New 2023 SR5 V6 Access Cab Engine Noise

Question for any V6 3rd Gen owners that purchased their trucks new:

Truck has less than 300 miles on it at the moment. Does this 3.5 V6 make a decent amount of engine noise at idle? Sounds like the valve-train to me. It's louder if you are outside the cab but I can also hear it from in the cab with the sound system turned off. I can hear the accessory drive quite a bit as well but it is less of a concern.

Would this be normal engine noise on a new V6? First new truck ever so it might just be me thinking too much but I expected a new truck to be pretty quiet. When we bought our Honda CRV new it was practically silent I had to look at the tach to make sure the engine was running. I've had only second hand Toyota trucks up until this point. If this truck had some miles on it I wouldn't give it much thought the rest of my trucks all had a bit of engine noise and all ran well and accumulated lots of miles with no issues.

 

Tacoma engines have never been quiet IMHO, the 3.5 also runs a cleaning cycle at idle which is kinda noisy.

 

Just wait till you’re in the fast food drive thru . That’s where it’s the loudest .

 

Cleaning the direct fuel injectors is noisy at idle, but it is normal for these engines and is actually a good thing for prolonged life and service.

 

Yup .. Tickety tick . Sounds like a small diesel at times . And the ticking cycles in and out and changes pitch .
Annoying yes, but once you know it’s normal and learn to ignore it, it’s a non issue

 

It does remind me of a diesel at times, I actually like the sound. It is a bit noisier at cold startup I’ve noticed, and then quiets down. Could be due to running switching to Atkinson mode? It’s a noticeable difference.

 

Well sounds like normal engine noise for this particular V6. Good to have some confirmation from other Taco owners I appreiate the replies!

Comments about sounding like a deisel engine are interesting. I used to drive heavy straight trucks and tractor trailers. I was thinking that this tacoma sounds a lot like the big deisels I used to drive but it can't be...This high tech fancy V6 sounds like a diesel at idle?! I guess it's supposed to so that's just fine by me. I'll have to research this Atkinson cleaning cycle it sounds interesting.

 

I have about 200 on mine and I took delivery last week. YES, they are a bit noisy at idle. I take great comfort in this engine's reputation though. GDI and Port injection? CHECK! Cleans its own injectors? CHECK!

I do think, much like any new engine, they will quiet down as they break-in a bit.

 

Just crank up the radio, and you’re good

 

Yep, I have about 1000 miles on my 2023 Sport and at times, it does sound like a diesel at idle. I'm used to it now.

 

All good my man.

 

I never owned a tacoma till my 2020 3.5 sr5. I had a tundra v8 for 19 years. Imo, the tacoma 3.5 engine is no noisier than my tundra was. If you listen to it with the hood up, you can hear more mechanical sounds going on inside the engine, but as far as in the cab, it's pretty quiet. Btw, I've got an access cab if that makes any difference.

 

High tech fancy v6?! Wooow are you in for a treat.

 

Yup, compared to my previous 1998 and 2000 model Tacomas it most definitely is.

Compared to a Rivian Cyber Truck Lightning or whatever latest electric or hybrid truck thing it is not. But that's why bought it...It's still a good old body on frame, live axle, leaf sprung, ICE and normal transmission-ed truck. Rides like a truck, drives like a truck and as confirmed in this thread even sounds like a truck. Hopefully it's reliable and lasts and lasts like my last 3 Toyota trucks.

 

you didn't do it this time?!

OP, yes it is a noisy lil devil, but step on it, and it'll run!

 

It’s actually a pretty cool and unique engine, I’ve never had a vehicle with a “smart” engine before. It’s one of the few that I know of that self switches from port to direct injection on the fly, and is programmed to clean itself. Everyone has heard of carbon buildup on valves of DI engines but this runs a cleaning cycle. Someone please correct me if another manufacturer has an engine like this.

 

Could be that no one else would want to.

 

Could be!

 

Multiple manufacturers have engines that are both port and DI. The cleaning cycle cleans DI injector. Not the back of the valve that have carbon issues on older DI only engines.

 

Are you sure? If it’s port injection those intake valves are getting a bath.