Problem Solved!

[ts-pa]

In a previous post I mentioned the following:

I have been having two conditions: pinging occuring while under load, towing 1200lbs at a max speed of 40 mph, on a 90 deg. day. Also, on a regular basis, when I get on the gas on the slightest incline from a stop, it hesitates at around 40-50 mph. I read that I need to have more than 1/4 tank of gas to prevent fuel starvation in this type of situation, so that wasn't an issue.

I have read that carbon build up can cause these symptoms..so I read about "motorvac" and inquired a FLM dealer about this service. They no longer use this due to higher solution cost & time required. They use "b&g" system now with good responses from customers. He claimed that it may even be better.

The Service Tech said that if I run 90+ octane all the time, there is a higher chance of building up carbon than if using 87 octane. When I asked about 87 leading to "varnish" build up, he agreed but stated to use an additive once every three to four tank fill ups. Also as many stated in this thread, a high volume, quality gas dealer.

Instead of using the cleaning service, he strongly recommended spending the same money for diagnostic service checking into the MAF & Oxygen sensors.

For the past two years, I have been using 89-93 octane, adding Techron to every sixth tank fill. Replaced fuel filter a year ago. Since I thought it was a trans issue I added a higher capacity b&m trans pan to aid cooling and increase fluid volume about 9mos ago(40k miles). Used genuine Mercon V fluid in a snap-on brand system that flushes out the old fluid at the same time replcing with new fluid. Shifting improved, same pinging. My car has the OEM trans cooler in between the ac & coolant radiators. Now I'm at 60k miles.
Would adding a larger radiator(is it possible?), additional trans cooling, carbon cleaning service, MAF & Oxygen sensor replacement, fuel change, ??? solve my issues?

Sorry for so many questions at once. Short of getting a "real" Marauder that has more power, what would you folks suggest?<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
__________________

UPDATE:

Well, now the problem has been solved. I took the car to the dealer and had them do the "BG Fuel Injection Cleaning Service". What the heck, I figured that I would eliminate carbon build up as one of the problems before proceeding into diagnostics and parts. The results were amazing! I initially thought that the newfound driveabilty was because I wanted to feel the difference. The real test came when I towed my boat again in the exact same conditions as above. This time, I was able to go 75+ without any problems whatsoever. Starts & runs fantastic by comparison!

I would recommend this service if you are having pinging problems.

[Rider90]

Glad to hear it worked out Tom. I've never heard of the BG service, although we have a Motorvac in our garage and that too gives outstanding results. Was it it that you tow? Pics?

[wchain]

your MAF was probably the main reason for pinging. BG Fuel System Cleaning service is worth it, if your car isnt 'opened up' now and then, i.e. a romp or a long highway drive, to 'clean her out'.

Are you driving with overdrive turned off at 40 mph when pulling? If you're bone stock and pulling at 40 mph, chances are the car is in O/D and its locked up, lugging along at 800 rpm and burning up the trans and converter. Keeping the overdrive off should help things quite a bit. The problems you talk of sound like the motor lugging under load.

The Service Tech said that if I run 90+ octane all the time, there is a higher chance of building up carbon than if using 87 octane. When I asked about 87 leading to "varnish" build up, he agreed but stated to use an additive once every three to four tank fill ups. Also as many stated in this thread, a high volume, quality gas dealer.

Usually, when there is a significant amount of carbon buildup in the combustion chambers ,the car will ping, because that effectively decreases the space in the chamber, thereby increasing compression ratio. This is why when you run 93, the pinging goes away. Octane handles compression very well -- you can compress it a lot and nothing happens. Eighty-seven-octane gasoline is gasoline that contains 87-percent octane and 13-percent heptane (or some other combination of fuels that has the same performance of the 87/13 combination of octane/heptane). It spontaneously ignites at a given compression level, and can only be used in engines that do not exceed that compression ratio. The BG Service probably has cleaned everything out and gotten it back to factory performance specs. Use gas from a busy station, and keep that mass air flow sensor clean. If you're using a K&N air Filter, you'll have to clean it much more often.

Good luck.
Wes

[ts-pa]

Rider90--I tow a 16 ft utility fishing boat-the trailer & boat weighs about 1200lbs. I went to the scrap yard, loaded with metal, where the weight is done before and after so they know how much you dropped off. I'll post a pic this weekend.

Wes--Previously, I was towing with the OD off. I could not maintain any speed with the OD on. This year, same trip, same conditions except 89 octane, ran great! Ran with the OD on except where it started to up/down shift a lot. Now I have been driving 87 octane from the busiest station in town and never when I see a tanker there.
As far as "open it up", does the range of <95mph count? This is the max. as I have vibration and whining from the driveline at this point. Any tips for this problem? This happens with either the lacy spoke wheels or the Marauder wheels.

