RuuDV

Hi, guys. I just want to know about the engine of the C63 AMG. Does C63 engine ping ? Because im thinking of getting one myself and I have ML 63 AMG and the engine just keep on pinging when i drive normally unless i floor it. So is there anything i can do to fix it and just wondering is the C63 engine have the same problem because it is basically the same engine. Im scared of buying into the same problems. I am planning to trade in my BMW M3 but im still deciding on it.

jafores

Hi Where are you based? I have experience with both the ML and C63, I haven't experienced any pinging in either one regardless of the way I drive them. could it be a fuel or ecu issue?

RuuDV

I live in Aus. I always use Mobil 8000 98 RON which i think its one of the fuel that suited to my car. Multiple dealer visit yield no progress, they just keep brushing me off. They said i could get bad batch of fuel but i have been trying all the brand name of fuel from Shell (engine light keep coming on), Bp (Ping Ping) and Caltex (the engine shake) all still make pinging noise. So im giving up already. Thats why i want to know if anyone out there who have c63, experience this kind of thing or not.

PatSC23

ive always wondered - wat exactly is "pinging"?

guess ive never experienced it

DrgnflyZ28

Simply, it's the sound effect of pre-detonation. As the piston is compressing the air/fuel mixture, there is something causing it to pre-detonate prior to the spark plugs firing off.
Some causes are a lean fuel mixture, too hot of a spark plug, excessive timing and carbon deposits.
Ultimately, it can lead to engine damage and failure.

_AMG_

The c63 and ml63 use the same exact engine. And it will not ping as long as you use high grade gasoline (91 octane +) and maintain your engine regularly.

What kind of gas are you using? Because i know guys that have 63's and 65's but they put in 87 octane gas in a $150,000+ car. Ping occurs under heavy workload and when the temperature in the fuel air mixture reaches extreme temperatures. Using low grade gasoline on a high performance car causes Carbon build up in the combustion chamber. Use Chevron 91 octane every single time you fill up. Chevron uses techron which cleans up carbon buildup in your engine. You might have to change your ignition timing as well.
Its funny and ironic because, people buy these high end, expensive cars and they don't even want spend the little extra money to fill it with 91 octane.

bhamg

You have a knock sensor...have your dealer read out any fault codes to see what if any are related to that condition...that should answer your questions.

Benzo 003

If you bought it used, the previous owner could have had the ECU modded too far in "advanced" detonation.....

tasho3

please tell me this is a joke, even on my 1989 300E that i owned years ago i used Shell V-Power 93 octane. some people just dont deserve their cars.

Merc63

Could be the valve train.

Mine is a bit noisy when the car is warming up or idling...

Check your oil levels.


The car has a knock sensor, it will detect knocking (detention) and retard the timing. So I doubt its pinging.

ThreePointRider

try premium fuel (91+ AKI)... if thats not it, then take it to the dealer and have it looked at under warranty...

RuuDV

My car its out of warranty already, I bought it 4 years ago brand new. In Australia, i had try all the fuel brand but its just doesnt work, only Mobil 8000 achieve the best result. I did bring it to the dealer before and ask them about it multiple times, they said my car its fine and maybe its the fuel but i did try all the fuel brands that are available in Australia, all achieve the same result or some of them become worse, so i stop trying and i cant be bothered anymore. This thing happen when i drive normally or usually when the car its under heavy workload or uphill. It seems that everytime the car its under wrong gear whenever i needed power, i hit on the gas pedal it just PING PING and go. Its weird and frustating. Thats why i want to have some opinion from C63 AMG owners about the engine because im worried that it will behave the same as my ML63 AMG before deciding to get C63 as currently i am torn between choosing the M3 or C63.

Fangster

I am in Australia and use 98 Octane all the time and have never had a problem with pinging.

I used 94 octane once when in the remote country and there was no 98 available and all that happened was my fuel consumption was worse but still no pinging.

I think there is something wrong with your ML63.

Jae Duk

Maybe it's a lease car? I know some ppl just don't give a crap when they have a rental car

_AMG_

Nope, I AM DEAD SERIOUS!!!! It really pisses me off to see rich people buying these kinds of cars and have no clue how to maintain them and treat them like true sports cars.

_AMG_

I mean even if its a lease, If your buying a $150,000 - $200,000 sports car you would expect that person to use only the best gasoline. Either these people don't care or they have no clue what kind of car they own. A high end sports car to these people is only a status symbol, So they can show it off to other people, But gear heads (like most of us here on the forums) know what these cars are all about and what it takes to keep them running at there best.

RuuDV

OMG i just came back from the dealer and ask them again about the pinging. They said nope nothing they can do, and they will not change any setting on the car computer and so on. Its factory standard. They said they cannot change it. They keep blaming the fuel that i use maybe contaminated. But i have shopping the fuel everywhere 98 RON eg Shell BP Caltex Mobil. They all the same. They said its normal for the car to ping. I cant believe it and Im very tired of it. Oh well i guess its bad luck.

cyberorth

Does this happen when the engiene is cold or only at operating temp? How many miles have you got on the odo? Please also describe exactly what you mean by 'pinging.'

Dynasty2382

While you guys are on the topic of fuel, I live in Hong Kong now and our fuel grade is a little different. Anyone know a site that list the fuel grades of each country and can compare the grades. We have a fuel grade of F1 at Esso, thats what i have been using.

On a side note, i commute between china and hk, and the best fuel quality up in china that i can find so far is 98. But from using those fuel in my other cars, it causes a lot of problems with the cars, fuel pumps being plugged and a lot of junk in the fuel. Wondering if anyone know what grade 98 fuel actually is compared to the states.

_AMG_

Different countries have different grades of fuel. For example the octane rating in Europe is more then here in the states or elsewhere for that matter.
There is actually a shell gas station in Pasadena, CA that sells 101 octane race fuel for $8 per gallon. Ive always wanted t try it out. Half tank 101 octane and the rest with 91 octane.

GMW

That sounds like bad fuel. Even though they say 98, there's a chance the tanks are dirty or their supplier is contaminating the fuel.

I would go to the dealer and ask for a test drive with a new ML63 so you can try to simulate the pinging. If the new ML63 doesn't ping, then take your own ML63 for a test drive with the same dealer so he/she can hear the pinging and then realize that you have an issue and start to take you more seriously. Also take the service manager or a technician with you on the test drive if possible too!

I would also ask where the dealer gets his fuel for the ML63 demo (if it didn't ping) so you can try the same fuel station.

Don't you have Shell V-power in Australia? Try that too.

DrgnflyZ28

IMHO, this is what I would do seeing that the dealer is not working with you. Start with buying a quart of Turbo 108 Octane Boost and two bottles of Chevron Techron. With all of the different fuel you've tried, it's probably safe to say you have 91+ in there now so just add 1/2 of the bottle of octane boost and a bottle of Techron. Top off the gas with 91+ (Use Chevron if available!). Drive it normally, rinse and repeat. You should have little to no pinging by the second tank primarily due to the boost. This will give the Techron time to break down any deposits. By the third tank with no additives, see if you have a smoother running engine. If not, you might have some larger issues to deal with. Continue with the Techron every few times you fill the tank for preventative maintenance