small engine vibration for first time start the car on a day

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by hc167, May 12, 2009.

  1. hc167

    hc167 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2007
    132
    20
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    hey, I found this issue for my car. I am not sure this is really issue or what. So the problem is every day I go to work. I start the car, and then the engine started in few seconds. then I feel the engine vibration (the cat still at stop position). Is that normal? I mean this vibration is little stronger than when I drive the car for more than 15 mins with the car stop but the engine is still on. I think I read somewhere that when the car start, the motor start the engine, which make the pistons move but pump the motor oil from oil pan. and at this time, the car has not burn any gas yet until the oil pump finish pumping the motor oil. Is that true? By the way, since I feel the vibration. Is that also mean that my engine is building up sludge? Should I tried something like Auto-RX? I tried Auto-RX with my old Lexus and had good result.
     
    #1 hc167, May 12, 2009
  2. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    4,089
    468
    0
    Location:
    Bahstahn
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    How many miles?
    .
    Run a bottle of Techron through it on your next fillup and see
    if that improves things... if you have access to a sufficiently
    capable scantool, an injector balance test might be in order.
    If you're somewhere in the neighborhood of 100K miles, have the
    plugs ever been changed?
    .
    _H*
     
    #2 hobbit, May 12, 2009
  3. hc167

    hc167 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2007
    132
    20
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    It has 80K miles now. I changed the plugs at 65K. no, I do not have scan tools. well, again, the vibration is very small and only there the first time I start the car in the day. I may try some injector cleaner.

     
    #3 hc167, May 12, 2009
  4. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's probably that the engine is cold. The shudder is more pronounced when cold.
     
    #4 firepa63, May 12, 2009
  5. hc167

    hc167 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2007
    132
    20
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    it was about 50F. and yes, the vibration is more obvious as the temperature go down more

     
    #5 hc167, May 12, 2009
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,664
    1,042
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That sounds normal. If you are worried about it or if it changes have a Prius service technician listen to it. They may have to keep the car over night so that it will be cold when they start it.
     
    #6 richard schumacher, May 13, 2009
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,490
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Do you set the parking brake? If the parking brake is not engaged then the start-up shudder may be more apparent.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, May 13, 2009
    1 person likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)