P11EC00 error code update

So you should know how rediculous a one micron filter is outside of a lab. Good luck with your issue but I doubt better filtration will cure it.

 

So rather than devolve into an argument about the size of a micron, I think we need to understand why one model of vehicle has a different failure rate than another, both having the same motor. It well may be a difference in filtration but whatever it is, I'm hoping someone with hands on experience with both vehicles can provide some insight.

Update: It seems the motors are not 'identical', the Highlander has a higher horsepower rating which could be tied directly to injector size. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

Interesting. I’ve used bottles of injector cleaner in my other vehicles but haven’t done so in Tacoma. What kind of additives would Toyota recommend? Humn…. pay the dealer $20 a bottle or buy one at Walmart for $5 …. What to do?

 

thanks for the info. please keep us posted as you learn more.

"Presumably that leans out an already very lean mixture thus creating excessive heat and burning a valve. I'm going to assume that injector is the last one in the fuel rail so any debris ends up there."

To me, it does not make sense that this small of particulates would consistently affect one injector. the debris or particulates are suspended in the fuel and evenly distributed. i would think it would be more random if this were the cause.

do you/they or anyone have a recommendation on fuel additive/cleaner that may help prevent this issue? is there a toyota brand?

also, how does a higher grade fuel help, or won't it?

 

It makes no sense to me either but given that from what I've read, it's always Cyl #1, there has to be some reason and it's just speculation on my part that the relative location on the fuel rail if in fact it has one, would be it.

Great question and I'll be reading further to see what I can learn. As I stated earlier, I believe oil and fuel additives are not much more than snake oil.

That's hard to say, generally the octane number is in theory the only difference but each producer has a blend of additives that goes into fuel and I doubt there's any way to uncover if that blend is different from one octane rating to another.

 

FWIW, it appears there is a Toyota brand additive.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284355100324

 

It would be interesting to know how the toyota additive compares to Gas Shok , I’ve been using that product in my boat (twin Yamaha 4stroke motors) for over 5 years with ZERO fuel issues ever . I’ve not considered it for my Tacoma … but now im thinking it may be a good idea . Or at least looking into .

 

Everyone has their personal favorite based their own experience but finding a truly objective and data driven comparison of any additive, fuel or oil is unlikely. And while I haven't yet checked, if the service advisors comment about Toyota recommending a fuel additive is accurate, I wonder if they made a specific recommendation. If so I'd use that and nothing else considering the cost of being wrong.

 

Something to consider is that it’s not always about particulates and filtering. There are substances in the fuel that can harden when exposed to heat and form a layer of residue in the injector over time that effectively reduces nozzle diameter and causes a lean condition. Wether or not there is a additive that works well, I don’t know but it’s certainly plausible. For aircraft injectors, I soak them in MEK then toss them in a ultrasonic cleaner, but they are little more than a tuned orifice, it’s a regular occurrence.
Interesting that this problem seems to be more cylinder specific so must be more to it. I’m not convinced the pros of gdi outweigh the cons.

 

I was having the same thoughts about the film buildup. While it makes sense with the fuel additive recommendation which would not address actual debris, it doesn't make sense that it's in any way cylinder dependent.

 

Also unexplained are thousands of Tacomas that are probably way more abused making it past 100k. Good portion of them probably not getting top tier fuel and/or regular maintenance.

Also getting the DI out, cleaned and reseated at that short of an interval would get really expensive and is not an easy pop out/in diy like port ones. With almost every engine now using some sort of DI, you'd figure fuel contamination would cause more of these across the spectrum and not just in the 2gr Taco motor but maybe it's more sensitive. Hopefully you get yours sorted out.

 

You're right and the number is more likely in the millions. I wonder if any of those that have had this problem and been repaired, have it happen again?

This is my 7th Toyota truck and the first one where I have any misgivings about keeping it long term. Only one of the 6 previous ones had a breakdown and it was in my driveway and a $7 part fixed it. My local dealer is replacing the head and associated parts but I want to have some confidence that it's not going to happen again.

 

As stated above , most of these trucks will not fall victim to this problem , case in point , I work with a guy that has a 17 TRD sport with manual trans , he drives this thing 40 miles a day round trip to work like Andretti and has only ever done regular oil changes , tires and brakes , that’s it ! Flawless . Then again he’s not a TW member so he lives a happy life . Loves his truck ! Lol

 

Until I see this directly from Toyota I won't believe it. I've yet to meet a "service advisor" that knew their ass from a hole in the ground.

 

Haha ! I was gonna say that ! I work at a new car dealership , been there going on 30 years , no truer words ever spoken !

 

"Get clean, stay clean We recommend that Toyota Fuel System Cleaner is used alongside your vehicle’s regular oil change for optimum protection of your fuel system and engine. To find out more, simply contact your local Toyota Authorized Repairer."

 

Hey , it’s worth doing in my opinion , if it helps with this problem I’m all for it . I’m gonna call down to toyota tomorrow and see if they keep it in stock

 

This is absolutely key info.
Ignorance is bliss. We discuss many things here and we really have no data to back up opinion.
Many of my family are nurses and doctors.
I never Google anything medical and ignore their conversations. So, I don't even think about it, much like your friend.

 

From another thread on this subject "Told me it would have been a $6k repair if not under powertrain warranty."

 

There are a number of threads on this issue, most having the same diagnosis and repair (head replacement). Some seem to think the replacement head corrects the problem but the fact that this keeps happening to newer vehicles as they reach similar number of miles seems to indicate that's not the case.

Making any point about number of vehicles with this engine that haven't had this problem is of no comfort to all those that are dealing with it and having to make keep or sell decisions.

Also revealed in the last thread is that it happens in Highlanders as well so they're not immune.

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/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-engine-code-p11ec.652502/