What’s causing the pinging

I have a 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 automatic and I’m having pinging issues. I went to the dealer before I learned that it was pinging, and what a nightmare that was, leaving with more questions than I started with. They couldn’t reproduce the noise. The knocking only happens at very low rpms 800-900-1000 just as I started accelerating then goes away. I recently changed the spark plugs and I’ve also been using 91-93 octane fuel and no change. Now before people start talking about TSBs and switching spark plugs and going even higher octane, is all that really necessary? Why on earth should I have to do all that? It’s a fairly new truck with only 75,000 and very week taken care of (I got a Tacoma because of its reliability). What is the real cause here of this loud pinging at very low rpms (everyone once in a while it will happen at higher speeds uphill) but mostly just that push on the gas pedal. Happens loudly when reversing too. I actually have yet to lock down anyone with these exact symptoms, but I will keep trying. Any ideas?

 

Can you repeat this with the truck in park or neutral and applying the gas?

 

I had it for a few months, ran one tank with sea-foam and a few more tanks with premium fuel and it all went away. I now use premium every two or three tanks of regular unleaded. GL

Pinging happens when the fuel at your plugs doesn't have enough spark to burn completely. That's about as simple as i can put it.

 

It does not happen in park or neutral at all. I have not tried sea foam yet but was thinking about it. I’ve used Techron and octane boosters and other products. Nothing really seems to touch this problem

 

Excessive carbon build up is what causes spark knock on the piston or combustion chamber

 

Common issue. I also have it. It’s ridiculous.

 

I would say carbon build up on valves and in the intake.

I'd do a scorching hot EFI purge (not a just tank additive) and see how it turns up.

 

Yeah, what little I found on 2015 (updated ecu program) with this issue.
The fix seemed to be what you said. Unfortunately it may or may not come back.

Post #132 and #136 confirm what you say.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2015-v6-spark-knock-pinging.447662/page-7

Thanks man. Always good to have your input.

 

I seems, I hear (read) more about later trucks having pinging.
The TSB that was issued was for 2012-2014.
Which is coincidentally the same time the SAIS was added to the later trucks?
Could this have any relationship to the problem?
Or have I just missed all the early year trucks having the problem?

I have to idea?

 

It's a common issue. Known as the tacoma tick. Mines gone down a bit volume wise when I run premium gas but it doesnt bother me so I switched back to mid grade

 

The is a TSB for this as the have to install the update in the computer. I had it done on my Tacoma in 2014. It cured the spark knock.

 

Since new I've had to run 93 in mine or it pings, I did have the TSB reflash done and it helped some but its still there if I run 87. I just run 93 and it solves the issue.

 

Try an Eye-Tallian tune up. Find a safe road and be sure you are alone. Start off at about 5MPH and nail it. Take it up to the speed limit and back off. Do it a few times. This will often clear any carbon and refreshen the plugs.

It worked when I lived in NYC and rode around with Louie.

 

I suppose my next move is to try the sea foam top engine cleaner. Still in disbelief that I need to use all these products and such high octane. Maybe it really is a computer/timing thing and I need to go to the dealer. Overall pretty disappointed right now

 

Being that you have a 2015, don’t be surprised if they can’t do anything to the ECM.
2015 should have had the newest software from the factory.
See the link in post #8. That guy also had a 2015, even the Service Specialist couldn’t tune anything.
A top engine clean seemed to be the only “fix”.

 

Unfortunately that only applies to 2012-2014.
OP has a 2015.

 

Mine did it since brand new, its a computer/timing issue. Even after the reflash mine will still do it if I run 87 and have the a/c on. I just run 93 and don't have to worry about it.

 

As @Bishop84 and @Tacologist suggest, I agree you have a 'physical' problem, not something fixable with some ECM tinkering.

I'm guessing you granny the truck most of the time?

You can do seafoam, or a big bottle of Techron in the tank, and run it hard for half a tank or so. On regular gas is fine.

Bet your problem goes away.

BTW, you need to have fun doing this. Manually shift and find where the rev limiter works in those first couple of gears. It'll scare the bejebbers out of you the first time you hit it, but after that, it's a hoot. And no, the truck doesn't care.

 

Another way to clean carbon from a motor is by using a quality spray bottle that atomizes really well . Fill with water then removing the air filter increase idle to 1k rpm and spray into the intake tube

Doing this will remove the carbon from the intake ,cyl head and piston

 

Seafoam will burn up some of the build up. No harm in trying it and then doing an oil and spark plug change.

I run 93 and never hear it.