Friday, I drove my car about 200 miles on the highway and I noticed when I was parking it at my house, the engine was pinging. I didn't notice this while driving on the highway, nor did I experience any loss of power. Since it was 4 in the morning and I was tired as hell, I decided that I'd deal with it after I slept. When I woke up and started it, the sound was gone. I drove it about 30 miles and it won't do it again. I was talking with vIce^gRip and he said the same thing happened to him after a trip to New Jersey last year and he hasn't heard it since either. I searched a ton and can't find anything about pinging under these conditions. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

When you say "Ping" what you really mean is at idle there was a fast ticking noise....is that it? Because the detonation in a rotary is the sound of Marbles In A Can(MIAC). What was it?

 

It was a fast ticking noise. But with detonation, wouldn't I lose power and also have a flickering CEL? Doesn't this also occur at high RPM vice at idle?

 

That was just your exhaust system cooling.
Tink tink tink tink...

 

I tink you are pulling his leg

 

agreed...it was after he shut off the car..

 

I was tired, but not THAT tired. The car was definately still running and it wasn't the exhaust.

 

What flash are you running? I used to have this happen after a few hundred mile haul at sustained highway speeds (or a little higher ;-) with older flashes on my original equipment motor but not with the last couple of recent flashes.

 

It's the most recent one that was done with the emissions recall. I forget the letter since there have been so many.

 

The noise could be anything. Does it idle smooth under 1000rpm?

 

It idles very smooth. It was just this one instance. Even then, the RPMs were smooth and the car wasn't on the verge of stalling or anything. I talked to the service manager and he said he's heard of the exhaust manifold rattling from expansion/contraction under constant heat and that this is what it sounds like to him. Knowing that they won't do anything without the symptoms being present, I only called him. I wish I would've opened the hood and found specifically where the noise was coming from.

 

Whats the cars history? Miles, service thats been done, Type of driving it gets, agressive or easy, gas, oil, oil consumtion, anything interesting.

 

Nothing too interesting. 2 years old, 15K miles, 93 Octane gas, it really doesn't drink too much oil, maybe 1/2 quart every oil change (3K miles). All Recalls have been performed. Plugs replaced during emissions recall. Car hasn't been tracked yet. I don't drive it too agressive or easy. I'm a firm believer in "a redline a day, keeps the mechanic away." But I don't floor it at every stop light either. Normal
1st-3rd shifting at around 5K RPMs with the occasional 7-9K.

 

Do you mean it's half way down between the "L" and "H" on dip stick after 3K miles?

 

I don't ever let it get that far down. I check it weekly and fill it if it's needed. I just usually go through about 1/2 quart between oil changes.

 

+1 on the exhaust tinking. Even though it was running, it was still cooling down from the long drive.

 

It is my feeling that 1/2Qt of oil for 3K miles is too low. The reason I asked about the dip stick is not everyone is aware that it is 1.8qt from the "L" to "H". What weight are you running 5-20?

 

I too agree with Wilson and MM.........I believe it was the exhaust or part of it just cooling down. Even if still running or even if after you sut it off. Tink...tink...tink

 

there are a lot of tinkers on this site ....

 

I've always felt that as well but I've never had any problems with the car. The dealer would probably laugh at me if I brought the car in and complained because the car isn't drinking enough oil.

 

tink for the win.

beers

 

I'll drink to that.

 

hey,

could you send me a photo of my front end on your car???? i kid.. but would love to see a photo...

screen name at gmail.com

beers

 

This was different than the normal exhaust tinking. I hear that pretty much after every drive. This changed with RPM and came from the front of the car.

 

Does your engine idle smooth after just warmed up? Have you thought about premixing a few ounces of oil(3-6oz) in your gas tank. If your only burning a half a quart in 3K miles, it could only help. What do others think? Did you see this Post...

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/chirping-noise-112093/