P0333 fix/Engine Upgrades

I have a 2008 Toyota Tacoma with about 192k miles on it.

My check engine light came on, I pulled over to find a packrat under the hood with a nest in the air filter (in Las Vegas). Went to AutoZone to check the code and got P0333, meaning it presumably chewed through my knock sensor wire.

With research, I plan on replacing it myself (would be a big job, especially for a noob like me). Also might be tougher due to it being older/rustier (purchased it in the midwest).

Prior, I’ve had a valve cover gasket leak for a little under a year, so I plan on tackling that since I’ll be balls deep in the engine anyways. I also plan to clean as much engine parts as I can.

My question for people who have done this job before: what other jobs would be worth tackling? & other than ordering a knock sensor & valve cover gasket, what would I need to purchase? I have a torque wrench already from replacing my spark plugs (the biggest job I’ve done thus far) & a socket wrench.

I’d like to keep this vehicle as long as I can & if I’m taking the time to get into the knock sensors, anything that would be worth checking out & upgrading would be great. Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thank you!

 

I’ve fixed the same code, p0333 from a chewed knock sensor wiring. Can’t speak on the valve gasket.

You can clean the throttle body and I would recommend replacing the intake manifold gasket since you’re there. I’m not a professional mechanic btw.
Also worth mentioning I bought some thin tube tips for my shop vac which really helped to remove the nest debris.

Not sure how read up you are, but the p0333 knock sensor is under a hard coolant pipe, luckily for me I was able to fish out the chewed wiring and replace it with a new plug without cutting the hard line or removing the heads.
In this first pitcure, that light grey plastic in the center of the photo is the replaced plug



in my experience, it looks a lot crazier than it is difficult. GL OP!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/psa-rodent-proof-your-engine-before-its-too-late-p0333-diy-knock-sensor-harness-repair.547066/

 

Question for both of you. Did your truck go into limp mode once the P0333 code registered? I have a practically chewed through knock sensor connector as well, have all gaskets and am going to do the repair myself in a month or two. Haven't gotten the code yet but it is just a matter of time before I lose all connectivity to the connector plug. Pic below:

 

When a chipmunk or two ate through the harness on my truck, I got a check engine light along with one or two others and it wouldn't shift into 5th.

 

yes to limp mode. And mine was not nearly as chewed as yours. Probably a good idea to fix it before that code starts to throw.

 

This is super helpful. Thank you.
Since you got to it without taking the coolant pipe out, does that mean you didn’t have to drain the coolant?

 

That wasn’t the case for me. I continued to drive it for about 4 months. I’m planning to get it fixed in a couple of weeks.

 

Yes, Did not have to drain coolant

 

If you have an endoscope, or can buy one, it would help confirm. Here is a view of mine freshly chewed that needs fixing asap