clattering/fluttering, ticking noise under acceleration

I have 34k miles on my 16 TRD OR Manual trans tacoma. At least 3 months ago I noticed a noise, I described it he best I could in the title, when I was going uphill under acceleration. It only lasted as long as I kept on the throttle that single instance, and I didn't hear it again for a while. Now I hear it daily. It doesn't happen all the time, but at least once while I'm in the truck. It's usually at lower engine speeds, but sometimes will happen if I'm around 3500 rpms and accelerating, again, only as long as I'm pressing the throttle. It is definitely coming from under the hood somewhere.

I know if I take it to the dealer they will say they can't replicate it

 

Smart man. You're learning.

Suggest you schedule ahead with the service manager for a Ride a-long, be specific that this ride-along will with YOU in the vehicle. Tell them you need 20 to 30 minutes. Make sure you can recreate the issue for them. Video it too if possible and show them the video as supporting evidence. Also you can share the video here for educational and entertainment purposes. If they still balk, request you drive another truck (similar trim/config) on the lot to see if it does the same thing. When the new truck does not do it, you'll have an even better case.

 

This is the same thing that is happening to my tacoma. I have a 2011 tacoma TRD Off Road package. No upgrades other than metal front bumper, rear bumper and side rails. The best way i can put is when we were kids and we put playing cards and bicycle wheels to make that fluttering sound. This usually happens when i am low rpm and then accelerate, then it happens. But mostly, it happens during uphill. I would press the gas pedal but it wouldn't really accelerate, but make that fluttering sound. Then if i press the pedal more, the tacoma drops to a lower gear and accelerates heavily, making the sound go away. When i idle and press gas, nothing. When i'm driving on the freeway and i press gas, nothing (unless its uphill). I can replicate it, i just need a hill. You can even hear it with the windows up and music (normal volume) playing in the vehicle. It is so F*****G loud. It kinda sounds like the fan is hitting a piece of plastic and making that noise. But i looked at it and there is plenty of space between the fan blade and everything else around it.

 

My 4.0L Tacoma sounded like that under load since day one, never liked it. Hope you fibd a solution.

 

Could it be the fuel pump fluttering...Did it on 3rd gen...got replaced but told it would come back Toyota working on fix and aware of it...Will get new one when solution is ready

 

Does it sound like Crickets? If so it may be the high pressure fuel pump.

 

Pinging?? Hot temperatures could inrease chances of pinging or engine knock.

 

Cheap gas maybe? Back in the day in the 90's I had a Toyota Tercel and it would make that same noise under acceleration. Could never figure it out. Even had the mechanic stumped. Then one of my buddies suggested that I try a higher octane gas, so instead of 87, I filled up with 91 octane and it solved the problem. Tried 87 again and same noise. 89 octane, heard it slightly... So needless to say, I used 91 from there on out.

Not sure if this is your issue, but I would try filling up at a top tier gas station and filling up with higher octane to see if that does anything. Worth a shot for a few buck more at fillup. Good luck.