2013 GT pinging / strangle rattle noises from hood.
 

Howdy all!

I have a mostly stock (just added a K&N filter and strut tower brace) 2013 GT. 8500 miles. *Only* run 93.

I'm noticing that the car gets this gravelly noise in the front. Its definitely not in the cabin, like its coming from somewhere near just past the vents, skewing slightly to the passenger side.

Tends to happen under heavy engine load, like when I get going and get close to 60 mph. I can get it to happen on side streets if I use the tiptronic and get up in the RPMs. The car is definitely doing something that isn't right.

Questions:

1.) Does this sound like pinging? I've read several threads, several descriptions of the sound and watched some YouTube. Definitely in-line with that.

2.) Assuming it is pinging how do I get it go away?

3.) Not pinging... what else could it be?

I'm getting really frustrated with this thing. In less than a year of ownership I've had an exhaust system that smokes like a chimney (that Ford told me is fine), the plastic bits around my seat fell apart and now... pinging or something similar.

It could be, does that K&N intake require a tune if so that could be why.

The smoke is fine too, its just how she burns that fuel like a boss.

No tune required, its just a standard drop in replacement.

Huh odd, that's only thing I could think of if its not getting the right air to fuel ratio. Could try putting back on the stock one if it runs fine then you know its something with the intake.

Its under warranty, take it to the dealership and have them fix it.

I'm going to just have the dealership look at it. Have an oil change in like >500 miles anyway.

I drove it around last night; drained the tank as much as I could. Put some Techron in it, drove out to a better neighborhood than where I live (kind of shady/lots of questionable businesses near me) and filled up the tank.

The white smoke thing has always been a big ? to me. That got a clean bill of health from the dealership. Just a unique set of circumstances w/ the climate here and a new V8? Who knows.