Check engine light

I looking for some feedback from anyone on this question. I am one of the unfortunate 2019 taco owners who got a lemon. 26,000 miles the check engine light came on. At the time I had a stock OV tune and Borla catback. I ended up going back to the stock exhaust and removing the tune so I wouldn’t have any issues at the dealer. After a few days of diagnosis they told me I needed a new head gasket and some valves replaced. I had done my research prior to this and also read the code for the check engine light so I was kind of expecting the results. Apparently there seems to be more and more 2019’s having the same issue at various miles. Anyways, my question is do you think the stock tune and exhaust is safe to add back on to my truck. I can’t see either of those causing the problem especially since there are more than a handful of other 2019 owners that had the same check engine issue and doubtfully had an OV tune and Borla catback. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

 

I would not put them back on, don't give the dealer any ammo to deny your claim.

 

Well they have already fixed the truck and it’s been a week with no check engine light. Deep down I’m almost certain the tune and exhaust had nothing to do with it especially if other 2019,s had the same issue. At the same time I am wondering if even the slightest chance of those upgrades caused the problem. I will probably leave it stick for now. Just sucks spending $1400 on a reputable tune package and catback to just sit.

 

You should have put this info in the beginning. That way we had all of the info needed to make an educated decision.

Since it’s been fixed, I’d say you’re fine. Especially since that work is under warranty.

 

Yea thankfully it was all covered and they gave me a rental. I’m just worried that the slightest chance of those 2 upgrades caused the issue. I don’t see how they would but since it’s been fixed I’m nervous to put my upgrades back on

 

Tune can be flashed anytime - that's easy.

I'd wait 90 days to swap the exhaust back. Not because it would cause issues, but because its a pain in the ass to swap back and forth on the rare chance that it needs follow-up work.

 

That’s a good idea and that’s what I will do. Thanks

 

Very unlikely that they had any effect. As you saw, there are very few other Tacos with the problem that you had. Definitely not common, but the issue seems to be similar. Valve guides and seats are not something that a tune or exhaust is generally going effect. If it did, there would be a much large number happening and / or more than just one or two valves on an engine would be affected.

We do know that the tune runs at stock AFRs. So, it is not like you have seen an overly rich or lean condition from the tune itself.


I wouldn't say that your engine is a lemon either. Just a very small percentage flaw given the number that has been posted here.

 

Yes, there are very few posts on here about it. The funny thing is that there was another 2019 taco in the shop with 46,000 miles that had the exact same issue. I don’t consider myself a car expert but I do know enough to say that I don’t think either of those upgrades would cause the issue. Thanks for you input. You are my taco Sensai.

 

You're welcome! And, thanks! Haha!

Yeah. TW isn't quite a full representation of Taco owners, but then very few forums are. Either lots of very enthusiastic folks or problem reports for the most part, so it is always hard to tell exact trends and issue frequency.

It is always good to get a 2nd, 3rd, or 8th opinion on things.



IMHO for my own Taco, I do think the vF Tune is going to lead to a longer overall life due to the consistency and less abrupt nature.

 

Bunch of 3.5 Tacomas have popped heads/valves early. This motor is not as reliable as previous motors.

 

I can't say about your issue, but when i added an aftermarket exhaust system to my 2001 tundra it ate 02 sensors every 20k miles like candy, and they were the denso ones that were suppose to be good for an every day driver.

 

Yea, I’m leaving the exhaust off and putting my tune back on. It drove better with the stock exhaust anyways

 

And your support for this statement is...?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2gr-fks-engine-failure.705778/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-engine-trouble-under-warranty.681822/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ng-at-70mph-cyl-5-broken-valve-spring.693907/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2gr-fks-engine-catastrophic-failures.698687/

 

They make well over 250,000 of these engines/year. The likelihood that these engines are unreliable simply makes no sense. We hear about the few that break, for whatever reason, but what about the other several million out there that run for hundreds of thousands of miles? The implication that these engines are supposed to be bulletproof no matter how they are driven is preposterous.

 

Well said.

 

I agree. I was just one of the unlucky ones in the small percentage that had an issue. They fixed it under warranty and gave me a rental.

 

I was one to. 2018 with 39000 miles. Dealership stated after all TS was complete and head and exhaust valves (#5) were pegged as issue, Corporate was tracking as a trend as their seeing more issues.

I also have a tread on here (Popped a code….).

After fix and no extended warranty offered I traded in for a 2022 and hope for the best.

And did ask if a new head design was considered or if any Root cause analysis was being performed to drill down to what actually failed and why. No answers could be provided.