You might recall, I posted a few weeks ago that my Dad's 2001 Tacoma 2.7 4x4 had been making ticking or piston slapping noises almost since new. They got worse over time and were especially prevelent when the weather was cold. A few weeks ago, he took it into the dealer and they said they would replace the short block under warrenty. The truck has bout 30,000 miles and they were very well cared for miles.

A few days ago, my Dad said that it was discovered that the two middle rod bearings were destroyed. They're are still replacing the motor.

I just think this is kind of important, because it appears this "noise" is pretty common on Tacoma 2.7 engines, especially later model ones so I have a feeling there might be a bad batch of engines out there. If you have any noises in your Tacoma, make sure you don't ignore it and take it to the dealer. Complain repeatedly if you have too. At least get it recorded so if they do finally acknowledge the problem after the warrenty expires, you have it documented.

Hey Brian, did the Toyota techs that tore down the motor note any reasons as to what may have caused the two rod bearings to fail? Like maybe debris in an oil supply or anything? Did the bearings looked cooked, oil starved or out of geometry? Stupid questions to be asking, but considering the reputation the 2.7L is building, it would be interesting to know if there is truly a bad batch of mills. It took awhile for the bugs in the 22R design to be found- IE: Inadequate coolant flow back behind #3 cylinder. Most common place for the head gasket to fail and coincidentally the area where the headbolts are the hardest to back out!
Anyways, glad they are taking care of your dad. Id love to learn more about the 2.7's but there just doesnt seem to be much info out here.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Actually, I should have clarified. The techs didn't say anything. My Dad's been going in every few days to check on it and he saw the motor out of the truck on a stand. When the tech walked away, he walked up the motor, flipped it upside down and wiggled all the bearings. The two middle ones were loose.

He would have had his truck back by now except that the new block had an oil freeze plug missing and blew oil all over the place when they installed it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Real confidence inspiring. Makes me wonder what else they missed when they built the motor. So last I heard, they were fixing that.

I'm not sure where Toyota builds the 2.7 engines. I've heard that they were going to open a 4 cylinder engine plant here in states, or maybe they were just going to expand it. They do sell this motor in other countries, or at least used too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I'm not sure why they discontinued it in Australia. So, they probably assemble them in more than one plant around the world.

What concerns me is that I've recieved multiple emails from Tacoma owners asking me if I knew anything about a loud ticking sound that seems to be common with the 2.7 liter, especially those made around 2001 and later. I fear that Toyota built a bad batch of motors. Either through poor assembly or poor parts.

These motors seem to generally last just as long as many 22Rs, and the design, with a chain/gear driven cam design is very cool. The fact that they can get as much power as the old 3.0 V-6 out of a 4 cylinder and get better gas mileage than many 22Rs makes this a very fine motor. But little quirks like this has me worried.

I fear that Toyota might be cutting corners in how it builds some of it's products, since it's moved some of it's design and production out of Japan and into places like China, Thailand and even here in the states.

Brian I pmed you not too long ago, but don't know if you got it. On my other truck, a 98 Tacoma with the 2.4. It has a ticking/rattling sound at idle only after it is warmed up. It has about 100k on it and runs perfectly fine. Do you think the valves might just need adjusted? Was your dad's truck running fine, but just had the ticking?

I picked up a pretty whoooooped 2.7L core engine from the local dealer. It only covered about 20k miles, not sure what went south first, or if the owner did something not so nice.... none of the major moving parts is any good....

The engine is pretty much a modern version of the good old R series. 16V head, balance shafts, impressive timing chain system and more. Not a single part will cross back for use in the older engine.

93SR54X4

My Dad said that it was worse when the engine was cold and/or the weather was cold. The noise gradually got louder and louder over time. The engine did seem to run worse toward the end, but not that bad.

I would imagine that either your valves might need adjusting or you might have an exhaust leak. Wouldn't hurt to have someone look at it or adjust the valves anyway.

I have a feeling this problem might be limited to the later model 2.7 engines, so I doubt you have anything major to worry about.

Also, the injectors will make a certain amount of clicking noise and this is normal.

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Alright thanks for the help. I know it's not an exhaust leak, so maybe i'll have the valve clearances checked out. I also heard the injectors were noisy too.

Lets not get over excited about nothing here guy's.I have a 2.7 2001 Taco with 61,000 on it and it just started to give me a slight tapping noise on cold morning and for only a minute or two. I ran some Techtron through the gas tank with a half tank of gas to get rid of the carbon and the noise is totally gone and the engine runs like new.
There are two oil tenders down the road from me and they have 98 tacos with 4 bangers. One has 320,000+ and the other 360,000+ and they both have the original engine with no rebuilds at all. These guy's beat the hell out of these trucks . They have gone through a couple of clutches and one tranny and lots of tires.No other problems. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> A fellow TTORA member directed me to this post as he thought this might be the same problem I am having. Sounds like it might be...

Here is the situation: My 2.7 is making a knocking noise that sounds like something is hitting the bottom of the oil pan. When I manually rotate the engine there is one spot where it makes a distinctive knock. The other thing that is happening is a strange vibrating squeel kinda noise (not sure how to really descibe it). It happens when I am crusing (60+ mph) and I give it gas. It sounds like something may be loose and vibrating at a high rate...

Does this sound similar to the problem your dad had with his 2.7 ?? I plan to drop the oil pan next weekend to see if I can figure out what the problem is. I hope it is something I can fix but I have a feeling it may be beyond my capability...

I would like to get Toyota to fix it. I have the following in my favor: I have an extended warranty, also my truck only has 50,000 miles on it. But I do have the following against me: My truck is lifted with oversize tires, I have done a 4WD conversion, I have a snorkle, and lots of minor body damage. I have heard they sometimes will void the warranty becasue it was caused by 4 wheeling but in this case I can't see how 4 wheeling could have been the casue. I hope they will cover this...

If you have any feedback I would appreciate it. Thanks...

I wouldn't worry about your modifications affecting your warrenty. They can only void the warrenty if your mods directly affect the area of concern. In other words if you add a lift and then want the springs replaced under warrenty. Or put a dual T-case in and want the factory T-case replaced under warrenty.

The first thing you need to do is take into a dealer and have them look at it. Make sure they document it and put down your problem on a receipt or something. You want evidence that you took it to Toyota and complained about the problem. Even better if the dealership acknowledges the problem. Make sure they put it in writing. YOu may need this later if you have to fight with Toyota. If one dealer says there is no problem or says they can't do anythign about it, go to another and then if you have to, another. Then call Toyota and talk to them directly.

Hopefully, you have a "factory" extended warrenty. Those are really only ones worth having.

I think the issue is related to later model 3RZs built around 2001 and 2002 and it may only be a few motors as opposed to a wide spread problem like the 3.0 V-6 headgasket issue. I only say this, because those are the only ones that I personally have heard about with a loud knocking noise.

You can also them that you know of a 3RZ being replaced at Mac Toyota, in McMinnville, Oregon, under warrenty for a knocking noise. Just in case they need to hear of a precident.

Good luck.