Hi, I'm a new poster to this forum, although I've been lurking around for a while. I have a 08 c2s cab with 12k miles, and I live in Southern California.
I've owned the car for a year now, and it occasionally pings (for a split second) as I start to accelerate or as I'm shifting to a higher gear, even at about 3k rpm.
My main question is, is it normal for a $100k car to do this? Even with the antiknock sensors, I'm surprised. I remember my '67 Pontiac GTO doing this 40 yrs ago.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

With computer mixture/ignition control and knock sensors it's pretty unusual for any modern car (not just $100K ones) to ping audibly unless you're using really inferior fuel. I can't remember the last time I heard engine knock in one of my vehicles. What brand and grade of gas do you use?

 

No its not normal what gas are you using?

 

In california, as you probably know, the highest octane is 91 (which I use), opposed to other states where its higher. I've been attributing that to be the reason.
Just to be clear, its not constant pinging; its more like a quick, single, metallic-sounding click, as I accelerate. Occasionally, it progresses from a single click to a more pinging sound. It seems to be more noticeable when the temp outside is in the 80's +. At higher rpms it becomes nonexistent, cant hear it. I assumed that with these real high performance engines, one would expect some of this, but its becoming somewhat annoying, and possibly damaging to the engine.
I'm mostly using union 76, but I have tried them all, chevron, shell etc.

 

It should not ping. Porsche's anti-knocking works well. You may want to have it checked.

 

The exact same thing happened on my 07 C2S since it was brand new, and don't worry it is the way it is in the Bay Area here with Octane 91 gas.

The ping happens only if I drive the car easy in low(er) rpm, like when cruising on freeway and suddenly I give it a little gas... or when I shift at low rpm and lightly accelerate...

If I drive the car harder in higher rpm (like it is built to do), the ping never happens.

With best regards,

 

I have noticed the same thing with my 2008S. Actually I only notice it when the windows are open. It happens occasionally when cruising with light throttle at about 2500 rpm and then adding some gas for light acceration. I use only Shell premium.

 

I'm glad to hear someone else has experienced this. Its description in the last post is exactly correct.
Shifting at about 2500 rpms, cruising, not driving particularly hard.
I have tried shell before but not for very long. I should stick with it for a while and see. When I first bought the car I was using chevron at which time the ping seemed more pronounced. Since using union 76 its not as frequent.

 

I also have an occassional ping when under load at low RPM on my 2006 Carrera S. Dealer and an independent shop both chalk it up to 91 Octane fuel here in Arizona. As others have said, I have not noticed this in harder "higher RPM" driving.

 

Have you tried mixing in some higher octane race gas to get closer to the 93 octane. Several Cali Rennlisters do this.

 

My car does the same thing and I'm running sunoco 93-94.
A mix of race gas might provide some answers.

 

I know higher octane mixing is an option for over $5-6 /gallon, but its not a solution. Evidently these engines were not designed for 91 octane. Unfortunately 997 owners suffer in the states where higher octanes is not the norm. Besides the pinging there is probably compromise in the horsepower (performance).

 

I get the same in my 987.1 3.4L. Coasting e.g., then back on throttle moderately at 2500rpm, one occasional little light ping/pause and then we're off... Very annoying, tried a bunch of different premium gas brands/stations, no real difference. The shell v-power fuel additive did seem to help. But I don't run that all the time.

 

I'm surprised at the number of people experiencing pinging . I've used the crappy 91 octane Cali fuel, except when blending 100 for events, in my 996 and 987S (both 6sp) and now in my 997S (PDK) and never had pinging. The engine knock sensors/ECU should be retarding timing at the first sign of pre-detonation inside the cylinder; before it becomes noticeable. What you're hearing with pinging of course, is the clatter of the valve train due to combustion occurring prematurely, which is not a good thing and precisely what the sensors are supposed to prevent. Like I said, surprising, and something I haven't experienced in years.

 

I use the poor quality ethanol laced 91 and my Porsches never pinged. Other sports cars did.