P11EC CEL Code/Water in fuel?

On October 4th, my check engine light came on while travelling for work. 2017 Sport 4x4 with roughly 85K at the time. Stopped at auto parts store and read code P11EC. Was hoping it was just bad gas cap or something and wasn't able to take to mechanic right away. Was finally able to get it into a local family mechanic and he got same code and said it had low compression. I dropped off at Toyota service yesterday and they told me today that it had a lot of water in the fuel tank and they would be dropping tank, flushing fuel system, etc. I attached the picture of the sample they got. Mine is on the left, normal is right.

I've read all the threads on here with the same or similar codes and every one was bad valve and needed that work. My question is, is it possible for the error that I'm having simply be that amount of water? I had the fuel pump recall done probably a month or two before the CEL came on. My trip meter had roughly 80 miles at the time the light came on, and I know I had filled up out in BFE South Carolina the week before and hadn't driven it since. I've driven multiple tanks since that time. Any help from those more knowledgable would be appreciated.

 

I hope for you its the water in gas but if it really had low compression (hole 1?) that's not a good sign.

 

Also, I had no noticeable symptoms at the time. Since the code came on, I have noticed a slightly rough idle while in gear with brake applied and my mileage has dropped some. But no issues actually driving.

 

Could be a lot of things. Could be the water, could be a loose spark plug, could be a bad valve, etc.

 

That is quite a bit of water in the bottle on the left!
That would absolutely make the truck run like crap. Surprised it even ran at all.
Usually water from a bad underground tank has some color to it. You sure someone didn't put water in your tank?

 

It’s possible I pissed somebody off but at that time I do recall getting gas at a small station out in the boonies

 

How did this turn out? Just received this code today after filling up.

 

Christmas Eve I brought the truck home, 10 miles down the road the check engine light came back on. Dropped it back off today and got a loaner. The truck drove exactly the same as before they fixed my "fuel" issue. Makes me wonder if that ever really was an issue, but I don't see why they would make it up.

 

So I just got a call from service advisor and here is the result, "Cylinder Head Assembly-Intake/Exhaust Valve: exhaust valves on cyl 1 are leaking and not sealing cylinder 1 for combustion causing the P11EC00-air-fuel ration imbalance for cyl 1. Will need to remove head to further inspect and determine cause of issue. Will send head to dover for inspection and pressure check. Possibility of needing cylinder head replacement with all valves, springs, retainers, keepers, and other components."

Roughly $6,000 lol.

And not to mention that when I dropped the truck off the first time, I told them there was low compression but when I got the invoice from my water in fuel tank "fix" it said they tested for compression and was within spec. Kinda odd that it was fine a week ago but now apparently it's not.

I'm hoping Toyota corporate will do something about this as it seems this is a growing issue for many folks. Obviously still a very, very small percentage of the trucks on the road, but something that is a real issue. The truck is 4 years old with less than 100K on the odo but is going to need major work. This being my first "reliable" Toyota makes it even more frustrating. That Sienna we have a deposit on may have to swap for an Accord at this rate.

 

i completely agree my 17 developed this code Christmas Day, had truck towed to carmax where I purchased the truck and an extended warranty. Today revived a call that the repair is a bit above the qualifications for the techs at carmax and they wanted my permission to take it to the local Toyota dealer. All is covered under my extended warranty but they’re leaning for the same repair procedure as yours. Pressure check and a possible head replacement. Thankfully I have the warranty as I’m out of factory Powertrain. It’s amazing to think it’s known and there’s nothing being done about it.

 

I would be asking for the initial diag to be discounted on the future repairs. They guessed, and they guessed wrong. That's not your fault. You paid for them to fix a problem and they didn't fix it. You knew before they did that it could be a valve issue.

That being said, good luck on the repair. Doesn't sound too fun. I think you're one of the earlier model years to affected afaik.

 

I already got that removed, not that $86 does much on a $6K job. And because it was in already the week prior, the advisor told me he got the labor rate down from $120 to $90 so it saved close to $1K. It's just really frustrating because when I brought it in I even mentioned everything everyone had said on here. Why they went a different route I don't know.

 

Luckily you had that extended warranty. My service advisor told me it would be covered if I had the extended warranty, but I obviously don't have one. Why would I get an extended warranty on what's considered one of the most reliable vehicles made? I've owned this truck since new, have taken good care of it and now I'm paying for it. This is a manufacturing defect, not something that I caused. I'm hoping Toyota is taking notice of all of these and will take steps to make it right.

 

I would hope Toyota might help but I have little faith after my hood, it was rusting from the inside out and they basically told me I was SOL which was unreal. I only got the warranty incase but it’s terrible that a truck with less than 100k needs major repairs from nothing more than just driving it.

 

Ah, fair enough. Are you gonna through with it?

 

I am. It's paid off and has relatively low miles. Hopefully can get at least another 4-5 years out of it once this is fixed.

 

I questioned my dealer about the possibility of this happening again. Like is this going to be something I need to be ready for again. They’re going to get back to me.

 

I'd like to know the same.

 

Same thing happened to me this week. Check engine light and Trac Off lights came on and took to dealership. You don’t expect such a major repair on a 2017 Tacoma with 95k miles on it. Same diagnosis as the rest. They told me bad valve seat and recommend replacing passenger side cylinder head. Folks, this ain’t cheap and was quoted $7,800!! I’m getting a second quote from a Japanese car specialist in my area. I have to say that I’ve lost confidence in Toyota after seeing so many other folks with the same problem with no relief from Toyota. Stay tuned and I’ll update as I continue this process.

 

Did they say if it was the intake or exhaust valve. There is a problem with a part in the intake manifold failing and causing problems. I took it to my local Toyota service department and they found #1 cylinder leaking at the intake valve and wanted to do a $12,000 engine swap. I took it to another mechanic to have him look at the head because I just thought it needing replace because all the other cylinders were fine. While it was there I searched here and found out about the part in the intake failing. I told the mechanic and he checked and the part was broke. A piece had fallen and was holding the intake valve open. They removed it and put the truck back together. I have driven 3,000 miles now and everything seems good. I'll look for the post and tag it here.
Also most I have seen with this problem was 16-18 year models
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacoma-in-limp-mode-fixed.659782/