Timing Chain Rattle?

I've had my Tacoma a little over a year (10k miles) and I'm beginning to notice that when I'm at around 20% throttle accelerating in 1st or 2nd gear, it sounds like a rattling coming from the engine compartment. Almost like timing chain guide rattle. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

These engines do rattle their ass off I have a feeling whatever your hearing is normal.

 

when do you change the oil
what did the dealer say
are you sure it's not something else normal like injectors
have you isolated where it's coming from in the engine bay

 

This is more of an internal rattle sound that's intermittent with acceleration rather than a continuous tick.

 

I changed the oil at 5k miles with AMSOIL synthetic.
I have an appointment to drop it off at the dealer next week.
It doesn't sound anything like injectors. It's only under moderate acceleration between 1500-2000rpm.
No, as I cannot make the noise happen when the truck is stationary. There has to be a load on the engine.

 

replicating could potentially be done by:
-lifted in air, under throttle, while applying brakes to create load; if there is a way to prevent fuel cut happening during brakes on
-on ground, locked in place such as e-brake on, wheels chocked, slight throttle in 1st to rev engine under load without running anyone over

regardless
dealers access lengthy factory TSB's. They're not shared with the public.

 

Pinging/spark knock. Try running a higher octane gas and see if it goes away. My 2016 did it and my 2023 does it. I think most of these trucks ping a little and people just don’t notice it, at least the ones closer to sea level. Mine never did it out west at higher elevation. Even the manual says “it’s normal”.

 

As it is, these motors sound like mini diesels. Threw me off since I'm coming from a second Gen.

 

Interesting. I'll try premium and see if it goes away.

 

Ha I suppose as long as they still have the Toyota reliability I'm ok with it.

 

Might also be winter gas so as someone suggested try a higher octane.

 

Winter gas?

 

Yeah, I think they all do it. I’m guessing if it was harmful, there would be A LOT of people on here reporting it.

 

Speaking of 'Premium' gas, doesn't the Toyota owner's manual for the 3.5L Tacoma's specify 91 octane gasoline? Does the use of 91 (or higher) octane gasoline reduce/eliminate the pinging that is mentioned throughout the last few posts here?

 

It's a thing.
They produce different 'blends' depending on the season ( hot or cooler ) that affect emissions etc.
It's a cheaper blend to produce as well - just last week I saw the number '2' as the first number - haven't seen that in ages... $2.83 a gallon -
Jumped all over that price and filled up.

 

If you run a few tanks of premium it will go away totally . Then what I do is run a tank of mid grade and then mix with premium . But if you do two tanks running 91 or better you will hear the motor quiet down a good bit

 

Just bought a 22 or and It's making noise just like you describe. It sounds more like a chain rattling or ch-ch-ch-ch-ch sound. How's that for a description? I hear it pretty much all the time but hear it best around 20-30 mph.

 

My 19 does the same thing usually at lower RPMs 1500-2200 and higher gearing heading up hills. It’s had this since new and I haven’t noticed any difference with premium gas or the recent spark plug change I did. Seems like a more noticeable injector tick than anything timing related.

 

Regardless of theories(all good btw)let us know what the dealer says. I’m in a tissy with my local Honda dealer. Wife’s CRV, first oil change complimentary, stick reads high when I check it. I dumped oil and measured 5 quarts. The motor only holds 3.5, 3.7…

My point being is dealers suck so let us know what the Einsteins say.