[Blogandc2300]

Just bought a 2009 power wagon. I've filled It 3or4times with 87 octane and started hearing the ping. I didn't know any better. Now I do. I just filled it with a tank of 89' still had a quarter of 87, pinging is better but still noticeable. I don't remember it pinging when I drove off the lot, so I hope the previous owner was putting 89 in it. Will it take a few tanks of 89 to clear it out? Are there any additives I can use to help? Thanks

 

[MidNightExpress]

If you put 93 octane in it may help average you back to atleast 89 octane

 

[snrusnak]

^what he said. Fill it up with 91 or 93 for one or two tanks. Then go back to 89. If it's still pinging then try 91. If it's still pinging, something else is wrong.

 

[polarisproxr]

I was gonna also ask about this. Im currently running 87 octane I dont hear any pinging. I know 89 is recommended so im just wondering if you guys are noticing better mileage or more power running the 89 or 91 compared to the 87.

 

[TNC]

I don't get pinging in my '12 either, polaris, and I run 87 octane...during the winter some of it is even in the '86 octane range. Even with my travel trailer hooked up, I get no pinging. The knock sensor and other components in the ECM system must be pretty good at doing their job. Generally there is some power and fuel mileage gain in vehicles like ours when using higher octane fuel because the timing and other factors can compensate to take advantage of it, but it's usually small.

Blog, I would think your '09 is very similar to the '12 in its timing and detonation issues, but I'm not positive of that. Plus, isn't the '09 Power Wagon quite a bit heavier than the regular 1/2 ton Ram pickup? Maybe that has some bearing too. I also wonder if you have some combustion chamber and/or piston crown buildup and deposits that are affecting your detonation issue? I've seen this happen on some vehicles with some mileage on them. Detonation is also sometimes caused by a breakdown in the ignition system. How old are your sparkplugs?

 

[snrusnak]

Also, the engine isn't running real hot is it? Like 205-210 deg F max is what it should be at.

 

[Blogandc2300]

Yes the power wagon is 2500. It's not running hot and it ran fine when I bought it a month ago. I'm assuming it's the gas. I hope that's all it is. I'll take a look at the plugs as well. The truck has 50k on it and appears to be well taken care of. There was a noticeable change when I put in the 89. I'm going to put in premium tomorrow and see what happens. I'll let y'all know. Thanks guys!

 

[Blogandc2300]

The verdict is in

Filled her up with 89 this morning and threw in some Lucas gas treatment as well. It's all good now. Purrs likes a kitten. Thanks for tech support. Learned a valuable lesson about gas. Taking it in for new plugs and fuel injector cleaning next week.

 

[dodgert]

Been running 87 octane for a year 1 tank a week and yet to have pinging add for those that think omg the manual says i must run 89 LOL just try running 87 and add gas treatment 1 time a month

But anyhow if 89 works then hey use it but dont use premium all the time not only will it not improve shit it will actually hurt the engine in the long run.

 

[THasse]

Dodgert, how do you mean Premium will actually hurt the engine in the long run, that's a new one to me...

 

[snrusnak]

^using higher octane than necessary can cause carbon buildup. I assume that's what he's referring to.

 

[dodgert]

^using higher octane than necessary can cause carbon buildup. I assume that's what he's referring to.

Yes sir lol that lovely black gunk

 

[dodgert]

Dodgert, how do you mean Premium will actually hurt the engine in the long run, that's a new one to me...

Dont believe me look it up will cause deposits over time

 

[dodgert]

As quoted from a magazine



High-octane gas isn't necessarily better than regular grade. It isn't somehow more pure and it doesn't go through a superior refining process. It doesn't even keep your engine cleaner, as some people seem to believe. Premium fuel is just gas that contains a mixture of hydrocarbons that are slightly less combustible than those found in lower octane gas. This might seem odd, since cars use internal combustion engines that rely on the combustibility of gasoline to make them go. So, why would you pay extra money for gas that doesn't ignite quite as well as less expensive gas?

 

[Blogandc2300]

Re

Been running 87 octane for a year 1 tank a week and yet to have pinging add for those that think omg the manual says i must run 89 LOL just try running 87 and add gas treatment 1 time a month

But anyhow if 89 works then hey use it but dont use premium all the time not only will it not improve shit it will actually hurt the engine in the long run.[

According to the service guy at the dealer this is more of an issue with the heavier 2500 power ram. I just bought the truck and the original owner was more than liken filling it with 89 for 50k miles. The I get it and start putting 87 in and it was pinging like crazy. Maybe if had been getting 87 the whole time it wouldn't do that. Don't know. I filled it up with 89 and its running much better.

 

[pogster]

Higher octane fuels are not better grades, they are simply a little more difficult to ignite from hotspots in the combustion chamber. If the knock sensor detects pre-detonation it'll retard the timing which has a bit of a negative effect on fuel mileage and power. If you are having problems try a better brand of fuel.

I run 87 unless pulling a load and have never had a problem but I also stay away from cheap gas. The manual doesn't say you must use 89. It is recommended, not required - big difference. It's how you are going to use the truck that should determine which octane to use.

I agree with TNC in that there's likely a carbon build up in the combustion chamber that's causing the problem.

Filling it with premium thinking it'll clean your engine is a waste of money.

 

[Zeus]

Just to throw this out there I have an 09 that I run 87 in even while pulling a boat in the 8-9K lb range. I have never heard my engine ping

 

[TNC]

Just to throw this out there I have an 09 that I run 87 in even while pulling a boat in the 8-9K lb range. I have never heard my engine ping

Yep, like I mentioned earlier in this thread, I have the same results. I was just towing my 5000 pound+ travel trailer yesterday down I-20 with no pinging and plenty of power. I'm still amazed at how easily this truck will cruise in top gear in the tow/haul mode at 1900 rpm with 3:55 gears. If there's a condition where pinging should occur, it should be relatively low rpm cruising with a load and 87 octane.

 

[snrusnak]

Really no matter what fuel you put in (even say 80 octane) it shouldn't ping because the computer will retard timing. There are knock sensors that will hear the pinging before you do and retard timing. You'll just suffer a loss of power.