August 2, 200520 yr Hello All, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. Recently, the check-engine light came on in my 2000 Forester. I took it to the dealer and it was diagnosed as a bad oxygen sensor. I had the O2 sensor replaced at the dealer and after picking it up I started to notice some pinging. I don't believe that the pinging was present before the O2 sensor was replaced while the check-engine light was on, but i'm not certain. Currently, the check-engine light is not on. Is there anything I can do to get the pinging to stop? Is there something that the mechanic at the dealer forgot to do to reset the ignition timing? Is there anything I can do short of taking it back to the dealer to get the pinging to stop? Any help or related experience would be appreciated!
August 2, 200520 yr A lazy (read: bad) O2 sensor will result in a richer than normal fuel mixture which can mask spark knock. Now that you have the new sensor in and fuel mixture is back in "economy lean" territory you're hearing the knock. The rich fuel may also've caused a little carbon build-up in the combustion chambers. My advice would be to clean the chambers first and see what that does for your problem before going further.
August 3, 200520 yr Author The rich fuel may also've caused a little carbon build-up in the combustion chambers. My advice would be to clean the chambers first and see what that does for your problem before going further. That makes some sense. But, pardon my inexperience, how do I clean the chambers? Is just running some fuel system cleaning fluid through it? or something more? Thanks! Evan
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