My 2003 corolla has engine ping when cold.
Asked by jeffbrinegar Jul 30, 2013 at 08:29 PM about the 2003 Toyota Corolla LE
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I've had the car since it was new and first noticed the pinging when it was a few years old
but only when it was extremely cold (teens). Now it's noticeable when it's 60 degrees. It
sounds like a diesel engine. Are there any suggestions on what this could be?
6 Answers
Does the sound go away once the motor comes up to operational temp? Also weight oil are you using?
jeffbrinegar answered 10 years ago
When it warms up I do not notice the pinging
jeffbrinegar answered 10 years ago
I've always used the recommended 5W30 weight oil.
Depending on your climate it may be to light weight, also if you are getting temps into the teens I would definitly install engine block heater to keep the motor nice and toasty until your ready to use it.
I have a 2006 Corolla, so same engine and I live at high altitude where it gets very very cold and use 5/30 Mobil1 year round. That oil is fine as for viscosity but hopefully you use synthetic. But both of those guys are right, please take tennisshoes suggestion and get some OBD codes and bring them back here... buy only name brand gas, with detergents, from someplace that sells lots of gas, you know it's 'fresh' and water free and try going mid grade 89. Please let us know what happens.
