Pinging/Tinging sound with acceleration

[Erik]

Not sure if this is exactly the right place for it, but lets give it a try.

So ive been trying to chase down this pinging, or tinging sound upon acceleration for a few months now but to no avail. It sounds almost like hitting an exhaust pipe with a small screwdriver, perhaps.

Im leaning toward it being affiliated with the driveshaft or transmission, but it really doesnt sound like it is coming from there. I hear it through out the entire power band, its pretty consistant in timing, almost exact 4/4 beat maybe with an added ting here and there. It doesnt get faster with acceleration, but louder the higher the RPM.

From the cabin, it sounds like it is coming from the nose of the miata, however it is only heard when in gear and moving. Ive checked for everything that is moving in relation to the transmission; the drive shaft appears to be clear of anything that could be bouncing off of it, any moving axels appear to be good as well. I did realize one of my adjustment bolts on my AC compressor was loose, figured it had to be that, but of course it wasnt. I then thought, crap, my catalytic converter is blown, however i would hear that with nuetral revving (i imagine atleast). I banged on it and shook it as much as i can without actually removing it but it sounds as sturdy as can be.

Specs on the car include, Jackson racing intake and exhaust, FM vmaxx coilovers. I have tried to get some iphone videos, however i cant clearly pick up the sound enough to be worthwhile

I know its hard to diagnose via type, but im out of things to check!

[jpalamar]

Heat shield?

[Scapegoat]

so, i didn't drive my mustang for a week b/c i thought the exhaust couplings had loosened up. turns out i only had about three eclipse gum pieces in the plastic container and they were rattling during certain RPM's.

check around the car for something random and stupid.

[Erik]

probably should have said that, doing this, i removed practically every heatshield around the exhaust. hope that doesnt bite me in the ass in the long run, but oh well.

as for the rattling, i have the car cleaned out nearly completely. only thing in there is my iphone holder (rattles but not like that) and my paper work.

[schaffer]

Could be something in one of the brakes or the suspension that only rattle at certain rpms.

I once had what I thought was a cv axle clicking,so I bought an axle. Turns out it was my caliper was loose and just needed to be tightened. So something could be loose anywhere.

[Erik]

hm. like i said, ive been looking every where for months regarding this sound. i realized today it seems to happen when things start to warm up, not coolant but perhaps everything under the car gets hot.

[Proven]

Maybe a long shot, but maybe the sounds internal? When someone says pinging / tinging I think detonation. Does it sound like your driving over gravel and its hitting the under body type sound? Or BB's in a coffee can?

[300zx_tt]

When I hit certain rpms my hood pings and bangs lol

[saxon]

Have you ever shut down the engine while at speed to see if its engine related or just an external part

[Erik]

Originally Posted by saxon

Have you ever shut down the engine while at speed to see if its engine related or just an external part

thats a good point. I havent tried that. Someone else on another mazda forum asked about detonation, thinking i advanced my timing, though im almost positive it never has been by the PO. It doesnt happen at idle, so i am assuming its atleast affected by the engine, whether its through the transmission, or what not. ill try cutting the engine tomorrow. that will atleast determine if it is suspension related or drive shaft related, right?

[Proven]

Originally Posted by Erik

thats a good point. I havent tried that. Someone else on another mazda forum asked about detonation, thinking i advanced my timing, though im almost positive it never has been by the PO. It doesnt happen at idle, so i am assuming its atleast affected by the engine, whether its through the transmission, or what not. ill try cutting the engine tomorrow. that will atleast determine if it is suspension related or drive shaft related, right?

Have you recently started going to a different gas station? Or maybe using a lesser grade fuel? Could be bad gas causing det. MAYBE, I'd rather not jump to worse case.

[TNTramair]

if it only happens during hard accel or WOT than id lean toward detonation. shutting the engine off at high rpms if not a very idea IMO. i would try higher octane fuel and see what happens...if you're allready doin this than just back the timing down a bit and see if that helps.

[bordin34]

Do miatas have an oil pressure gauge. If they do where does it read?