Engine Done

2016 Tacoma 85,000 miles and the engine has a tapping issue. Toyota recommends and engine break down and rebuild at $10k or a used engine with 44,000 miles for about same price. Bought vehicle used from a BMW dealership in 2018 and purchased a warranty with it. Always done oil changes myself so it might be a problem as I have no receipts for the filters, oil, and mileage records. Change it when the light comes on and keep getting it. It runs but the tap is there. Run it till it dies is an option, but it might cost more if I do that. Any suggestions?? Any reputable sources for a used or new engine? Can I even buy a brand new 3.5 for the Tacoma? Thanks for your help.

 

Dang, sorry to hear about that. Depending how handy you are you might consider a good junk yard engine and swap it yourself.

 

If you choose the used engine route, you might as well run it until it quits.

I suppose a rebuild is an option. But I can’t image the labor on that.

Surely you can find a good used engine for less. Maybe try some place other than the dealership to swap it?

 

Junkyard engine will run $2000-$3000 depending on where you are. Check your local Craigslist, they show up there often.

 

@Junkhead what do you think bud?

 

It's amazing how these threads come in waves. Been quite a few in the last few weeks.

 

3rd gen Tacomas are getting up there in mileage. Get ready for more.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

I was expecting you to show up sooner or later.

I honestly don’t know what’s going on.
I wasn’t around when the 4.0 first came out and had issues. But it seems like we’ve seen more 3.5 issues than usual lately. Weird. And not all of them are post “pandemic”. I can understand 2020. 2021 have issues. I mean, basically everything shut down and QC went down hill.

But Pre 2020 trucks. You think would be solid?

 

Sell it

 

Sorry this happened to you.

Is this a light tap from the top end or a heavy knock from the bottom or something else?
Did anyone do any diagnostic work like checking the oil pressure?

If it comes to a replacement I would search out a good used engine swapped by a reputable independent shop - not the dealership.

Engines are out there, people crash these trucks everyday.

 

This is good advice. When does this tap occur? Idle? Normal driving? Did it develop suddenly or has it been going on for awhile? Besides the tap, is engine running ok? No fault codes? Exhaust system ok? Oil consumption/color/pressure normal? Cooling system/belts ok? Check spark plugs, compression, valves?

A tapping sound could come from several causes. A good mechanic can sometimes isolate the source and it might be fixed. Sometimes a stethoscope can isolate the source of an engine noise. If a Toyota dealer suggested you replace the engine, I hope they gave you a diagnosis. And that would probably tell you whether or not an engine change is urgent. You should definitely get a second opinion.

If the engine is going south, I wouldn’t chance getting stranded. For a 6 or 7 year old truck, I would be looking for a low mileage, used engine. Good luck and hope it works out for you.

 

these same type threads are coming fast and furious! this might be it for for me for Toyota next go around.
that go around might be sooner than later.

 

Think the 2nd gens will out last the 3rd gens.

 

Personal views on ethics aside...

Your best bet from a financial perspective is to trade it in while it still runs.

 

how is running it till it dies a more expensive option? besides the tow to a shop and then source a replacement from there. i would run it

 

Ok, I’ll address the elephant in the room. The last three engine problem posters had a total of 7, 21, and 14 posts respectively. These engine problems aren’t occurring to engines of longer standing members. Just saying….

 

For a 3rd gen Tacoma, that's up there. 1st and 2nd gen Tacoma that's just getting broken in. My opinion, not fact, mate.

 

Just saw a 3rd gen with 750,000 miles on the high mileage thread. 85k is almost 1/10.