Check 
 | Action 
 | 
DEFINITION: A mild
to severe ping, usually worse under acceleration. The engine makes sharp metallic
      knocks that change with  the throttle opening. 
 | 
Preliminary Checks 
 | Refer to 
Symptoms - Engine Controls 
. 
Verify the customer's concern. 
 | 
Cooling System Checks 
 | 
|     •  | Check for a low engine coolant level. |  
  
|     •  | Check for a correct coolant mixture.  |  
  
|     •  | Check for the proper tension on the drive belts. |  
  
|     •  | Check for restricted air flow through the radiator, or restricted
coolant flow. |  
  
 | 
Sensor
Check 
 | Check
for an engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor that has a shift in value.
   Refer  to 
Temperature Versus Resistance 
. 
 | 
Fuel System Checks 
 | 
|     •  | Check if a lean system causes this condition. Drive the vehicle
at the speed of the complaint. Monitoring the fuel trim will help identify
        the problem. |  
  
|     •  | If the system is lean, the long term fuel trim will be more than
150. |  
  
|     •  | Check for a poor fuel quality and a proper octane rating. |  
  
|     •  | If the fuel trim readings are normal and there are no engine mechanical
concerns, then fill the fuel tank with a known good fuel and re-evaluate the
        vehicle performance. |  
  
 | 
Ignition System Checks 
 | 
|     •  | Check the spark plugs for their proper heat range and gap. |  
  
|     •  | Check the knock sensor (KS) system operation. |  
  
|     •  | Check the ignition timing. |  
  
 | 
Engine Mechanical Checks 
 | 
|     •  | Check for carbon build up. Remove the carbon with a top engine
cleaner. Follow the instructions on the can. |  
  
|     •  | Check the combustion chamber pressure by performing a compression
test. |  
  
 | 
Additional Checks 
 | 
|     •  | Check the Service Bulletins for calibration updates. |  
  
 |