My 2012 HyCam with just over 100K miles recently started an ICE shudder (approx. 1-2 seconds after the ICE engine fires up) a metallic shudder sounds for about 1 second from the engine compartment. This only happens first thing in the morning when the car has been sitting overnight (not when starting/stopping on errands). I tried to record the sound on my smartphone without success. I did get an oil change about 2 months ago (full synthetic) and had to return to the oil change place due a cracked oil filter cap that the place cracked when removing the cap (replaced with the metal one Toyota Part No. 15620-31060) and had to replace the oil that leaked out.
The EGR looks similar to 3rd gen Prius, which is notoriously problematic, seems to be behind shake at start-up. Genuine OEM EGR System Parts for 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE - Olathe Toyota Parts Center
Thanks! I'm guessing that a mechanic can diagnose which part of the system is causing this? Any idea of how much labor I'm looking at? Looks like replacing the system alone in parts would be about $1k.
If you can DIY, and are prepared to clean rather than replace, you can resolve EGR issues for next to nothing. It tends to involve clogging up of passages in the intake manifold as well: the EGR feeds into a passage in the intake manifold, which feeds small diameter tributaries, which exit at each intake port. Anyway: a good place to start is by removing inspecting the EGR "tube", item #5 in the pic above, see if it's clogging, and clean it out. Just that it's likely easy to get to, and a sign of what the rest will be like.
How essential is this part/issue? Otherwise the car runs fine and I probably can’t get to fixing it in the next few weeks (unless it’s a safety risk).
Well if it's clogging it could be the instigator of shake at start up. 3rd gen Prius has a warranty enhancement program notification on this. They slow-but-sure clog up, and with the clogging comes shaking at start. Properly functioning EGR also make the engine run cooler, so as it clogs the danger of head gasket failure increases. This is from Toyota Canada. The US version is a little different, same message. Toyota's expression commencing "While the majority of vehicles..." is pure BS: they all "experience this condition":
a clogged egr circuit can lead to a blown head gasket. it doesn't sound like yours is too bad yet. a good mechanic can clean everything, but might have to refer here, and it is time consuming. you don't need any parts usually, but labor can run upwards of $1,000. @Mendel Leisk can tell you how to peek inside for a quick look iirc
Just looking at the prices in my link above: I just googled that, and I would think McGeorge Toyota Parts site is (hopefully) more reasonable. Again, I would think everything is just cleanable, no part need replacement. Unless you're really lazy and rich, lol. In particular look at item #5, essentially a pipe with a few kinks and brackets: Toyota's suggest retail $222 US!
