2012 v6 at DCSB engine knocking @ 1500 rpm

My '12 was doing the same thing under load at around 1500-2k RPMs. Changed over to Amsoil, it helped from running the conventional the dealer was putting in. Moved over to 0w-30 Amsoil from the 5w-30 and it got a little better. Started running Shell 93 octane and problem is now totally gone for the past 5k miles. The crap they put in 87 these days with Ethanol does not make these 4.0's happy. I think it's mostly contributed to the Ethanol content they put in as a "filler" in 87 octane. Shell 93 has very little if none at all. I've run Shell 93 in both of my Acura's since they call for premium gas anyways and my TSX has over 200k on it with never an problem in motor from knocking or injector issues. Shell 93 is very good gas compared to most other brands IMO.

 

I have a 2012 Toyota Tacoma (V6, DC, SB, blah, blah, etc.) and in the Owner's Manual, in Section 6.1, on page 569 it states:

■If your engine knocks
●Consult your Toyota dealer.
●You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while
accelerating or driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.

 

I too have the exact same sound obscuron has in his video. You know what to listen for when you have it and mine is an exact replica. Funnny thing is my dads '09 4runner with the exact same engine never knocked and he only used 87 fuel from the cheapest source around town. His '12 4runner with the same engine which produces 270 compared to my 236 doesn't ping either, again using 87 octane. I live in miami and have no hills and mine makes the noise everytime I hit that rpm. It does not matter if the ac is on or off I always hear it. My '06 frontier never did it niether did my '12 4cyl tacoma. But this '13 Tacoma has been doing it since 9,500 miles and its agravating. Worse thing is you can actually hear it over the radio unless you have the radio blasting. My dealers response so far is that its normal to to use premium only.

 

+1 for Magna2406. It says the same thing in my manual. I had the same problem with mine. It was a low speed knocking which sounded like rockers/ lifters from my limited knowledge of engines. It only happened at low RPMs (1500 range) and more often when going uphill. It happened EVERYTIME I had my oil changed by the dealer. I tried higher octane and I personally didnt notice any difference. It lasted till about 45k miles then seemed to go away after the oil changes. I have noticed it maybe 1-2 times since then but very minimal and went away pretty quickly.

I have to say, in general I have been far from impressed with Toyota's continuing customer service.

 

Has anyone had any luck with an ecm reflash for this issue? I see it was mentioned earlier in this list that Toyota was working on it. My 12' is pinging like crazy at that magical 1500 rpm on shell 93, it's pretty annoying.

 

Hey alloutdrs1,

I live in vb too. I have a 13 DCSB and it knocks like mad, starting getting worse lately. Chumps at Checkered Flag keep telling me its normal. It is pissing me off. It started after my 1st oil change and gets worse after each one too. Im not sure what to do at this point.

 

I've been told the same as well, but to me a truck with 29k miles shouldn't be sounding like one with 300k miles. Mine is doing it with ac on or off as well,I'm getting ready to change my plugs this weekend so I hope that helps the issue.

 

Good luck and please let us know if there is any difference. I'm on the verge of getting a different truck if it's not resolved soon.

 

Slip are you running 93 octane in yours as well? I hope i can figure out something as i fear the upcoming hotter weather is only going to make it ping worse.

 

On 87, it is bad. I have used 89 and it lessens the issue. If I use 93 it is about 90% resolved. It is strange how after every Toyota Careless oil change it is more noticeable until I drive a couple of hundred miles. I believe that it is a timing issue with the ECM code though. I have 15k on my "diesel" taco now. It began after the 1st oil change at 5k. I don't think m they will ever do anything to correct it. May buy a Ford Raptor instead.

 

I just turned 13k miles last week and the pinging on a hot day was so bad I siphoned and refilled with 92 octane....

Has anyone taken them to court over this?

 

More than one person has gone after them on lemon law grounds, but I don't think anyone has ended up at trial (rare with lemon law), or otherwise pursued a lawsuit against Toyota.

The oil change correlation has me stumped. Question is whether this is being held up by EPA/CARB or Toyota. Then again, it only took Toyota 9 years to figure out the driveline vibration issue (apparently the most recent TSB is actually fixing it). So perhaps by 2018 or 2019 the 1GR-FE will have a 'ping' fix.

And I'll sprout wings and fly with rainbow-pooping unicorns.

 

^good to see you still here following this...

I hurt my back at work and have some time on my hands...

While I'm burning up my sick time do you think it's worth a shot filing in small claims?

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that after 14 or so documented visits to the dealer that I'm stuck with a truck that pings if I don't use "Top Tier super unleaded"

And try not to drive on a really hot day....

 

Hell, I still get the "that's normal" response about the drive train vibrations and the chassis squeaking . I should have known better that to buy a Toyota after all the lies they were caught up in a couple of years ago with the Camry.

 

Slip you are fighting all the same issues as me, driveline vibs and i have some horrible squeaking going on up front. Now that there is a driveline fix that works I will be making an appt. to try and get this taken care of. Working with the dealer is such a hassle though and i always end up loosing time at work.

As for the pinging I have always run Exxon 93 since the truck was new, since i started noticing the pinging i have gone to shell 93 and i am now on my 3rd tank of that and it seems to have improved, at 4.04 a gallon it better!!! Now next two days the temps are going to get up to 86-90* so we will see how it does then.

 

^ yeah but it totally pisses me off to pay that much for gas when it should run on the 3.50 87 just fine. Please let me know if you get the squeak and vibration issue fixed. I'm trying to find the time myself to drop mine off again, after I refill with 87. I was there 2 weeks ago with no luck on any of the issues. Maybe we should have a tag team match!

 

Quick thought. I read on other threads where there was evidence that Tacos built in Mexico have more quality control issues like ours. I checked mine and guess where it was built? Mexico. Not sure if there is really any truth to that but I'm curious where other trucks having this problem noted in this thread were built. If the VIN begins with a 3, it's Mexico. You can also check the stickers on the driver side door frame above the tire sticker.

 

That theory doesn't pan out, mine is a Texas built truck. How was yours today with this 90* eat we had?

 

From other thread...

Engine pinging in hot weather
Few weeks ago we had hot weather and I noticed my engine pinging under light load 1500rpm 30 to 40 MPH. As the weather cooled I changed the spark plugs to OEM correctly gapped and made sure it had 91 brand gas and the pinging fully stopped. Today the weather got hot again, almost 97 degrees and my truck started pinging again pound enough to hear it inside the truck with the radio off.

I'm sure it is engine knock and it appears to be related to the heat, plus the crapy gas here in CA does not help.

Anyone out there have noticed this issue?

 

I have the pinging hot or cold doesn't matter and on 93. Yesterday I changed my plugs to OEM denso gapped to spec and today was 93* and it stopped the pinging. I will put some more miles on her and see if it changes, i'm still on the tank of gas it was pinging on before I changed them as well.