First Impressions

Noob here. OK, I read about, and have seen uploaded videos on Tacoma engine noise, and was mentally prepared for some. Well, now that I have the truck, I've got some of my own.

So I know it's new, and what is considered "normal", or "they all do it" but what is making it? Not lifters or valves right? I'm thinking fuel delivery related to injection or pressure regulation. But I'm just guessing.

And how do I tell, the noise level is not "normal"? I've never owned a truck before... I've owned some pretty quiet passenger cars, but not a truck, and not an engine with two different operational cycles (which if someone has a reference to, I'd like to read).
Some wisdom appreciated.

 

It’s Friday!

 

It is almost certainly the HP DI fuel pump that is mechanically driven off the right cam bank or the DI injector cleaning cycle. Both are nothing to be worried about. I have never heard them being much more than barely audible.


Also, at random times well after shutdown, your LP fuel pump will run to do a pressure test of the fuel system. Typically in the middle of the night. Just another random, odd, but normal sound that you might hear.

 

Great, I thought a possible root cause was a fuel pressure regulator. The sound I hear is much more than barely audible.

 

It could be louder on different Tacos and for different folks. I've heard a lot of Tacos and none have seemed especially different from mine.

I have heard the valve tick that happens on some 4.0l. That was pretty loud comparatively.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKKILW3Zj_Y

 

I was surprised by the sounds mine makes too, but it’s normal… unless it’s not.

 

@kahanabob Perfect primer. I thank you. So nothing related to either cycle / mode of operation should contribute to engine noise if I am to understand this correctly. I wish the vehicle's engine was quieter, but it is what it is.

I like @Coondawg07 summation of the situation. It's normal until it's not. I'm frankly really surprised, coming from pretty quiet engines in older Toyotas, Hondas, Audis, and Volkswagen engines.

I am impressed with the relative quiet of the cabin, all things considered. I was raised though to be concerned about anything in the engine ticking.

 

I'm a fairly technically minded individual. The owner's manual is challenging me.

The hood is really heavy.

At the very front of the bed, there are two bolt holes in the middle of the upper edge of the bed wall. I think I should get some bolts or maybe a tie down or something.. the threads show signs of rust already.

 

Yup.

 

As long as it drives, it’s good

 

If your 3.5 sounds like a diesel, don't get alarmed....its normal.

 

In

But let me get comfortable first. I suspect the humidity will be stout in here.