Greased Lightening fuel additive

[jhm]

Well just to let everyone know, I tried the greased lightening fuel system cleaner. I used it because my truck has that ping type noise on acceleration and hi octane fuel does not do anything for it also the dealer says every code is normal. I was really hoping this stuff would clear it out. It costs about $9.00 a bottle and they claim it is only needed once every 15k miles, plus it came with the money back guarantee. The only improvement I noticed is better throttle response, not huge but noticeable. They claimed some people got better mpg, but after 3 tanks of 91 octane, I still only get 14-15 around town, with the 4.8l. I want to get rid of that ping, but the dealer is passing it off as piston slap that they already gave me the extended warranty for. I like this truck but the ping sucks! Anyone been able to get the pinging noise diagnosed? I would like to try another dealer, maybe someone else could get a handle on it.

[bigtruck21]

have you tried different brands of gas? I've consistantly gotten better mileage and power from texaco gas than bp and especially citgo. I've also noted I get better mileage from 87 than 91. I'd think the dealer would be able to tell the difference between csk and pre-detonation, but if your sure it is pinging, try another dealer. I don't know how well greased lightning works but have heard a lot of people say good about the amsoil PI fuel treatment and the techron additive.

[jhm]

I always use Getty fuel, but out of desperation I tried Sunoco 94 or 95 octane and still got the ping. One thing I notice on this board is that everyone seems to think piston slap and csk are the same thing. They are not, my truck is quiet as a mouse on cold starts, my wife even calls it the "stealth truck" because it is so quiet. When I accelerate it makes noise, the harder I accelerate the more pronounced the noise is. The dealer and GM both told me this is piston slap, the piston slapping against the cylinder wall because the skirt is so short. Maybe it is, but it sure sounds like pinging to me. It was strange cause it never happened until I clocked 20k on the truck.

[awdvkd]

CSK or piston slap is the same thing, generally most engine that suffer CKS or piston slap only do it for the 1st minute or two then stop. Pinging due to timing usually is under hard acelleration or slow acelleration with a warm engine. CSK sounds sound just like a HARD KNOCKING sound and pinging sounds likea tinny hollow sound. Hope this helps, I have CSK and I have never heard my 8.1 every knock under any circumstance, even with the WESTERS advance timing.

[Black02Silverado]

I guess try taking it to another dealer. Sounds like a bunch of carbon build up and running a higher octane can do that. I'm not a pro at it but that is my best guess/opinion.

 

The AMSOIL PI and Cheveron techron is really good stuff and I have heard others say good things about both.

 

Also as a fuel conditioner /cleaner is the Fuel Power that I purchased. I read about it on bobistheoilguy.com they talked about it and had great results. I noticed that it gave me about 1 to 2 more mpg it seemed. It comes in a gallon and you only use 1 oz per 5 gallons of gas. So that one gallon treats 640 gallons of gas. So economically it is a good price. I paid $35 for the gallon and that included shipping. It might help with your problem or it might not. Just a thought.

 

I only run the 87 in the truck. No pinging or other problems. I keep my fingers crossed and count my blessings on that. I have 38k on it now.

[MarkD]

Does anyone you know have access to a Tech2 or Sensor reader? It would be interesting to know what your timing numbers are. Knock retard?

[jhm]

Twice I have bought it into the dealer and both times they claimed the timing was right on. They replaced both knock sensors and cleaned the top end for carbon, that is when they gave up and said it is piston slap. They showed me the now famous service bulletin saying cold start knock is piston slap which is normal. I said : why is my engine quiet, on start up, no noise whatsoever, even in the dead of winter after sitting in 0 degree weather overnight, yet it makes noise under load?. I can leave it in park and rev the hell out of it and no noise. Drive it down the road at 30 mph and it pings! They replied: they are all different, some make noise on cold start, some don't, some make noise under load, some dont. I guess I will go to a new dealer as soon as I can get a day off from work. I just dont believe it is piston slap, but who knows???? Thanks for the comments/advise!

[ril850]

I'm still confused as to what pingin sounds like...not sure if I have it. Will it make the SES come on? I get it confused with the tappping sound or CSK which I do have, but we all know the story with that. If I go under the hood and manually accelerate the TB what should I listen for. I don't exactly know what I'm listening for and help would be appreciated. The alternator and FIPK so close its hard to tell.

Does it sound like a flutterrin sound...

[jhm]

It is real hard to describe the noise. One guy on this board described it as "marbles being shaken in a jar". I can only tell you that the ping from my engine is only on acceleration, never while in park or neutral, and the harder I drive it the more it pings. I plan to take it to a new dealer for a second opinion, I just dont buy the piston slap story.