Prius making a noise...is this normal??? Also, need advice!

[Nards]

I found a dealer selling an 04 Prius with under 30k miles for a very excellent price ($15900). However, the car is making a noise when it is first started, but only sometimes. Apparently the car, in the mornings, after it has been sitting a while, or in cold weather, makes a noise that sounds like something is hitting the fan for about 10-15 seconds and then stops. According to the "head Prius technician," he says this is completely normal and the result of the gas engine and electric motor synchonizing. Has anyone else experienced this?

One thing to note is that the car has been in a supposed minor accident and has a replacement fender. All of the other parts still have matching VINs and the car still has a clean title. It also needed to have a power window motor and regulator replaced. They claim it was because the previous owner had installed after-factory speakers and put some kind of foam spacer to keep the speaker away from the window. Supposedly, this put stress on the motor and caused it to fail.

All of this very well could be legit and they may be being honest, but all of these issues do make me wonder. I have not actually seen the car in person (I'm about 2.5 hours away from the dealer) but have it on hold. I need to act on this quickly because I can not keep it on hold much longer

Anyway, please let me know if anyone has heard such a noise and if it normal. Also, if anyone has any advice or thoughts, I would very much appreciate hearing them. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Tideland Prius]

There is a noise on startup and shut down. It's the coolant pump storing (or circulating) hot coolant into the thermos. Other Toyota hybrids do not have this feature.

[jiepsie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nards @ Jun 8 2007, 08:55 AM) [snapback]457896[/snapback]</div>

According to the "head Prius technician," he says this is completely normal and the result of the gas engine and electric motor synchonizing. [/b]

If that's the level of knowledge their best Prius technician has, I'd definitely go elsewhere for servicing. That statement is complete BS, makes me wonder about the other things they told you about the car.

The sound is probably normal though, for the reason noted by the previous poster. Probably, because without really hearing the sound, we're just guessing. Best thing is to find another Prius and compare the sound.

[Nards]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 8 2007, 02:01 AM) [snapback]457899[/snapback]</div>

There is a noise on startup and shut down. It's the coolant pump storing (or circulating) hot coolant into the thermos. Other Toyota hybrids do not have this feature.
[/b]

Hmmm, I wonder if that might be it. I have not heard this noise personally, but they described it as sounding like something is hitting the fan for about 10-15 seconds. According to the dealer, it is not consistent either. Sometimes it makes it and sometimes it doesn't. Are these the case with the coolant pump?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Jun 8 2007, 02:06 AM) [snapback]457902[/snapback]</div>

If that's the level of knowledge their best Prius technician has, I'd definitely go elsewhere for servicing. That statement is complete BS, makes me wonder about the other things they told you about the car.
[/b]

Yeah, I definitely have my reservations. My first impression was that it sounded like a BS answer, but I was hoping I was wrong. Also, I looked the dealership up on the net and they have some of the worst reviews I've seen of any dealership, but they did have some positive ones too. It is a Toyota dealership so they should know what they're talking about. I'd love it if everything they've told me is true because I doubt I'll be able to beat this deal, but I'm also very skeptical.

[Bill Merchant]

Is this a Toyota certified used car with a limited warranty? Some people have had thermos coolant pumps die a screaming death (bearings in the electric pump) and others have had water valve problems (the valve that determines which way the coolant flows). Use the Search button at the top of every page to research these issues.

If there's a warranty that covers these issues, it sounds like a good deal. But that's pure BS about the ICE and motors syncing.

[slair]

In my '05 the only "no normal car" sounds I have is some small ticking for maybe a second. Not engine ticks, it sounds like the ticking a gas stove makes while it trying to ignite. It happens when I turn the car on and off. I know it completely normal for the car. The other odd sound I heard when I first bought the car was a whine sound after the car was off, which lasted around 30 seconds. Come to find out it was the coolant pump staying on, which was a nice feature, expecially on hot days.

I'd have to say the loud ticking your hearing is not normal. If it sounds like something is caught in the radiator fan, then I would have someone else look at it. Electric and gas motors dont sync. What would an electric motor have to sync with? It dosent have any belts or anything, its just an electric motor. I'd ask the technician that. And if he comes back with a remark about the gearbox (because it is a wierd one) tell him thats only when the car is in drive, not when it starts.

[morpheusx]

Take my advice, if it is not "certified" used you should avoid it. I am never ever buying a used car that isn't certified. Certified used comes will bring the warranty up to 100,000, it is well worth it on a used car regardless of manufacturer because you do not know everything about its history.

We just learned the hard way with a VW Beetle, we bought it 4 years old and after 1 1/2 years of ownership the transmission was shot, but we thought we saved by not buying one that was certified on a different lot, but after paying for a new tranny we paid more. Even if nothing happens the peace of mind may be worth the extra money.

The only case I can see for buying one that isn't certified is if you have the money to fix a major repair at any given moment, if it is an old car you are buying dirt cheap that if it were to break you just call the junk yard, or if you buy it from a GOOD friend or family member.

[tanglefoot]

That issue with the aftermarket speakers and the window motors probably scares me the most. That could be something you'd have to monkey with the entire time you owned the car.

If something doesn't feel right, back out and forget about it. It seems that whenever I thought I saw a deal that I could never beat, a better option came along shortly thereafter.

I'd probably rather go for a car with more miles on the odometer than one that has questionable issues.

Keep in mind that a brand new one isn't ALL that much more, after the tax refund. After my refund, I'm hoping my '07 package #1 will come to around $17000.

Eric

[Nards]

Thanks for all the input guys. In regards to it being certified, I'm not positive, but I really doubt it since they haven't mentioned anything. I guess it's worth asking though. That would make me feel a lot better about everything.

Also, Eric, how are you getting your 07 for only $17000 after tax refund. If I could get such a deal, I would definitely go that route. Per http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_hybrid.shtml it lists the tax refund at only $787.50, which really isn't all that significant. Am I missing something else though?

[Sarge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nards @ Jun 8 2007, 02:55 AM) [snapback]457896[/snapback]</div>

Apparently the car, in the mornings, after it has been sitting a while, or in cold weather, makes a noise that sounds like something is hitting the fan for about 10-15 seconds and then stops. According to the "head Prius technician," he says this is completely normal and the result of the gas engine and electric motor synchonizing. Has anyone else experienced this?
[/b]

Hmmm... I wonder if that is the same sound I have noticed on my '06? The one I am referring to is NOT the coolant transfer (I know that sound), and comes from the ICE when starting up and lasts ~20 to 30 seconds (never timed it) the first time until the engine is adequated lubricated or warmed (I assume). I think it only happens when the car is cold. IMHO, it sounds like a chain, so I figured it might be the timing chain...? This is my first timing-chain car, my others had a belt, so I am not sure if this is 'normal' and I don't know anyone else with a Prius with which to compare.

I bought the car as a demo (6K KM), and it has made this sound since I bought it and since it has had no other symptoms over 14 months and 44K KM of driving, I have considered it 'normal'. Given the end of warranty quickly approaching, I should probably ask Toyota about it next time I'm there for an oil change; I just know they are going to tell me they don't hear anything abnormal... <sigh>