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 concern. 
 | 
Cooling System Checks 
 | 
|     •  | Check for a low engine coolant level. |  
  
|     •  | Check for the proper tension on the drive belts. |  
  
|     •  | Check for restricted air flow through the radiator, or restricted
coolant flow. |  
  
|     •  | Check for a faulty thermostat. Refer to Engine
Overheating
 in Engine Cooling. |  
  
|     •  | Check for a correct coolant mixture.  |  
  
 | 
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 FT 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's 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 for the proper operation of the EGR Valve. |  
  
|     •  | Check the torque converter clutch (TCC) operation. Refer to Torque Converter Diagnosis Procedure (4L60E)
 or 
Torque Converter Diagnosis 
 (4L80E) in Automatic Transmission. |  
  
|     •  | Check the Service Bulletins for calibration updates. |  
  
 |