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Running a higher octane gas is NOT going to void your warranty. You should seriously run a full tank of the highest octane pump gas you can find in your area. It's one of the easiest ways to determine if you are getting detonation or not. It wouldn't hurt to add some octane booster to the premium gas too.

If you run higher octane and the sound goes away, then you know that the noise is indeed pinging and is caused by detonation which can REALLY screw up your engine. And if that is the problem, then they need to fix it ASAP. If they are keeping bad records and blowing you off, then make sure to get a good papertrail. Being a one-party state (as you already know) you can record all conversations. Just keep good records and show that they DON"T keep good records and yu have them. Especialyl if they aren't documenting times you have brought it in or if they have wrong info.

Afterall, if they cant even read an odometer right, then it means that they either lied about looking at the vehicle, or they are unable to perform even simple tasks. Either way, tehy are in trouble.

But you still need to run a full tank of premium gas to at least ive you an idea what is going on.

 

I ran 3 tanks of high octane through back-to-back, and still had the noise with that fuel. That's what the Ford tech recommended I do. After running the fuel, I still replicated the noise for them.
The techs (not management) seemed like they genuinely wanted to help me. For me, it's not about a shady dealership. I've got very few negative thoughts about my dealership and their service department.

 

My dealership guy suggested that I switch brands to Chevron (but same octane) - they told me Chevron was the best, but that hasn't helped - perhaps I'll try higher octane also - same here, the tech and my service guy are always helpful, but the service manager just tries to dismiss me, perhaps because I'm female or he just doesn't have the time to focus on my problem - could be he doesn't like admitting that he doesn't know how to fix the problem, or perhaps because it's a costly fix. He told me that he could make it "not do that" by driving easier, but it's a GT, you know! Regardless, I call about once a week just to check on the "progress", but I never get a return call and always the same answer "we haven't found out anything yet." Perhaps it's time to try another dealer, but I dont' want to have to "start all over". Guess I've got 90,000 miles longer to work on it.

 

The fix could be as simple as trying a new set of one step colder plugs.A new engine management computer (ECM)might fix the problem.The variable valve timing might be messed up and the cam timing could be causing a higher than designed dynamic compression ratio.(I wish I knew how this part works) Unexplainable detonation can also be caused by higher than normal coolant temperature or a lean mixture.
Factory freaks have to still be around and you might just have a combination of parts that will cause detonation no matter what is done until just the right parameter is adjusted.A factory freak isn't always bad and can be VERY good if you can get a proper tune.
It would be interesting to get the car dyno tuned and see what they come up with as far as a solution/tune goes.Pulling timing with a timing adjuster (if available) until the knock goes away might wreck the inherent power and economy designed into the engine.You could try going up a hill and make the car knock until it throws a code due to elevated emmissions or breaks a piston.That will get you a new engine.
Keep us posted on your progress,I'm very interesed in how this turns out.MMMMM,mystery problems.