The car is stock 2000 Grand Marquis LS with HPP Ultimate package, added Zack & Mac rear control arms, Marauder rims and tires with adapters, Class II hitch and wiring, B&M large Trans pan.

[wchain]

Rider90--I tow a 16 ft utility fishing boat-the trailer & boat weighs about 1200lbs. I went to the scrap yard, loaded with metal, where the weight is done before and after so they know how much you dropped off. I'll post a pic this weekend.

Wes--Previously, I was towing with the OD off. I could not maintain any speed with the OD on. This year, same trip, same conditions except 89 octane, ran great! Ran with the OD on except where it started to up/down shift a lot. Now I have been driving 87 octane from the busiest station in town and never when I see a tanker there.
As far as "open it up", does the range of <95mph count? This is the max. as I have vibration and whining from the driveline at this point. Any tips for this problem? This happens with either the lacy spoke wheels or the Marauder wheels.

The car is stock 2000 Grand Marquis LS with HPP Ultimate package, added Zack & Mac rear control arms, Marauder rims and tires with adapters, Class II hitch and wiring, B&M large Trans pan.


Metal Matrix Driveshaft perhaps. IIRC 2000 HPP had 3.27 gears, usually good for 120+ with no vibrations. Hve you considered taking the driveshaft off and having a shop balance it?

[RF Overlord]

The car is stock 2000 Grand Marquis LS with HPP...Marauder rims and tiresYou may have somewhat answered your own question. The HPP came with a 3.27 RAR. By adding the taller Marauder rims and tires, you've lowered your effective RAR...to tell you by exactly how much I'd have to know the diameter of the original tires. From many posts over on CVN, it seems that 3.73s are to a CV/GM as 4.10s are to a Marauder, so using that rough guideline, your effective RAR may now be on the order of 3.08 or so, a very infamous number. Ford no longer uses that ratio in the Panthers due to driveline resonance and vibration. For the record, the "standard" available ratios are 2.73, 3.27 and 3.55.

[wchain]

You may have somewhat answered your own question. The HPP came with a 3.27 RAR. By adding the taller Marauder rims and tires, you've lowered your effective RAR...to tell you by exactly how much I'd have to know the diameter of the original tires. From many posts over on CVN, it seems that 3.73s are to a CV/GM as 4.10s are to a Marauder, so using that rough guideline, your effective RAR may now be on the order of 3.08 or so, a very infamous number. Ford no longer uses that ratio in the Panthers due to driveline resonance and vibration. For the record, the "standard" available ratios are 2.73, 3.27 and 3.55.


*DING**DING**DING**DING**DING*

Give the man a Cigar!! :D

[ts-pa]

As promised, photo of car with boat...
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8957&cat=500&page=1

My 2000 GM was the "Ultimate Package" which is the HPP + a few extras. It also has 3:55 gears. So from what your saying that since I went to larger tires I'm really at about 3:3? I have been thinking about going to 4:10 in the future and adding Traction-Lok. Would that be too much gear for a 2V 4.6?

[RF Overlord]

It also has 3:55 gears. I have been thinking about going to 4:10 in the future and adding Traction-Lok. Would that be too much gear for a 2V 4.6?Ah...I thought only the CVPI got the 3.55s in 2000...I guess that makes my point moot.

If you do a lot of towing and keep your highway speeds reasonable, you could probably get away with 4.10s, but it will kill your gas mileage.

[wchain]

Ah...I thought only the CVPI got the 3.55s in 2000...I guess that makes my point moot.

If you do a lot of towing and keep your highway speeds reasonable, you could probably get away with 4.10s, but it will kill your gas mileage.


New for 2000:
• Revised FEAD and engine calibration (not a very good revision either, according to Ford techs)
• Child seat anchors added to package tray (pic)
• HPP rear gears go up to 3.55
• "Instant Fuel Econ" and "Gallons to Empty" removed from digital dash
• "Special Edition" available - Click for package contents
• Express-down windows now standard (police)
• Metal Matrix driveshaft standard (police)
• Tail lamp applique blacked out (police)
• Ashtrays and carpet removed from rear door trim panels (police)
• Extended Range option available on NGV vehicles

I thought it was 3.55s my self. There is no reason for the car to be struggling up hill like you say, maybe a failing ignition coil somewhere?

[ts-pa]

It is very possible to have been both the MAF & the carbon build up. Just after they did the cleaning, the oil got very dark. Changed it the same week. It has been clean up to now (6 weeks). Still runs great!
In regards to the 4.10 rears, I don't mind giving up a little MPG for improved drivability.