Attention: If you have a squeaky CHS water pump! New TSB

[ny biker]

This noise is getting much worse for me and it's not cold outside. Temps now are in the 70s and I'm hearing it every time I start the car - and now I'm also hearing it every time I power off. And it sounds much worse.

I'm about to leave for an 11-day trip that will involve a fair amount of driving. I really hope nothing breaks down while I'm out of town, since the dealer up by my parent's house sucks when it comes to service. Not to mention that breaking down on the NJ Turnpike is not my idea of a good time.

[Tempus]

Mine makes da noize and it's getting worse with time, but I'm outside the 5/60 window. However, I'm sure it's covered under the Platinum, so I'll get it replaced just before that runs out

[viking31]

Originally Posted by galaxee

it's covered under the powertrain warranty- 5/60.

T-SB-0087-08 June 5, 2008
Abnormal Noise from Coolant Heat Storage Water Pump

Introduction
Some 2004 – 2008 model year Prius vehicles may exhibit a “squeak” type noise during vehicle
startup or shutdown. This noise can be heard coming from the coolant heat storage water pump
during cold ambient temperature conditions. Use the following procedure to address this condition
only if the noise is confirmed to be coming from the coolant heat storage water pump.

Thanks for the info.

This really blows as it only applies to the first 60,000 miles. I am at 75,000 (30,000/yr for me) and I knew for the last year and a half it was abnormal along with many others on this board. I suspect many pumps are bad as perhaps many people have been bamboozled by the dealers as "Oh, don't worry, that high pitched squeal and grinding is perfectly normal". Uh huh... ANY would mechanic know that sound is completely abnormal.

This is a bad part through and through and Toyota should extend the warranty on this part. Honda had a bad transmission on their 2000 minivans and extended their warranty substantially because they knew it was defective.

Arrggghhh!!!

Rick
#4 2006

[prius12306]

I hear nothing at all in my car - never had. Of course, that could be due to my hearing loss. Someone asked me once when I turned off the car what that pumping sound was, they said it was not that loud, and I just told them it was normal. Is this the noise you are all talking about (only for you it must be way worse). What I wonder is, if this is something really bad, wouldn't they do a recall?

[ny biker]

Originally Posted by prius12306

I hear nothing at all in my car - never had. Of course, that could be due to my hearing loss. Someone asked me once when I turned off the car what that pumping sound was, they said it was not that loud, and I just told them it was normal. Is this the noise you are all talking about (only for you it must be way worse). What I wonder is, if this is something really bad, wouldn't they do a recall?

The sound was always there, but it used to be a quiet hum, and now it is louder, higher-pitched, and stuttering (like a valve is sticking or something like that).

[viking31]

Originally Posted by prius12306

I hear nothing at all in my car - never had. Of course, that could be due to my hearing loss. Someone asked me once when I turned off the car what that pumping sound was, they said it was not that loud, and I just told them it was normal. Is this the noise you are all talking about (only for you it must be way worse). What I wonder is, if this is something really bad, wouldn't they do a recall?

No, even if you have some hearing loss you will definitely know if the sound is abnormal. Normal whirring motor sound OK. But when they are bad they screech up and down, esp. when it is cold outside. The same sound you would expect from a motor with a bad bearing.

Rick
#4 2006

[galaxee]

had ours done yesterday. we both notice the new pump sound is a little different even at hot ambient temps when it wasn't making the squeaking. i guess we both got used to the sound.

no failures, we just wanted it done before we ran out of powertrain warranty and had to deal with the extended warranty.

[dogfriend]

Mine makes the noise even when the ambient temps are in the 70's and 80's. Sounds like the beginning of "Planet Claire" by the B-52's. My ScanGuage says the pump is still working ok.

Thanks for posting the TSB, Galaxee.

[quagmire0]

Thanks galaxee! My wife and I noticed this noise last week and I came to the forum to see if anyone had experienced it. Lo and behold, it's the top post in the forum.

[Danny Diesel]

I noticed this squeaking water pump last winter and took the car into the dealer. He said he didn't hear anything. When I read this Tec Bull I know it was the problem but again the dealer could not hear it. I call Toyota and got two incident reports and someone was going to call me back in 24 hours that was 10 days ago.
I am very disappointed with Toyota handling of this problem.
Any suggestions?