SOLVED: Is this 2013 Scion FRS Engine Knocking/Tapping normal?
 

Hi All:

Recently I've been hearing some sort of knocking from the engine. Usually I would be able to hear it in park while idling. Did a search and people said "it's normal...Piston Slap...etc".

However today it developed into really bad knocking.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ppc5iw92r...83517.mp4?dl=0

It's more prevalent on the passenger side of the engine near the alternator. I really don't want to go to the dealer if I don't need to. Can someone confirm if this tapping sound is considered "normal"?

This is after driving for about 15 minutes. Oil and coolant level is fine. I'm not sure what else to check.

Currently at almost 12,000 miles.

EDIT: Stock motor. Stock Tune. Only Drop in filter.

EDIT 2:
Official status as of 2-5-2015...

2013 Scion FRS 10 Series built June 2013 bought December 2013.
Never tracked.
Followed manufacturer break in to the T.
Mostly cosmetic mods and only a drop in filter.
All oil changes done by the Toyota Dealer at 6 months (5000 miles roughly).
Filled up with 91 Octane only at Costco Gas Station.

Engine is currently being torn down.

EDIT 3:
2-6-2015

Another FRS came in with the same issue, Toyota tore it down as well. No news yet.

EDIT 4:
Sound is due to a rocker arm failure. Up to Toyota to determine what parts to order at the time. Technicians are checking the camshaft for damage.


Note: I do/did not have a check engine light or had I ever had one on this car. You CAN have this noise and NOT have a check engine light.

That does not sound normal to me! Sort of hard to pin point it with the recoding but I would get it checked.

that sound behind the normal sound of the irregular taps does not sound normal and I have never heard that in my BRZ. I would say to take it to the dealer , at least to start to document the issue in case it gets worse and results in something serious.

Are you hearing it more/louder when you drive it?

I can't really tell much on idle but don't sound normal.. but mine #4 rod knock on me when I drove the car and put load on the motor but on idle I couldn't hear any thing... I don't want to say bad news to you but it might be beginning to have a sign of rod knock...or injectors

Take it in the dealer...

Well... Good news bad news.

Good news -- Everyone seems to have been able to help you out.
Bad news -- Looks like I'm going to my dealer too. :(

Same issues?

Gees seems like the 2013 first Gens are starting to show not lasting much....

@N1rve please keep this thread updated. I feel like mine makes some noises louder than 'normal' sometimes as well but I may just be paranoid...

I hope yours is not going to knock also... idk about us 13 frs owners...

The best way to describe what I am hearing (While I am lurking at work and have no audio) Is to ask you to think back 20 years. wwaaaaaaay back to 1995 when the valves in your civic (or whatever you drove) used to need to be kept within lash clearance.

Now about every 40-60,000 miles you'd have to put them back in clearnace tolerance through a valve adjustment or they'd get loud and start talking to you. My Fr-S sounds loud... like it's talking to me. I hear it when the engine is cold and warm and the loudest time I hear it with the windows up is when I am going through a drive-thru and the building is there to bounce the sound.

When I asked around, everyone says "These engines are just loud". Yet what OP described, and the little bit of audio I could hear from my phone, it sounds very similar.


EDIT:: Just to add more information -- 2013 Scion Fr-S, Asphalt, just under 24,000 miles on the motor, no engine mods minus the AEM intake, no exhaust minus the Manzo overpipe, Never seen a track day or drift day

Thanks for all your contributions!

It goes away when I drive it. But when I come to a stop the sound is readily there.

This morning when I drove it, it was fine. However, upon the 2nd half of the day during lunch, the knocking returns. I can definitely replicate this problem.

I'll be taking the car to the dealership on Saturday. Hopefully it's nothing.

Get like a wood stick from a broom or something like that maybe shorter and put it on the motor and put your ear on it.. like the doctor thing.. you'll be able to hear somewhat more is going on.. car is likesomewhat human lol.. little tip I've learn over times working on cars...

But yeah hope nothing major on your car.. baby it..

Keep us updated

$4

http://www.harborfreight.com/mechani...ope-69913.html

Why buy when you have something laying around lol jk.. good deal..:thumbup: might have to pick one up

Gonna run it to the ground and hope to shoot a piston out :lol: