Author Topic: 2005 Subaru Impreza RS pings! (Read 9824 times)

evilhomer · « **on:** August 09, 2005, 11:09:15 pm »

Hello.
Several months ago, I had posted a message describing the pinging problem of my car.
Basically my new car pings under load, for example, when AC is on or when crusing on uphill.

I searched this forum and found a car with the same problem (2002 Legacy).
Most people with this problem had to try all sort of things without much success.
At least I am not the only Subaru owner with this issue.

I had some spare time today, so I took the car to the service department.
At the end of the day, they told me that a technician testdrove it and experienced the pinging problem I described to them.
BUT they said there is nothing they can do to resolve this issue at the moment.
They admitted that this issue exists on some Subaru cars they serviced.
The only thing they were able to do was reporting this problem to the Subaru of Canada (I have no idea what this can do to my car though).
They told me the most important thing is the fact that we filed this problem, so I can say something if this problem leads to any major issue with the car in the future.
Their final position is that they want to wait until Subaru issues a service bulletin on this.

However, my overall impression is that they just don't want to be involved with this issue because they know finding and fixing the source of pinging will take a lot of time, effort and money without any guarantee.
Afterall, the general conception is that pinging doesn't harm the car much.

Should I live with this car by trying to ignore the annoying pinging sound or should I try to fix it probably by travelling to the service department dozens of times?

Or should I try to contact the manager of the dealership? They sold me a defective car and the service department cannot fix it (or they don't know how to fix it).

What are your suggestions?
Thank you in advance.

gta_driver · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2005, 12:00:22 am »

I know that the Impreza STi and WRX runs only on premium fuel does the RS?

evilhomer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2005, 12:13:29 am »

The manual and the service department say that it uses regular.

ovr50 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2005, 01:12:08 am »

Did you try premium anyway, regardless of the Manual and SD?? Might do it. Try both 91 and (God-forbid)94 octane.

mrthompson · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2005, 08:22:30 am »

'Some' pinging might be normal under certain conditions...i.e., a combination of load/grade and ambient temperature?

gta_driver · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2005, 01:06:38 pm »

Have you tried switching gas brands? I know both Esso and Shell gasolines have high sulphur content. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Sunoco sells the cleanest gas.

froggy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2005, 01:09:27 pm »

Mmm did not know that... And I always use Esso or Shell. Time to switch to Sunoco for "cleaner" driving!
Thanks Gta!

asdf · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2005, 02:16:23 pm »

My 2003 2.5rs has the same problem. I brought it several times but they weren't able to fix it. The most they did was reprogram the ECU, but that didn't help all that much.

As for the different gas; medium grade seems to work well in reducing the amount of pinging.

Interestingly, the pinging mostly occurs during warm temperatures with high humidity. I don't hear it as much during the winter.

evilhomer · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2005, 02:43:52 pm »

Thank you for your responses.

I will definitely try premium gas or different brand, Ovr50.
But I cannot justify the reason.

I don't know, Mrthompson.
I live in Vancouver.
The thing bothers me is that the loaner and 24hr-testdrive cars (Impreza) I drove before never pinged.
The service department said that only some cars show this problem.
I don't understand how the same 2005 Imprezas with the same fuel and load can differ this much.

Do I have a lemon?

citydude · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2005, 02:46:03 pm »

> At the end of the day, they told me that a technician testdrove it and experienced the pinging problem I described to them.
BUT they said there is nothing they can do to resolve this issue at the moment.
They admitted that this issue exists on some Subaru cars they serviced

Make sure they have this documented, and you keep a copy of it. In case something happens in the future, out of warranty, you can go back to them and say this has been happening since new.

I had a 98 Legacy GT before with the 2.5L engine, and I have always used regular fuel without problem.

Citydude

evilhomer · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2005, 09:52:40 pm »

Yes, Citydude.
They documented this, and I have a copy of it.

Hey, Asdf. I can feel your pain.
When I bought the car last December, it almost didn't ping.
I heard that pinging is more likely to happen when the engine is hot or the weather is warm (of course only if your car already has the pinging problem).

Do I have to live with this?

articsteve · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2005, 09:11:51 am »

Pinging or "detonation" is more likely to occur at low rpm under load in heat, but low rpm and load are the two main factors. Those motors must have cylinder heads that carbon easily so you have an increased compression situation. Automatics more prone than standard shifts. Premium gas it is for you.

Esso in Ontario is now low sulfur I do believe. It is easy to check. Stay away from Shell and Crappy Tire.

evilhomer · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2005, 11:49:47 am »

Thanks Articsteve.
I am going to try different brands once I use up the tank.
Do you think engine cleaners will be able to remove carbon buildup that has already been settled down?
If so, could you recommend any particular cleaner?
If not, why would that be?

Thank you.

mrthompson · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2005, 11:53:56 am »

Whatever you do, do not use STP. Their 'fuel system cleaner & water remover' is diesel fuel.

My dad and I have been using Lucasoil's fuel injection cleaner. It's available at Crappy Tire.

safristi · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2005, 01:33:06 pm »

Sunoco has LOW SULPHUR diesel too......

boytoys · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2005, 03:13:34 am »

if no result, try a different IP address..

jonl · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2005, 01:54:20 pm »

Lots of info available on Ultimate Subaru Forum; try posting your question there

http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/forum/

wing · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2005, 06:01:40 pm »

BoyToys, good one, geeks 'r us

evilhomer · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2005, 07:10:47 pm »

Thanks, Jonl.
I will try the forum.

Meanwhile, I am going to try fuel system cleaning which costs about $80.
According to many articles I have read so far, the most common cause of pinging is dirty fuel system (intake valves, spark plugs, ignition chamber and so on).
People say if pinging gets worse after the engine has warmed up (mine does), it is very likely that the dirty fuel system causes pinging rather than mechanical problems.
Dirty fuel system has a slightly smaller volume of ignition chamber (say 0.1% due to junks) which makes fuel/air mix to explode a little before ignition.
Fuel/air mix will explode even earlier if the engine is warm due to higher pressure generated by warm engine.
They say it can happen as new as about 5000Km cars.
Some cars will build up more junks because of different brands of gas or gas stations, driving locations, driving habits, maintenance schedule etc.

I hope this will resolve my issue.

robsaw · « **Reply #19 on:** September 13, 2005, 04:29:25 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on August 11, 2005, 11:53:56 am

Whatever you do, do not use STP. Their 'fuel system cleaner & water remover' is diesel fuel.

Not that most off-the-shelf fuel system cleaners/additives are any good, but STP Fuel System Cleaner isn't exactly diesel eithe, but close. It is:

Napthalene 20 - 42%
Trimethylbenzene 3 - 8%
Kerosine 60 - 80%