Inherited a 2009 prius and I don't remember hearing the sound when my mom had it but it sounds like something is getting injected or pulsating. Sounds like it's coming from the bomb shaped object by the front driver tire. Nothing feels wrong, no dummy lights, and the display doesn't work 99% of the time so obviously it's not telling me anything either. I had to swap out the coolant control valve a few months after we got it and I burped system but wife was driving it then so I have no idea if sound was happening prior and she has no idea what I'm talking about.
welcome! is it continuous with or without engine? moving or stationary? can you make a recording? and take a pic of the bomb shaped device? you will need 5 posts which display, speedo? how many miles on her?
Always appreciate somebody who describes stuff under the hood as "bomb-shaped." Lol... Welcome to Prius Chat...
Maybe "enemies" have planted a defective car bomb? Did the wife take out a large insurance policy, unknown to you? Joking aside, the "bomb" is likely the Coolant Heat Recovery Storage (CHRS) tank. The pulsating sound was most likely the 3-way coolant control valve trying to get into the correct position. The CEL (Check Engine Light) would appear intermittently if the valve is in the wrong position, and go away once it is in the correct position. A DTC would be stored once the CEL appears, even if the CEL disappears. Do you recall seeing a CEL?
The fact that you recently worked on the coolant system makes me think you may have induced air lock into the engine coolant loop. The bomb is the coolant heat recovery system thermos bottle. To better help emissions when you start the car it circulates stored hot water back into the coolant loop by controlling the 3 way valve. I only mention that because its so common on this site. But tis probably what ex says I have limited experience with the 3 way valves but like most things on my G2 I will soon. You can check my hypothesis though by putting on the heat in the cabin and listen for any gurgling or whooshing sounds under the dash. That's air bubbles circulating in the coolant loop. Quiet under the dash go with ex.
Continuous with but not upon start up. Moving and stationary. I did take a video but file is too large to upload. Can't zip on my phone so I won't be able to upload I drive 140 miles a day, car is a couple miles shy of 200,000.
No idea what a CEL is and the check engine does not come on. Is DTC data trouble code? I ride air cooled motorcycles with carburetors because I never wanted to deal with this kind of stuff so I have have a lot of learning to do
Would it matter if it's the A/C auto heat? Multi-function screen doesn't work so I can only use steering wheel controls.
I will bet that is the coolant control valve that is sticking, they do that and it will eventually code if my guess is correct.
From Post#5. Correct. Read in its entirety. YES, all EIGHT pages. Why? Others will have likely added some details to make OP (Original Poster) procedure easier. P1121 - Coolant Control Valve Replacement (with pics) | PriusChat