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?