Pinging when accelerating, help please!

My 2013 Tacoma 4X4 XSP pings slightly
when I accelerate but especially going
uphill. I've tried Chevron and Shell in all
the grades and no difference detected with
the pinging. It's making me crazy wondering how to
get rid of it. I even strapped my cell phone
in the engine compartment and recorded it
but to much noise going on to hear anything
useful. Any ideas?
4.0 V6

 

See this thread:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/230991-2012-v6-dcsb-engine-knocking-1500-rpm.html

Short answer is you can try high octane (93 seems to be a magic number for many folks) or different plugs. But basically, you're on your own. Toyota has said "F-you" to owners with this problem.

I'm still fighting Toyota on this. Many promises of a 'forthcoming' TSB. No action. A few owners have gone to arbitration (including me) with no resolution. One owner in that thread is suing. No update on that.

 

Tried 93 already, I take I'm not the only one
with this problem.

 

Have you had the timing checked under a load?

 

No I haven't, can the Dealer do it or is it something I can do?

 

Yes the dealer can do it and that should be part of them checking the truck out.

 

X2 on the timing

 

While you are at it ask them why an engine with a knock sensor pings.

 

What does pinging sound like in a Tacoma?

 

Thanks, I'll go the dealer Friday and have them
check it. I have a feeling they'll tell me nothing is wrong
but we'll see. I'll let ya know how it goes.
thanks again

 

I know I'm not going to get a reasonable
answer but I have a few good q's for them.

thanks

 

Timing? They'll plug in their Techstream and watch the numbers and comment that the ECU controls the timing. Can the maps be changed? Yes, if Toyota decides to push a new release of the ECU software. Can the tech change it without that? No.

This isn't the days of distributors (or points, for that matter) and timing lights. I guess if you got a really determined tech, they could check the baseline timing with a timing light (there are marks on the crank pulley - at least as recently as 2012), but that won't tell them much.

Anything that would cause baseline timing to be off, i.e. a loose timing chain tensioner or a stretched chain, would be making some noise to begin with.

Welcome to the party. Sorry you had to join. :-/

 

HAD a slight ping while going up steep grades- NEW GAS-NO PING.
DAMN ETHANOL--REAL GAS solved the problem.

 

What about ethanol causes pinging? Not trying to be smart, just really want to know. I thought that ethanol acted like an octane booster, slightly delaying detonation (ie why its used in super high compression engines). Maybe water absorption from the ethanol causes the pinging? I dont know . . .

 

If you fed me corn oil I'd be pinging for days too. Apparently cornfed beef causes people to have long term digestive issues that can lead to cancer. Someday people will learn that corn consumption in general is the demise of the human race. Damn Indians got us. Lol

3
0
2

 

Mine started to do it once - switched to non-ethanol 91 octane and never had an issue since . Living in the corn belt makes it tough to find no-corn gas but it is out there . I hate the damned stuff - seeing far too many engines ruined from this fuel , not to mention the issues it causes with carbs and pump systems on older stuff .
Sarge

 

I think it's a safe bet that Toyota
test their engines with Mid Grade
and use Ethanol. It's just not possible
to get real gas where I'm at. If they cannot
solve the problem then I may get a Diesel
and hear all the knock I want. Wondering if I
pour some Octane boost in the tank if that'll
help.

 

The truck is new and it should not ping, plain and simple. It is rated for 87 OCT and it should run on that without any problems. My guess is there is something wrong with your timing or even low air flow do to some restriction, but it is a problem the dealer needs to fix. Perhaps you have a bad knock sensor from the factory or something else, but the truck should not ping if it is working correctly. If this goes on for very long it can damage your engine. http://www.peugeotlogic.com/info/info1.htm One last thing. Ethanol is not the problem causing the ping. The truck is rated for 10% ethanol and it should not ping if using it. If they cannot fix the problem file a lemon law claim and get a new truck. Be sure you document everything.

 

I totally agree, If I know them they will say they
can't hear a thing or find anything wrong. I don't want
to jinx myself but been there done that.
I'll know more Friday and will post results.

thanks for your help

 

OP, looked thru your fuelly profile... you tend to fill up around the 1/4 tank. Run a couple tanks at 91 octance and see if that fixes it (not just one fill up but a couple).

Attached Toyota's fuel recommendation in the below pdf for ya. People's interpretation is different, I read it as "Toyota does not recommend blended gas/E10 for Tacomas" but give it a quick read and form your own opinion.