Check Engine Code P11EC

fantastic. I have an 18 with 48k on the clock.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think the highest mileage one I did was right at 48K. Most have been in the 40-42K range.

 

Just had to go back and check my repair order. 46,880 miles when I brought it in for this issue. Majority was highway miles as the truck was just over 2 years old at that time.

 

Here are some other threads on 3rd gen valve/head failures.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/burnt-valve.662650/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2gr-fks-engine-failure.705778/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/engine-failure-at-35k.605928/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2018-tacoma-in-the-shop-bad-head-problem.646806/

 

This is concerning. I’m out of warranty on my ’16 so I would be SOL and worst, $6k+ ouch! I’m thinking there’s got to be something in common here, and so far it seems to be fuel.

My guess is the fuel pump recall is the common denominator here. It maybe releasing debris as it goes out that gets pushed out pass the injectors and out the exhaust. Poor valve.

But who knows, and those that do are not talking.

 

I’m not worried. There were roughly 450,000 Tacoma’s sold from 2017-2018. I would assume that 75% were V6. So we’re talking several hundred thousand Tacoma’s, and even if each of the 1,200 dealerships has had 10 of them come in with this problem, that’s ~12,000 trucks . . . . . Not a substantial percentage of the total built. And I don’t believe each and every dealership has seen those numbers.

I’m also keeping in mind that the 2GR-FKS engine is used in 13 different Toyota/Lexus products, so the total number of these engines made during 17-18 could be in the millions.

I would guess that Toyota got sent a bad batch of valve springs and they made it into one specific assembly line of engines for a period of time. Hence not all of the engines have issues.

 

Finally someone else who thinks logically....

 

Couple of other posters above are experiencing this in their 19's. Maybe now that they are reaching the mileage, it may come up more often.

 

@rolled93slc I have replaced a cylinder head on two Highlanders and one Tacoma. Other guys in the shop have done cylinder heads on Tacomas and Highlanders. It’s becoming more common where the valve seat and valve aren’t sealing properly due to valve seat issues in the cylinder head. Toyota warranty has covered all of them and one was outside warranty but the extended warranty covered it. Seems like the new 3.5 has some kinks to work out still. RIP 4.0 V6

 

Yea the world was better before the bronze age too...
And damn that Edison!

 

So the good news is they're all going out before the warranty runs out

 

Agree with some here that this sounds like either a design or manufacturing issue. Seems I recall Ford has had something similar with Coyote V8's where the problem seems to be isolated to 1, specific cylinder throwing mis-fire codes. Also interesting that both have direct injection fuel systems. I'm not an engine expert but I understand that basic principles and functions. DI is fairly new technology, in mass-produced vehicles so it could well be an inherent problem they just didn't catch during R&D. Not nearly as scary as the Ford DCT debacle that made people's cars almost undriveable and dealers were informed to tell owners it was "normal operation". Or GM's ignition switch that actually resulted in people dying. If Toyota is standing by their product and making repairs, that's all that can be asked. Does not sound like a problem that is safety related or reached a level requiring a recall. That being said, I own a '18 and a '20 and should this occur when either is out of warranty, I'd be none too happy.

 

Bad News fellow Tacoma Fans, just purchased a used 2017 TRD 4x4 sport that got the code at 98381. I’ve had a 2014 4Runner for while and it is a tank, so it’s only natural that a newer model Tacoma would be even more of a beast. Doesn’t seem to be the case for this Gen.

The code was verified via the check engine light. On the surface - Service Records at the dealer did not note that the code had happened 3x’s. The confidential records held by the dealer did. Per that record - the vehicle had been strictly serviced by Area Toyota Dealers for the entire life of the vehicle. Did not know the truck ever had a check engine light discovery (via Toyota app) prior to my purchase. The truck was traded by previous owner. I purchased the truck a few miles later with a clear check engine light - the next day... I’m stuck with this issue. When I took it to the dealer, they said: Air fuel ratio imbalance (port) Replace head and valve 7579.10 possible will need 2nd head assembly... which equals double the cost. Is it certain that, this is the only fix for this issue?
I’d rather replace the engine than the heads for practicality purposes... if that’s the case, however it seems that if I throw in a different engine - with the same Gen but way less miles, it probably won’t be free from this issue.
That being said, seems like this vehicle has the most miles of all scenarios described, and detailed records show that it was dealer maintained for the entire life of the vehicle which makes for a somewhat controlled service environment. I’m pretty much at a loss here, and not sure of what the best fix is. I don’t want to be “just a parts changer”, but even if I did go that route - it doesn’t seem like it would be what I need to give me the same confidence of getting 400k miles out of this Gen Tacoma - like I’ve got for my previous Gen 4Runner. Any ideas for the scientific reason this issue is happening with these Gen trucks, would be appreciated. The fuel pump recall theory, makes since. It would be good to know if it is ever investigated. If any other possibilities for a true fix come to mind please let me know. As I say, it seems like even if I replace the engine, the issue may still come back up. Thanks

 

Gimme the bad news first

 

Thanks for putting this out there. Anything to look out for down the road relating to this, or should the new valve seat take care of this problem?

 

I believe the cylinder head is an updated part so there shouldn’t be any issues down the road. The vehicles we have repaired haven’t come back anyways

 

Oh good to know. Thank you. I wish you were my mechanic for this problem lol.

I only asked cause my 2008 IS Lexus had a recall on the piston and would misfire. Had my engine torn down and the problem resolved. Unfortunately, down the road I started having carbon build up. My car was stutter and nearly stall. I would have to get the RPM's up to clear it out. Then drive it to the dealer for an engine flush ($250 not covered) every time. I had the timing chain replaced while the engine was apart so I only paid for the part not the repair.