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2007 Prius with engine noise

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ruggb, Aug 29, 2014.

  1. ruggb

    ruggb Junior Member

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    My 2007 with 155,000 mi started making a strange noise - It is also burning oil.
    I am pretty sure it is not valves - it sounds like hanging silverware clanking together in the wind.
    The sound might be a bad water pump or a loose timing chain. That is what I would picture those sounding like. It would seem like the water pump is pretty easy to replace. Is that true?

    I would guess that if I removed the pump belt and it stopped, that would be a definite indication. Is that correct? If it did not stop then I guess there is a $$$$$ repair waiting for a timing chain.

    What about the idler pulley, might that make a similar noise?
    Any other suggestions?
    thx
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Water Pump is fairly easy but it didn't make silverware clanking together noises.

    Did you get a low oil pressure light to alert you of low oil?
     
  3. ruggb

    ruggb Junior Member

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    wife's car so I can't comment on oil light but I had to put in 1 Qt so it was about 1 1/2 down.
    I can't seem to get the belt loose yet BUT I can rock the water pump shaft/pulley back and forth by hand.
    I don't think I should be able to do that especially with a tight belt. Ya think??

    A little tight in there. I assume the idler shaft is concentric and just turns (once I get past the rust).
    I also guess I need to remove the pump pulley b/f I can get at the pump bolts - so do I need to jury rig a spanner wrench to hold the pulley via the holes in it?

    thx for more help

    upd - Got the belt off and that shaft has a lot of play - started it and no noise - except maybe tappets - probably could use a valve adj - another day. Off to the zone for a pump.
     
    #3 ruggb, Aug 30, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2014
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Sounds like you definitely need a new water pump. Rebuild the idler while you are in the process. Info here on Prius Chat on the technique. Do a Google search and you will find it. After you do all of the work, you will need to refill the ICE loop coolant. Use the Toyota SLLC fluid. It would be a good idea to go ahead and drain and refill the entire system, but if you don't do that at least fill it back up and bleed out ALL of the air in the system. Otherwise you will have problems with overheating the ICE especially during the summertime when using the A/C. Info here on PC also about the bleeding, drain, and refill processes. Don't overlook these critical areas. Remember Google is your friend. You can find everything with it.

    If you still have other noise after that, then you may be looking at ICE damage due to the low oil. Remember, the lower dimple on the dipstick represent 1.6 quarts from full. Top dimple represents full. 3.9 quarts MAX when doing a oil and filter change. 4 quarts is TOO MUCH. Anything over the top dimple represents a overfilled ICE. Over filling the ICE with oil contributes to excess oil in the intake manifold and can cause problems with starting and overall operation of the ICE.

    Too late now if damage is done, but it might be a good idea to educate all the driver's to check the oil at EVERY fill up along with checking the fluid levels that are visible. NOTE: Concerning the radiator. Looking at the overflow bottle on the Gen II is not always sufficient. Sometimes the radiator can be low and the bottle still be full. For best results, remove the splash guard over the radiator and check the fluid level underneath the cap. It should be full to the top of the neck. See the picture below for a good example of what a full system will look like. Always check this when the ICE is COLD. Don't remove the cap if it is warm or hot. Risk of fluid loss and scalds or burns due to hot coolant.

    Ron (dorunron)

    Rad Fluid 2.JPG
     
  5. wa-chiss

    wa-chiss Member

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    As for bleeding the system, there's a bleeder on the radiator. It's on the left side under the radiator support. Don't recall the exact size allen wrench (I want to say 6mm), but if you look at the support from above there's a hole on the drivers side. Shine a flashlight and you'll see it down there. Open it as you refill and watch on the back side of the radiator (between rad and inverter) for fluid. When fluid starts to flow out, close the bleeder and there should be minimal air in the system.
     
  6. ruggb

    ruggb Junior Member

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    thx for that info dorunron........
    managed to remove the pump pulley. 5 bolts left on the pump.
     
  7. ruggb

    ruggb Junior Member

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    ALMOST done. I only managed to get about 2/3 gal coolant out. I tested it and the PH is withing OK range so I just added more new stuff.
    I had a P1121 & P1150 code. Probably both from not enough coolant. When I added more and bleed it the 1121 went away but the 1150 is still there.
    I'm guessing it is also b/c of low coolant but it should be good now. Temp is OK, heater works, etc.
    Will it eventually go away? should I reset it? thx

    ONE note, don't turn that bleed screw more than 4 turns. If it comes out it will fall where it is not easy to retrieve. It is also plastic, so a magnet won't work. Gum didn't work, but WIFE made a tape ball on the stick and that got it.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    DTC P1150 means that there is a problem with the coolant heat recovery system. You may just have air in the system. Or there may be a problem with the temperature sensor at the CHRS canister or the engine coolant flow valve.

    There are three engine coolant drain valves: radiator, engine block, and CHRS canister. If you open the third valve only and leave the radiator cap on (to drain the overflow container) you may be able to get as much as 6 quarts out. Rated capacity is 9 quarts.

    I suggest you run the CHRS pump to see whether you have air in that loop, and this can be done by removing the CHRS relay and shorting the switched terminals. For the procedure, see my post #22 here as well as surrounding discussion:
    Changing engine coolant | Page 2 | PriusChat
     
  9. wa-chiss

    wa-chiss Member

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    Oh yeah, sorry bout that. Could have said that but forgot. My bad.