Engine sounds like cold diesel engine

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mihai Er, Dec 29, 2016.

  1. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    Hi guys!

    First time here! I just bought a 2011 Prius (125k miles), i had one before from 2012 (160k miles as a taxi), sweet jesus, bulletproof!!

    When i accelerate (full power),the engine makes noise like a cold diesel engine, but just for a few seconds, then it stops, even i'm still acelerating. Most of the time it's very quiet like new, but sometimes not all the time, when i step on it, that cold diesel sound it's there!
    The car is standard.

    Any ideas?

    Thank you!
    Mihai
     
    #1 Mihai Er, Dec 29, 2016
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    is the oil level okay?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 29, 2016
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  3. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    Shame on me, i've arrived home. but i didn't check the oil level! last service at 121k, now it has 126k , it shouldn't be a problem, but i will check!
    Thank you for you speed!
     
    #3 Mihai Er, Dec 29, 2016
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat :)!

    Do you know anything of the maintenance history? How many miles have you put on the car? Any dash lights come on? Do you notice this when starting it up first thing when starting out?

    Keep us posted(y)!
     
    #4 Raytheeagle, Dec 29, 2016
  5. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    I got the full maintenance history, last one at 121k miles, the car has now 126k. No light in the dash. I've check the oil today, and i had to put some of it, i couldn't find 0w20 and i had 0w30 (i hope is not a problem). today the car was very silent, but at the traffic light when the petrol engine was charging the batteries, after i put my foot on the throttle ( gentle), the sound was there for a few seconds, it's sounds like a cold diesel engine but i think is a powerful vibration, i think!
     
    #5 Mihai Er, Dec 30, 2016
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Did the maintenance history have anything to say about egr or intake manifold work? Are you the DIY type?

    Have the spark plugs been changed? PCV valve? How much oil did you add when you topped it up? How many miles have you put on the car since you bought it (is it 5 k miles)?

    At around 120 k miles is when I cleaned the egr system to the intake system out as I was noticing rough motor to engine transition (maybe your vibration)?

    Keep us posted(y)!
     
    #6 Raytheeagle, Dec 30, 2016
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    120k is a big service. can you record the noise?
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 30, 2016
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I notice what might be a similar sound, at certain points in acceleration. A little more or less pressure on gas pedal, it goes away. And it's not a constant thing, just occasional. So far I've just ignored it. Maybe some pollution control kicking in: EGR, PCV?

    FWIW, I've heard this from early days with the car, and now we're only at 65K km's.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Dec 31, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2016
  9. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    150K?????? If so some have had head issues but most nothing until they can't stand the car anymore.

    The typical rattle is on start up only on a cold engine which Toyota claims is the EGR/manifold issues.
     
    #9 ETP, Jan 1, 2017
  10. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    In the US, if you do not use 0w20 oil, Toyota says to replace toe oil & filter every 5000 miles instead of 10000 miles.
    upload_2017-1-1_8-12-30.png
    See http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-11Prius/pdf/T-MMS-11Prius.pdf
     
    #10 Prodigyplace, Jan 1, 2017
  11. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    I work as a cab driver, it's very hard for my in that moment to pull out my phone and record.
     
    #11 Mihai Er, Jan 1, 2017
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    gotcha.
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 1, 2017
  13. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    i bought the car 1 1/2 weeks a go! the guy told me that he changed the EGR valve at toyota service (£450), yes that part looks like new. I don't now if he changed the spark plugs. When i've checked the oil, that was bad, so i had to put 1L, and now the level it's exactly at a middle point between min and max. I think i did less then 1000k miles!
    I've notice something, after 120 mile ( no break, i'm a cab driver) no sound, but at a traffic light with my batteries on only 2 lines, being stoped, the petrol engine starts to charge my batteries, when i've put my foot on the gas, there was a transition, and then the sound appeared. This is the only time when the cold engine sound appear.
     
    #13 Mihai Er, Jan 1, 2017
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  14. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    YES!! You now what i mean! This week i'll ask my service to fix this problem! my car has 126k miles!
    The EGR it's new, changed at Toyota Service (£450).
     
    #14 Mihai Er, Jan 1, 2017
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  15. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    it's only happening, when the petrol engine charge the batteries , with the car stoped! The bad sound kicks in when i step on gas pedal!
     
    #15 Mihai Er, Jan 1, 2017
  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    When this issue has happened state side and the car displayed P0401 as the code, there was an extended warranty for the egr valve only. So all they would replace was the valve.

    IMO I think there is additional carbon deposits in your egr system. An easy way to determine the extent is to remove, clean and replace the egr pipe. There is a maintenance video on how to do this in the Gen3 maintenance section (a sticky thread at the top).

    What gas do you buy? Sounds like the last owner may have purchased low detergent or standard gas. Over here we have "Top Tier" gas which is high in detergents to prevent carbon buildup. If you have only had the Prius for a short period and have not filled up yet, I would recommend finding good quality gas and run it. Potentially some fuel injector cleaner.

    Depending on what you find when you remove, clean and replace the egr pipe will determine next steps.

    Keep us posted(y)!
     
    #16 Raytheeagle, Jan 1, 2017
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  17. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    is not to much, but let's give it a try! i hope you have some speakers, start at sec 2 till 4!
     
    #17 Mihai Er, Jan 4, 2017
  18. Mihai Er

    Mihai Er New Member

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    i have 2 sec of my diesel sound!
     
    #18 Mihai Er, Jan 4, 2017
  19. MeGuinness

    MeGuinness Member

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    I'm having the same problem to....It goes away if I unplug the egr valve connection....Try and see if keeps doing it!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #19 MeGuinness, Jan 5, 2017
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