Questions and Answers

Jeep Wrangler Pinging Or Tapping?? Q. Hello, I hope you can help me or point me in the right direction. I have a 1989 Jeep Wrangler, with 130,000 miles. 2.5 liter, with a TBI fuel system. no A/C, no ABS, just a straight 4 banger. The problem is this and maybe this has nothing to do with the pinging. About a month ago, I replaced my regular AC® brand sparks plugs with a platinum plug.

Every morning when I'd go out and start my Jeep up there would be this loud pinging noise coming from the top end of the engine. At first I thought maybe sticky valves, but I did an engine flush before changing the oil and it made it worse. But after the engine warms up the pinging goes away. Runs fine during normal street and highway driving. But when she's idling, she's pinging and the engine is shaking.

I'm thinking maybe a timing issue, but timing for this type of model is non-adjustable. Can you please point me in some sort of direction. I was told that maybe I'm not getting enough oil to the top of the engine. But when I changed my oil last week, it looked like it normally does when I change it, used. One more thing, the oil gauge doesn't work. But I know I'm getting oil flow.

Tom
San Diego, CA

A. If this noise started when you put the new plugs in, then it would be logical to assume the new spark plugs are the cause of the noise. The first thing I would do is put the proper spark plugs in and see what happens.

The OEM spark plug is Champion RC12LYC gapped at 0.035".

I'm not clear if you're talking about an engine ping (detonation) or a valve tap.