Hi guys I have a 2011 Trail Edition 70k miles. I've noticed recently it sounds like it has a slight ping. It sounds similar to 94 22RE ping I had that I cleared up with rolling timing back and premium fuel.

I was hoping I'd be done with pings after buying this truck, but it seems to have a slight one going on. Strangely it's only when cruising highway speed 50-65 very light acceleration that I hear it. I tried putting some premium in it, but still seemed to be there. I only hear it when driving at night when it's quiet enough and with windows up. I'm thinking perhaps it might take a tank or two for the motor to adjust timing to the higher octane fuel?

I did read that some Tacoma's with the 1GRFE in similar year range actually had a TSB or possibly recall (forgotten now) for pinging. The dealer would flash or update the computer I think and that fixed it as well as improving mpgs.

I'd say mpg is pretty on for the age of truck. I get 16-17 around town and have gotten 21 on long flat highway hauls.

Anyone else experienced this in their truck? Has had regular oil changes but it probably due up for spark plugs and coolant, but I somehow don't think either of these would cause the ping. Hoping a tank or two of premium and maybe some fuel system cleaner will do the trick.

I suppose it could be an exhaust leak too, but it sounds so much like the old 22re ping that I'm thinking that way.

Any good Toyota apps for these trucks? I have OBD bluetooth pod and some apps so I can observe fuel, timing, temps etc. but wondering if you guys have any recommendations for adjusting settings in the truck like seat belt dingers etc. and possibly adjusting engine settings etc.

Thank you!

I would start with the basics and pull a spark plug to check condition. A bad spark plug can cause improper combustion and cause the ping you describe.

Depending on how long it's been since you change your plugs, I'd likely spend the $100 and change em all, throw a can of seafoam in your gas tank and see if anything improves.

Rather than use a fuel system cleaner, use Top Tier gas instead as Toyota recommends. Top Tier has added cleaners already built in. Or you can use Chevron Techron which is really Top Tier cleaners in a bottle.

A ping usually happens when the engine is under heavy load; it is unlikely to happen when just cruising unless going up a hill, so it may be something else. With it not going away when using premium also indicates it may be something else you are hearing.

Ya I'm about to order new plugs I'm pretty sure they're 12 years old even though only 70k miles it's time to change. Will clean throttle plate too while I'm in there. I just bought the truck so getting ready to do some deep maintenance all around.

I have a can of seafoam actually, could run it through, was going to run it in my wife's prius because it has a ping in hot weather under load (normal kind of ping) I suspect it's a EGR issue there, but can't hurt to run some cleaner through a 175k mile engine.

Top Tier gas is 95% what I run unless I can't make it to a top tier station on island. I know it's definitely not a regular ping scenario. Other motors I'm used to dealing with it happens when it's hot (mid day) and under load going up hills etc.

I have heard from other people that with modern engines and computers it can take a couple tanks for the ecu to adjust timing. I've run two tanks through since I bought the truck last month. 1 a tank of regular ethanol free top tier from costco. After that I heard the sound that sounds a lot like spark knock/ping coming home one night on highway. So next time I filled up with Premium. I will say I still had about 30-35% of a tank left of regular when I put the premium top tier. I'm waiting till nearly empty this time to top up. Interested to see results. Also considering pulling the negative battery cable for a night to let the ecu reprogram itself, but going to wait till I do the Spark plugs and Throttle plate cleaning this week.

Ping was an issue at high load/low RPM with the single VVT-i 1GR so 91 octane was the fix. I still run 91 in the Runner to avoid any ping.

At the end of the day, gas is gas and only a few refineries around you make it. Fuel system cleaners aren't needed.

I had loose front fender liners on my 2016 that sounded a lot like pinging when cruising on the highway. Took me a while to figure this out and found some other threads here about them. You can just look in the wheel wells and give them a jiggle to see if they are loose. I replaced them with the Rad Rubber ones and no noise since. With some new push clips and maybe rubber washers or something you could probably get the stock ones to be quiet.

Stuck EGR?

Ever change the PCV valve?

With an engine that old (regardless of mileage) might want to change it out.
I recently found "oily residue" on my throttle body plate; 2019 with 93000ish miles. Sure enough, the PCV valve was almost fully plugged, more accurately, stuck closed. Replaced it with a new one for about 6 bucks and no more residue on the plate. This engine has always run on 100% full synthetic motor oil, yet, gunk on the throttle plate.
I added the PCV valve to the 50K maintenance list...
AMLOR

thanks I'll check that out. I'm actually thinking more and more it's a exhaust leak. one of the donuts. It sounds like a slight leak when accelerating so could be at certain speeds it's mimicking sound of ping.

I did plugs, cleaned maf, greased drive train and am on second fill up with top tier premium. Gas mileage improved for one which is cool. I can't say if sound went away because I haven't had chance to cruise highway speed at night. Hopefully soon.

hmmm possibly, I'll look more into it.

Oh nice! I'll check it out. How hard is it to change on this motor? I've done them on my 22re 94 t4r and my wife's 2010 prius. neither were totally clogged but were gummy. Honestly didn't see much change. But hey 13 year old plastic might be time. There was some mild gunk on the throttle plate when I cleaned it. Nothing massive but definitely could effect performance.

5-10 minute job max. And cheap. Just don't over tighten it. It's not supposed to sit flush when installed. Look at the old one for reference.

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