Pinging with 87 Octane and Black Bear Tune

[Jmat]

Since the freaking gas prices here in L.A. are so ridiculously high these days, I decided to fill up with some 87 octane for the first time since my Black Bear tune was installed. BTW, my BB tune is 87-89 octane. I say "some" 87 octane because there was actually about a quarter tank of 89 octane left in the tank. Now I'm noticing that the engine is pinging while under load or going up a hill. Do you guys have any issues with 87 octane either with or without an aftermarket tune? Could pinging damage the engine? Just to be on the safe side and because a pinging truck annoys the hell out of me (sounds like a clunker), I'm switching back to 89 or even 91 if the price is right.

 

[OHSIXX]

Pinging is bad. Pay the extra for the right octane fuel or get a new tune rated for 87......

 

[SBCT]

Do you guys have any issues with 87 octane either with or without an aftermarket tune?

I am stock tune and run 87 to pull me up the grade over donner pass in the Sierra Nevada's no problem with any pinging.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[InTruckDesign]

Just a FYI an aftermarket tune is not as forgiving to poor quality fuel as the stock tune is. I don't mean going from 91 to 87, but going from one supplier to the next.

 

[brentonbrown]

The pinging is spark knock, which is detonation, and YES it is bad for your engine. As soon as you get to half a tank go fill up with 93 octane.

 

[yates ™]

Why not just add an octane booster now instead of driving it to a half tank?

 

[Zed 71]

Just a FYI an aftermarket tune is not as forgiving to poor quality fuel as the stock tune is. I don't mean going from 91 to 87, but going from one supplier to the next.

+1

Also since you are relatively close, you can have Justin take a look at the mapping tables to adjust if necessary.

 

[Goodinblack]

Octane boosters really work. Fill up next time with the good stuff. Gas prices are here to stay overall.

 

[JennaBear]

Sounds like low quality fuel. If it were good quality 87, you should have little to no KR. Keep in mind, discount fuel will never be good quality.

 

[Jmat]

Thanks everyone for all your input. I decided to move forward with an 87/89 tune specifically because of the high fuel prices, now it seems like I won't be able to safely use 87 octane... frustrating. In any case, I'm almost at a half a tank and will add 91 since that is as high as I've seen in my area. I"ll come back with an update shortly... hopefully it's an easy fix.

Jenna, Hopefully you're right and I simply got some bad fuel. In the near future, I'll try going using some 87 octane from a reputable gas station and should the pinging continue I'll shoot you an email. Hopefully BB can take a look at my tune and see if it needs adjustment? I'm very happy with with my tune except for this issue.

What are your thoughts on octane boosters?

 

[JennaBear]

We can definitely take a look at your tunes, you might need to have it dialed back to account for gas quality if you are running 87 all the time.

As for octane boosters, I can take them or leave them. Heard good things about Lucas though.

 

[yates ™]

I was merely suggesting as a short term solution

 

[yukondoit]

I was merely suggesting as a short term solution

and a good suggestion it was

 

[Jmat]

I was merely suggesting as a short term solution

Thanks Yates, that's how I understood it. I sometimes end up in remote locations where 87 octane is the only option. So I may like to keep a few bottles of additive in the truck for just for such an occasion.

 

[SmallXL]

if you have an issue with pinging, if available, put some e85 in. higher octane than than 91.

 

[MACHO]

Thanks everyone for all your input. I decided to move forward with an 87/89 tune specifically because of the high fuel prices, now it seems like I won't be able to safely use 87 octane... frustrating. In any case, I'm almost at a half a tank and will add 91 since that is as high as I've seen in my area. I"ll come back with an update shortly... hopefully it's an easy fix.

Jenna, Hopefully you're right and I simply got some bad fuel. In the near future, I'll try going using some 87 octane from a reputable gas station and should the pinging continue I'll shoot you an email. Hopefully BB can take a look at my tune and see if it needs adjustment? I'm very happy with with my tune except for this issue.

What are your thoughts on octane boosters?

I have a similar situation with my new tune. Was using Costco 92 and saw a significant drop in the fuel economy after the tune. Sent a log to Justin and he confirmed the gas is sketchy based upon the fuel table readings. Crazy what a difference that makes.

Love the BBP TUNE and Justin has been great at helping resolve it. Just thought I'd share regarding my experience with bad fuel.

 

[Jmat]

@ Macho, thanks man, that really sheds some light into my situation. I've been using Costco gas for years with no issues until recently... obviously. Since I didn't know any better, yesterday I went to Costco and filled half the tank with their 91 octane to see if that would help; it didn't. So today I purchased a bottle of Lucas octane boost and re-filled with 91 from Shell. Now at least I'm confident the octane is higher than 89 so hopefully the pinging will be reduced or even disappear. I still need to drive it now that the additive is in. If I still get knocking I'll finish this tank and refill at a Shell (I'm assuming their gas is better) and see what happens. Will definitely contact Justin if this keeps up.

 

[MACHO]

Good. Glad I could help shed some more light. That's what TYF is all about. Update us on how it turns out. I will be updating my BB TUNE thread with the results after I get my next tank of gas thru my Hoe

 

[sumo]

There a big difference on who you use for gas. 87 from Getty/luke oil gas station is not the same 87 gas from shell. I sent a log in once using Getty gas and After Justin reviewed my log, Justin asked what gas i was using as the quality was not Good at all.

 

[CYKBC]

Zero sum gains. Sorry to hear of your troubles. Hopefully you got it figured out. Not a fan of aftermarket "math and science".