Pinging noise

How’s the oil level? And how frequently do you check it?

 

I’d make checking the oil a regular thing.

If it does get low, it can cause all sorts of noises and things that you don’t want to have.

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

Watch your coolant level. Pinging is a subtle sign of overheating/low coolant. My 2010 did that when I got it. Found a slight coolant leak that I stop leaked. It lasted 3 months or so, then it went all at once. And I'd go with a 5k or 7500 mile oil change interval given the mileage on the car. That puts you(or your technician) under the hood more often. You need to be proactive on this one.

 

If that is the infamous "Knocking" noise you are hearing, I don't think it has anything to do with your oil change or the gas you use.

The typical follow up question would generally be "Are you losing coolant?"

 

Carbon buildup? Consider hotter plugs for your personal driving habits, else drive it a little bit harder.

 

Autozone stores sell Peak brand Pink Toyota antifreeze, ready to pour in for around $20 a gallon.

 

Sophie,
While filling up the coolant reservoir would not hurt, it may be irrelevant at this point. Because the reason you are hearing what you are hearing isn't because you are low on coolant. It is because where that coolant is getting to.
I am hoping I am wrong but if it is what I think it is, it will be a costly repair job. Don't immediately go with the dealer offer if they say it is the leaky headgasket.

Anyways, hoping for the best and let us know...

 

Head gasket replacement is 90 percent labor. The “official” Toyota way says pull the gas motor to change it. This video is the shortcut, still pretty expensive though. Toyota way is about $3600 if I recall correctly. These guys do it with the engine in the car.

 

Hi Sophie, first thing first, please check on the coolant and oil level every week as many has suggested. But before jumping into the head gasket, let's take one step back into the original post.

Problem: I think you had already described the symptom and had tried a low cost diagnostic to confirm the problem.

Pinging under load (you said accelerating uphill) may have something to do with carbon deposit, clog injectors, clog EGR system, low grade fuel, etc.

Solution: Easiest and least expensive would be dump a bottle of Techron fuel additive into your gas tank at the next fuel up and start using brand name fuel (I may have opened up a can of worm for argument as some members don't believe in brand name gas and fuel additives LOL). Also recommended by many members here is cleaning of intake manifold, EGR circuit -cooler, valve, and pipe (should get these done periodically anyways), replace PCV valve, and install oil catch can. Depends on your skill level, DIY (or know a good friend) can be very inexpensive as you provide your own labor.

 

Ouch.

 

Screw a compression tester style hose (with the valve removed?) into each cylinder, and connect to compressed air, see if you get bubbles in the engine coolant reservoir. Somebody posted a video on that today, can't recall which thread though.

 

Techron won't hurt your engine. Note that the manufacturere recommends limiting the treatment to twice per oil change, as the product can dilute your oil via leakby through the rings.

'To keep the entire fuel system clean, use Techron Concentrate Plus, Complete Fuel System Cleaner, every 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or at scheduled oil change intervals, not to exceed twice per oil change."

Costco always sells Top Tier gas, as far as I know. There is no name brand other than Costco - they buy it from a distributor mixed to their specs.

 

This was likely the normal pressure in the coolant system, regulated by the pressure cap.