Hey there. I have a 2000 2.7L Tacoma 5 Speed SR5.
It has 140k miles and ever since about 2000 miles ago, or 3 months ago when I drove up to Alaska through Canada, it has been making a knocking noise, which sounds really raspy under load and almost like a really LOUD pinging. It quit making the noise for about 5 minutes right after I got the oil changed. So I'm thinking a lifter isn't getting oil or something. So I'm assuming the reason it stopped for a couple minutes was because when oil was put back in, it got on the lifter and then once it worked its way through, it went back to the knocking/pinging noise. There is a noticeable performance decrease, and the sound drives me crazy, but I can't afford to take it to a mechanic right now cause I'm a broke college student.
So if anybody could try and help me pinpoint the problem I'd be VERY VERY appreciative. I tried one mechanic a couple months ago but he couldn't figure it out. My dad thinks maybe it's an oil pump? Anybody else had this problem?

Thank you

 

a pinging noise is notorious with detonation, maybe its time for a timing belt, water pump, valve lash adjustment, and ofcourse setting the proper timing?

try running some higher octane gas if you think its a detonation problem, could temporarily fix your problem

 

It being a 2.7L I don't believe it has a timing belt, it has a timing chain. Have you changed the spark plugs? If your noticing a power loss that could be it. My wifes '97 tacoma was idling a little rough and was missing a little under load- got new plugs and promblem solved. The center electrode on the stock ones were burnt out pretty good and it had almost double the gap it was supposed to have. Go get some NGK's, the factory ones, there like $1.99 a piece at advanced or auto zone. I would try that first then work from there, cheapest first. If its still there, give the plug wires a good check, one good be grounding out.

 

I've been running premium which in Alaska is only 90 octane. It seems to have helped slightly. I also got new NGK spark plugs put in about a month ago because it was bucking pretty violently, and that solved that problem. The sound I guess just worries me, and it's really embarrassing when I give people rides. They always ask me what's wrong with my truck, so I just turn up the music, lol.
Thx for the replies. I'm just trying to build up a list of stuff to have a mechanic check out when I get some money for Christmas or so.
Thx again.

 

I agree with BigVick, the 2.7 has a chain. I also have a 2.7L 4x4 myself and it had a similar problem. I switched to the $12.99 plugs and MADE SURE they were gapped properly and that took care of my problem. The old one's were off by quite a bit, it may also be worth it to clean out your intake.

Good luck...do search...there are many other threads on here as well.

 

IF its a lifter (Im not sure of your problem, and am no help in finding out) one thing to try is to change oil again, go one wieght higher than normal, and put in a quart less. for the last quart put in ATF. I am in no way saying this is safe, nor will I be held responsible for any actions resulting thereof. But I've done it, and it will quiet down noisy lifters almost everytime, I dont know how, I dont know why, but hey it worked.

 

The way I heard it was: change your oil and instead of oil, use auto tans. fluid. Crank the truck and let it idle for about 15-20 minutes. After that go ahead and change your oil like regular. I had a good buddy of mine tell me how to do this and he is a mechanic, whose dad has owned F&M Imports for many years. I tried it on my old Honda Passport and it worked like a charm.
Hope this helps.
--Alex

 

Awesome guys. Thx. My buddy who used to work with a mechanic suggested the same thing a while back. I'll get some ATF tomorrow or so, and run some through it. I can't change my oil cause I don't have anywhere to do it, and it's WAYYYYYYYYYYY too cold to do it outside. So maybe I can talk my buddies at Sears into letting me come in there and work on my truck for a bit. Looks like the ATF might be a solution.
Thx again, and any other suggestions are appreciated.

 

atf works cuz it has detergents in it, its the old school way of fixing problems like yours. and to be honest, it works...but remember now your putting ATF in your crank, where its not supposed to be. just want you to be concious of that.

 

Alright, well I put a quart of ATF in. I ran it through for a bit, and I haven't noticed any difference YET...but I'm not giving up yet. I just got the oil changed last week, but should I get it changed again? I don't mind paying the $25 again. Any recommendations for when I get it changed. I live in Alaska, so anything that I should suggest to them when I get it changed for cold weather? Like maybe a quart of some cleaner or sort and 4 quarts of oil?
Also, how many quarts does the 2.7l take? Just curious. They'll put up to 5 quarts in at Sears. Thx again everyone!

 

If you are looking for some sort of cleaner I would suggest Auto Rx http://www.auto-rx.com/index.html

 

Okie doke....I ran it for about 10 minutes, let it warm up before I was going to head out to see my woman. Well the knocking sounds like a pen clicking sort of noise. Sounds slightly different now. And I opened the hood to try and listen for it, and it sounds like it's coming from the right side of the engine (if you're facing the engine). I'm a tard when it comes to engine parts, so is there something on the right side that could be clicking? Or am I hearing things. I'm just trying to make it till the end of January, cause I might have some extra money to take it to a mechanic if I can't get it figured out by then.
Thx everybody. Hopefully I'll get it figured out soon.

 

I had a "ticking/clicking" noise once and I thought it was a lifter/valve but it turned out to be a loose spark plug. I am not sure how that happened but a new plug installed properly solved the problem.

 

it could be an exhaust leak at the manifold or lower. Try getting a cheap stethescope and while its idling, listen for the noise as you move the scope around to diff points on the manifold. I hope its that simple! Detonation could also be caused by the egr system, possible your egr valve is toast or your egr ports are clogged.