My engine is knocking/pinging on 87/89 octane

[Mack.]

I don't have a great answer to your question, but instead of running a higher octane fuel, try running top tier fuel. I am also from PA and never use Sheetz gas. If you aren't familiar with top tier fuel, do a quick Google. It will give you a list of nearby stations.

Might not solve your issue but worth a shot.

Isin't sheetz German for ''shits''?

Sponsored

 

[roaniecowpony]

Well, it's been almost 2 years since the last post from the op. I figure he doesn't consider it a problem anymore.

Isin't sheetz German for ''shits''?

 

[Karlow17]

Use 89 octane in it instead of 87 and your problem will be solved. They raised the compression when they redesigned the engine and really should've bumped the octane a bit to compensate. Sure it runs just fine on 87 but in circumstances like that it'll ping.

I’ve tried 93 octane from Shell on my 2018 JL and still have engine pinging when going uphill. Changed PCV valve, no change. Flashed PCM at dealer, no change. No codes or anything either. Not sure what else to try as it’s not under warranty. You’d think the knock sensors would pick it up

 

[Mack.]

When I run 87 octane or even 89 (up to the avg. of 15% ethanol), the motor pings and knocks at complete random RPM's, but absolutley ALWAYS does it when the engine is under a load. For example: it's a manual, so when im in first gear, go to about 9-10 mph, shift into 2nd gear, disengage the clutch and give it some throttle, its a pretty loud ping/knock that will last approximately 1 full second until torque has developed and there's no longer a stressful load on the engine. However, at any random time, no matter what gear or MPH, it will ping or knock. The only time it doesn't do this is when it is VERY cold (I live in PA), or when i am at highway speeds. There are absolutley no CEL's. The knock sensor isnt even picking it up. The motor is completely stock. 51,000 miles. I have OCD and change the oil every 3000 miles with AMSOIL 0-20 and a WIX filter. I always let this motor warm up to 120+ degrees before driving, and baby it until it reaches fully operating temperature (coolant and oil). Oil pressure is constant a 31 PSI. I have also did a smoke test to check for any vacuum leaks and could not find any. It also does not ping/knock when revved up in neutral or at idle.

I thought for the longest time that it was a loose nut/bolt rattling around the frame or engine bay, and i searched for a "rattle" (which is the only way to describe the sound if i didn't find out later it was in fact engine ping/knock), and i couldn't find shit. i looked under that engine and inside the frame holes and checked every single nut and bolt that was exposed enough for me to touch and made sure they were at the least finger tight and not moving around. i thought maybe the vibration in that specific RPM/throttle % zone would cause a vibration throughout the chassis/engine and it was just rattling a rock or nut or bolt or something.

Fast forward to July 4. The gas station chain (Sheetz) was selling gas, in any octane, for $1.776. I was 25 miles to empty, so i filled with 93 octane. i drove home (~2 miles) and motor was still pinging. Parked it and haven't drove it...

Until yesterday. Not only did I notice NO knocking/pinging whatsoever, the entire thing runs so much smoother. No matter what load i put on the engine, how low my rpm's were, how high the gear was, it NEVER knocked or pinged one time, and it was 91 degrees here.

Heres my questions:
1 - How do i fix this? I have an aftermarket warranty, but would they replace the engine or re-tune this?
2 - Before posting this I've read threads and people say this is common? and that FCA/Jeep said to just run 91+ and keep it above 2k RPM's? is this true? this vehicle is not REQUIRED to run 91+ octane, and i would imagine there would be a recall for an engine re-tune considering this cant be good for the motor?

I can try to post video of this noise, but my doors/top is off at the moment. I can link videos extremely similar to the noise it makes that i have found on youtube if that helps.

Excellent advise!

 

[Mack.]

I’ve tried 93 octane from Shell on my 2018 JL and still have engine pinging when going uphill. Changed PCV valve, no change. Flashed PCM at dealer, no change. No codes or anything either. Not sure what else to try as it’s not under warranty. You’d think the knock sensors would pick it up

I was a hard core Super Shell user for years. High octane = better milage. The Shell of today gives my 2025 wrangler the worst milage ever. I tried them all and Speedway out did them all and Mobile came in at a close second. These cut rate gas stations sell crap these days. We would put ATF in our gas to cut the carbon build up occasionlly and it did wonders. The ATF would probably severely damage these rolling computers we now drive.

Sponsored