yeah, I read your thread on the AOS. I rarely get smoke. I have only seen it twice and that was after the car had sat for awhile. I didn't think the pinging was an issue as my Suv does it too, but I thought I would ask to make sure. My luck it would be first/last sign of IMS failure or something
My main concern is the stall issue.
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Actually #1 (stall) has only happened two maybe three times. To restart it I just turn the key to the off and restart it immediately, no problem. It has never happened while driving and usually only happens when its real hot out(>85 deg). Usually after I have driven about 10 to 20 miles turn the car off, go into a store and come back out. Didn't happen today, but it is real cool out."