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Tacoma died on freeway puffs of white smoke coming from exhaust with gas smell

kefferjoe

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I was driving down the freeway and the truck suddenly went into limp mode and the dash lit up. The truck had issues idling and there were puffs of white smoke coming from the exhaust and smelled like gasoline. The vehicle diagnostic indicated electrical failure of some sort. Had it towed to the dealership but was curious if anyone else has experienced this. 2024 Tacoma non hybrid 28k miles. Does have K&N intake.
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gmalkmus

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Never heard of that happening before, terrible luck I’m sorry! Is it a manual? Uphill in a high gear giving it a lot of gas?
 
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kefferjoe

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Never heard of that happening before, terrible luck I’m sorry! Is it a manual? Uphill in a high gear giving it a lot of gas?
Uphill so was giving it a good amount of gas.

preliminary results showed a lot of fuel in cylinder 3. So possibly a bad injector or bad valve.

Toyota gave me a rental for at least a week and assured me this will be covered under warranty
 

Will721

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Not as common in gas as diesel due to pressure differences, but direct injection injectors typically have replaceable tips do to a combination of high cylinder and rail pressures. They function like an needle and seat. They are prone to hanging open or even dropping the tip into a cylinder.

Just a shot in the dark, but if I had to guess one of the injectors in the DI system hung open and flooded the engine. Possible it hydro locked.
 

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Ace-ington

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I had the K&N intake and I had fueling issues with it(not tuned). The design sucks around the sensor (on mine it did right around the vaccuum hoses its a mess) i wouldn't mention it to the dealer haha. My dash lit up with that intake and i believe I might have a lazy O2 sensor from it cause of bad fueling clogging it up from the intake design (might be throwing too much fuel to compensate)
 

sanman4ever

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I had a Rogue that blew up, similar symptoms. Ended up being coolant leaking into one of the cylinders.
 

TrailAdventurer

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The K&N filter could contribute, particularly if you cleaned and reoiled it recently. Excessive oil can be pulled past and contaminate the MAF sensor (different vehicle, but been there, have the t'shirt).

As also noted, fuel injector sticking open or electrically commanded open (e.g. the electrical issue).

Ignition-coil, plug, or ignition-circuit failure.

Either way, stopping and having it towed may have prevented damage to the catalytic converter, washing lubricant from the cylinder wall, or dilute the engine oil.

Will be very interested to hear what the dealer comes up with.
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