2012-2014 1GR-FE (V-6) Pinging (Spark Knock Noise)

Hi, everyone! First post, and I just wanted to title a new post to help others with the issue of engine pinging in their 2012-14 Taco.

My story:

I bought my 2014 Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4x4 new in April '14. From the start, I was very unhappy with gas mileage. The sticker rating 16-21 mpg was imaginary at best. While 15-16 city was obtainable, the most I got on the highway was 18. I never got over that, even with no load, a/c off and running downhill.

At my "New Owner" event at my local dealership about 6 weeks after purchase, I made a point to mention this to the service manager. He took note, but suggested I let the engine break in a little more and see if it continues after the first oil change.

I've always taken the truck to the place of purchase for every recommended service procedure. I started researching the mpg issues and came to the realization that I never will achieve the sticker mpg. So, at that point, I just conceded that it is what it is.

So, over the last few weeks, I have started to notice a pinging (pre-detonation) sound. This was usually mostly noticed when hauling a 3000lb trailer load. When hauling this load (a trailer with a Polaris SxS and Honda ATV) I am traveling about 90 miles to my camp (85 miles highway, 5 miles extreme Florida terrain including lots of sugar sand and sometimes deep mud). I usually go about once every 6 weeks for the weekend and typically get about 260 miles on that tank. I'm used to that, and I can deal with it every couple months.

Well, a few weeks ago, when I made my last trip to camp, I got 170 miles on the tank!!!! This is when I started noticing the pinging. I attributed this to a bad tank of gas, so when I got back, I hoped a new fill up would change everything. Not So!

My last tank last week, around town, resulted in a 11.2 mpg calculation! I was due for my 20,000 mile service, so last Friday I made my appointment for yesterday. Yesterday morning, I made it a point to mention the pinging and bad fuel economy. During service, they called me in and showed me my air filter and in-cab air filter. They WERE dirty, I imagined, from the dirt roads I travel while at camp. The mechanic and advisor attributed this as to the bad fuel economy. I thought about it and it made sense. Starving for air, the engine could be running rich. So, they changed both filters to a tune of $70. (As a footnote, I'm wondering why the Check Engine light didn't illuminate for this rich fuel situation)

As I was driving home yesterday morning, I didn't notice any more pinging, so I thought maybe it was just simply the air filter. Simple, right? Not So! Late yesterday afternoon, guess what? The dreaded pinging!

First thing this morning, I called the service department and told them the pinging was still happening. They set me an appointment for 3:00 this afternoon. Then I got on the interwebs, and let my fingers do the talking to Google, and I found various threads right here at Tacomaworld.com! One that got thinking was this one here. It refers to Toyota TS-B 0044-14 (Spark Knock Noise) and as I researched more, I realized that this might be the cause of my problem!

What I find particularly disturbing is that the service department didn't find, or maybe didn't even look for a TSB on the issue. Also, it should be noted that this TSB doesn't show up on a search at NHTSA. (I also found a reference to a TS-B 0044-14 REV 1, but can't find a copy)

I will be going to the dealer this afternoon, armed with a copy of this TSB! I am actually pretty disappointed with the service department at my local dealer. I hope this will fix my problem, as I CANNOT handle 11 MPG!

If you are experiencing pinging from a V-6 '12-14 Taco, I urge you to research this and bring it to the attention of your local dealer!

UPDATE:

After taking my Taco and having the TSB performed, I was happy with the results. I drove home, with no pinging present on a hot Florida afternoon.

That evening, I decided to pop the hood to see if the sticker required in step 4 of the TSB had been installed. Surprise, surprise......no sticker.

I had some questions regarding the TSB and figured I'd also like to point out that it wasn't followed completely, so yesterday morning I went back to the dealer to talk to the Service Manager. The service manager was polite enough and called the head tech in to our conversation. The head tech had knowledge and experience on the TSB and said it changed some shift points and timing issues. As for the sticker, the excuse was that they were out of them.

The TSB Introduction states:
"Some 2012 – 2014 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with 1GR-FE engines may exhibit spark knock (detonation) during light acceleration and/or uphill in hot weather (80 F or higher). The Engine Control module/ECM (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been modified to reduce the possibility of this condition occurring."

My real questions that couldn't be answered are:
Why only some (all things being created equal) 2012-2014 Tacomas with 1GFR-FE engines?
Why MAY they? (either they will, or they won't)
And the final one, what exactly does "REDUCE the possibility of this condition occurring." mean?

Ahhhhh.....we shall see!

 

Ahhh, good old Toyota quality!!

 

Winter blend fuel.Ethanol fuel.Look it your factory book mpg done with97 octane non ethanol.Check Maf sensor plugs o2s.No codes showing have a garage check functions with a computer air/fuel etc...

 

I had the same issue around the same mileage point on my 4L. The TSB was so new my dealer had no idea until I dropped it off. Reflashed ECU and shift points changed ever so slightly and the pinging was gone.

Also: to all of your MPG complaints, you're pissing in the ocean of piss there. It's a big and old motor, reliable but not as efficient as many of today modern engines.

 

There's a big thread on this and the tsb for it. I had it done to mine after I had to fight with the dealer to get it done, gotta love Toyota dealers. I will say it did get better but I still very slight pinging when pulling the trailer running 87. I've just accepted these trucks are really made to run on 93, milage picks up and pinging is gone.

 

Interesting. Even with me running 91 through the blower, at WOT I still hear some mild knocking at times. The factory tuning is just shit. It does improved with the blower calibration, but it is still shit with AFR's dipping all the way to 9.8AFR when running the stock pulley and intake. Not that 10.8 is much better because it should top at 11.5 at most.

Fixed that for you.

 

What does the pinging actually sound like? Is it very noticeable? I do hear some faint ticking noise at the 2000 rpm range during acceleration, but since my truck makes weird noises here and there, I've been just ignoring it. I always thought it's just the tolerance looseness in the driveshaft or the u joints.

 

I would describe it as a kind of... buzzy sound. People say "a can of bees." I heard it when it was like on that verge of WANTING to shift but I would back off the throttle so the tranny would kinda hesitate at low RPM when it wants to shift.

The trick to the TSB applying is both cold/warm engine pinging and even on cool days with a warm engine. I agree with @Alloutdrs1 I have run 91 since before the TSB and I won't do less than 89 on cool weeks.

 

This is the sound my truck made on 97 before having the TSB done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHGQfHTWh-0

After getting the TSB I did see a small increase of 1-2 mpg. The biggest difference was just in the overall feel of the engine.

 

In my case, the pinging I would describe as like in the old days on carbureted engines when the timing would be off by a hair... or when a tank of bad gas was introduced.

I am about to update the original post on my experience.

 

Hello guys,

I have been reading around several post since I have the same issue with my 2014 Tacoma with only 36k on it.

Yesterday I took to my local dealership and asked about the knocking noise. He said "Yes, your model is known for that, we are more than happy to try to update your ECU." So I had them change my spark plugs and update my ECU.

Finally no more knocking noise!

I live in NC so I walked out paying around $105 dollars just for the spark plugs because I didn't have the time to change them myself.

Hope this helps!

Kyle Land

 

The noise! Holy shit my truck makes the same noise.

 

Good timing for this thread. I just had the TSB done after pinging developed in my truck. I walked in asking for the TSB reflash knowing exactly what it was. The service "advisor" was 19 and knew nothing but the tech that came out was old and salty. I like old and salty mechanics.

 

My '13 DCSB TRD Sport used to do that in hot weather/under load (towing a boat or utility trailer). I found using mid-grade 89 octane here in Texas eliminated it.

 

Did you guys ever figure this noise out?

 

You mean the engine knocking?
I tried playing that video, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what the audio is giving me.
If you're looking to resolve engine knocking, then the TSB should help. I had it done to my truck and it helped, but didn't completely take it away.

 

Sounded like a diesel

 

Dose it cost anything to have the TSB done ?

 

Just the usual dealer service manager pressure to change all the fluids and replace your half worn brakes.

 

Our 2014 Prerunner TRD OFF ROAD just starting the knock a few weeks ago. Thanks for the TSB, looking to go in sometime this week and argue with the service writer at the stealership.