Squeaking/squealing sound coming from engine

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by randommonks, Mar 30, 2017.

  1. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    I just noticed today a squeal that sounds almost like a cricket chip but is almost constant. It starts immediately when the car is moving and gets louder when the windows are down, so I suspect it's coming from the engine. I can hear it at highway speeds but it seems to be more intermittent than at lower speeds. It almost sounds like a belt is loose or something. I can hear it on electric and gas modes and stops when the car stops. The noise is just as noticeable from the passenger side so I don't think it could be coming from a single tire.

    The car is a 2013 Prius with around 41k miles. Oil change done every 10k miles, give or take 100 miles, and tires replaced a few months back when the car had around 37k miles. I have an appointment at the dealership in the morning for them to take a look at it. I'm crossing my fingers that it's something covered under warranty or at least an easy fix. Anyone have any clue what it could be?
     
    #1 randommonks, Mar 30, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you hear it with the engine running in park and the hood open?
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 30, 2017
  3. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    I've not been able to get the engine running while in park but will try to remember to listen for it when first starting up tomorrow.
     
    #3 randommonks, Mar 30, 2017
  4. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Does THAT not rule/out the engine as a suspect?? .......
     
    #4 Tande, Mar 31, 2017
  5. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Sure does. If the engine is off, and you hear it....well there you go.

    I would suspect a squeaky strut or sway bar link. Nothing life threatening
     
    #5 Jimi1976, Mar 31, 2017
  6. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Yeah I don't think it's from the engine anymore. I sat with the engine running first thing this morning and no squeak until the car started moving. I'm sitting at the dealership now waiting for them to diagnose.
     
    #6 randommonks, Mar 31, 2017
  7. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Something with the brake system seems to be the culprit.
     
    #7 Montgomery, Mar 31, 2017
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Is there a pulsation to it, does that go up/down with vehicle speed?

    I'm kinda thinking something with the driveshaft CV joint boots, or the oil seals where the driveshafts go into the transaxle. Just guessing though.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Mar 31, 2017
  9. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Ok well if anyone bet that it was a worn out wheel bearing- you win! I had to leave the car at the dealership overnight since they didn't have the part but I should get it back tomorrow morning. It was happily covered under the powertrain warranty and they didn't make me pay the diagnostic fee either.
     
    #9 randommonks, Mar 31, 2017
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Doh! I was going to include bearing in my list, then thought better of it. :oops:
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Mar 31, 2017
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  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    That's what they all say :whistle:
     
    #11 Raytheeagle, Mar 31, 2017
  12. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Nice!
    You got it early!
    I let my worn bearing go an entire year before turning to a grind, effecting MPG.
    Good thing the warranty is covering it (I replaced it myself....I imagine the dealer would charge at least $800)
     
    #12 Jimi1976, Apr 1, 2017
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  13. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I wrote "wheel bearing" on a slip of paper (didn't have time to post) for my guess. If anyone doubts me, I can show you the piece of paper.
     
    #13 William Redoubt, Apr 1, 2017
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  14. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Mendel, Mendel, we all depend on you!!!
     
    #14 Montgomery, Apr 1, 2017
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  15. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Poor girl is going back to the dealership tomorrow for a similar issue. This time, it sounds like a metal rubbing against metal noise when the car is moving and a very distinct metal grind squeal when turning left but no noise on a right turn. We'll see what the dealership comes up with this time. Any bets?
     
    #15 randommonks, Apr 20, 2017
  16. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Apparently the dust shield on the rotor was tilted which was causing the noise. Spent an hour at the dealership and all noises have abated. For now....
     
    #16 randommonks, Apr 21, 2017
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