1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius C Engine Noise on Start-up

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by AEROENGR, Apr 16, 2014.

  1. AEROENGR

    AEROENGR Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2011
    57
    19
    2
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My 2013 Prius C2 with a total of 4512 miles made an engine noise on start-up yesterday. The noise lasted for about 3 seconds after a cold start at 59F ambient temperature. It was a soft clanging sound and there was no engine vibration - the start was smooth. I had moved the car from the driveway to the garage the day before and shut down the engine after it had been running for about 15 or 20 seconds following a cold start. The noise occurred on the first start the next day. I also own a 2011 G3 and I am well aware that the liftback should not be shut down until the warmup cycle is completed. Since I had heard of no similar problems with the C, I intentionally shut the engine down without allowing it to complete the warmup cycle the day before. From now on, I will operate my C as I do the G3 - no engine shut-down until the warmup cycle is completed. My wife was with me in the C when the noise occurred. As slight as it was, she did ask me about it immediately!
     
    #1 AEROENGR, Apr 16, 2014
  2. mahout

    mahout Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2010
    655
    116
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two

    Strange. I would look for something around the fan, belts, or flywheel pulley to see if there is contact that either moves out of the way or sets apart. As for the warmup cycle required to finish I've never experienced such in hunndreds of starts, some fairly quickly.
     
    #2 mahout, Apr 16, 2014
  3. KYBlue

    KYBlue Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2013
    227
    111
    0
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    Mine has done this several times also, it's the conditions much like you listed. Moving the car, engine runs very shortly, and then shut off. Someone guessed that its condensation forming in the intake causing the rough run on the subsequent start up.
     
    #3 KYBlue, Apr 16, 2014
  4. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yep, it can happen on the C when you don't allow a complete warm up cycle.
     
    #4 orenji, Apr 17, 2014
  5. tpellerin

    tpellerin Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2012
    14
    12
    0
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    Mine is noisy enough that I considered mentioning it to the dealership, it's noisier than my Vibe with 100k on it, and it's a little too noisy too. I think it probably has to do with the "Atkinson-cycle" engine that I really know nothing about, maybe lifter noise is part of the plan. BTW, I am old as can be and have never had to have an engine torn down, so I'm betting that the Tom and Ray of Car Talk's old advice, "turn up the radio" is the right advise here.
     
    #5 tpellerin, Apr 23, 2014
  6. tpellerin

    tpellerin Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2012
    14
    12
    0
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    ha, advice
     
    #6 tpellerin, Apr 23, 2014
  7. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I had a BMW that would be very difficult to start if I'd run it for a few seconds in a cold driveway maneuver before.

    Ever since that car I make sure to run any car for a minute or so if I have to cold start it.
     
    #7 css28, Apr 23, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)