doubt real ping. Flooring it in 5th or 6th should also replicate ping, but it didn't on my car. Only ever did it in 2nd or 3rd.

I've been wondering if it's something to do with the twin plate clutch, or the shift counterweight on the transmission.

 

[The_Don_72]

The tech said he had one other car he'd dealt with which had the same issue. They tried various things (I forget what he said but it was quite extensive) and his knock persisted. But his had been doing it almost since new.

He said Ford won't create a new engine software map for it as there are not enough vehicles with this issue, but that he was told it isn't harmful either.

I just can't get my head around how this cannot be harmful. I love the car but I hate driving it when it's got this issue and can't see how this cannot be bad for it.

I think my only hope is to add the carbon reducer to the fuel and hope that it does something otherwise I think I'm going to get rid of it as I don't like this weighing on my mind every time I drive it.

 

[ice445]

The tech said he had one other car he'd dealt with which had the same issue. They tried various things (I forget what he said but it was quite extensive) and his knock persisted. But his had been doing it almost since new.

He said Ford won't create a new engine software map for it as there are not enough vehicles with this issue, but that he was told it isn't harmful either.

I just can't get my head around how this cannot be harmful. I love the car but I hate driving it when it's got this issue and can't see how this cannot be bad for it.

I think my only hope is to add the carbon reducer to the fuel and hope that it does something otherwise I think I'm going to get rid of it as I don't like this weighing on my mind every time I drive it.

That's just very surprising that you'd get knock on the stock engine map with good fuel. I wonder what your pistons look like. I know the AUS calibration is a bit different, and it may be playing into things. But it's still cool there, isn't it? My car only did it when it was hot outside with a spicier calibration, although as I said, it seemed like the knock and the noise overlapped but weren't consistent with each other. I got it during downshifts in some cases, which is impossible if it's ping.

With that said, light ping isn't really harmful on a naturally aspirated engine. The manual even mentions this. But I do understand the frustration/embarrassment. Trust me, I tried figuring this out for quite some time. The only thing I can recommend is checking your long term fuel trims and making sure everything on the intake plenum is sealed up (this includes any catch cans).

This is what my pistons looked like after about 20k miles, fair bit of carbon but mine does not make the noise on the stock calibration anymore.

 

[The_Don_72]

Have you tried putting in a fuel additive to reduce carbon? I was wondering if maybe adding a catch can might help?

I've read pros and cons on the dozens of forum posts about them, but in theory they should help reduce carbon build up, if indeed this is my issue...

 

[ice445]

Have you tried putting in a fuel additive to reduce carbon? I was wondering if maybe adding a catch can might help?

I've read pros and cons on the dozens of forum posts about them, but in theory they should help reduce carbon build up, if indeed this is my issue...

I have been running a catch can for the last few thousand miles. Haven't rescoped since then, but I probably will soon. Have not used any fuel additives besides boostane, which seemed to help (but is not recommended for long term use due to the manganese deposits). Not sure if any additives would do much for this type of buildup on the crown.

If you do try a catch can, the Ford Performance once is what I'm using. Also swap in a new PCV valve while you're at it, just in case it's not fully closing.

 

[The_Don_72]

OK thanks for the tip. Keen to try a few things first before giving her the heave-go. I'd like to keep her long term (3 years ownership so far).

 

[ice445]

OK thanks for the tip. Keen to try a few things first before giving her the heave-go. I'd like to keep her long term (3 years ownership so far).

No problem. If you find anything out, definitely post back.

 

[The_Don_72]

I definitely will be doing so

 

[snake bite]

Hopefully it's fixable so I wish you luck. I wonder if fuel is an issue. I only ever put 98 Ron fuel, you indicated you do 95 or 98.

 

[The_Don_72]

Thanks. I will reply if I get some resolution. Yes I use either 95 or 98 and it does it on both.

They're rated for 94 minimum here in Australia.

 

[OzS550]

I’m sure my 2016 GT needs 98 and that’s with the 11:1 coyote.

I would have thought the 12:1 2018+ motor would need 98 even more.

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