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Questions about my 2007 Prius!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by darkgiant, Aug 16, 2015.

  1. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    To clarify everything with the oil reading:
    To answer questions about the oil levels, yes, before I filled the car with oil, it was around the dimple level. After filling it up, it reached halfway.

    I may be wrong about the 2,400 mile mark, I will give the oil a look after 3-4 days of driving and reconsider changing the oil, or just filling it up, and monitoring it closely.

    As for the grinding noise, I didn't get a chance to drive the car today as I drove one of my other cars to work today, but I will be back to using this car again tomorrow, and will share if this grinding noise comes back, something tells me the low oil level may have been the cause?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    It does not sound like the oil level dropped low enough to impair engine lubrication, hence the oil level would not be responsible for any unusual noises.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if the oil was only down to the lower dimple, it's still within spec. so the car is not going to warn you. without more details it's hard to say if or how much oil you're burning. no need to change it, just top it up to the upper dimple, and track mileage until it gets to the lower dimple. check it daily until you are comfortable with how fast it's dropping. i forget how much oil is between the two dimple, 1/2 or 3/4 quart?
     
  4. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    So this is really embarrassing, but I underestimated how many miles I put on the car since the last oil change. I was sitting right at 4,500 as of this morning. The recommended oil change is every 5,000 miles, so I guess I was pretty close to it. I drove the car today, and didn't hear the noise at all, but I am going to continue testing until I can figure a way to mount a GoPro to catch all noises.

    Though, I felt the cars engine accelerate with power (it felt like the engine needed the oil, can be a placebo effect on my end of course), I have fortunately learned my lesson, and now need to build a habit of checking the cars fluids and relevant things on a weekly basis.
     
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  5. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    So just an update, I tried to mount my GoPro and used an external mic to capture the noise, instead the Mic only picks up wind noise, not the actual car noise.

    One thing I noticed is that the noise really kicks in when I am flooring the car at low speeds (0-35ish).

    I don't floor my car often, but it does happen, especially when entering freeway ramps and such. I am also going to get an oil change done for sure this weekend.

    I also noticed the AC doesn't work, the car instead just blows warm air, I can hear the fan working (The AC was working when I bought hte car though).

    Could it be that it ran out of coolant? Not sure how the AC system on the Prius should be treated as.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    prius a/c should be done at dealer or hybrid specialty shoppe only. it's a high voltage electric compression and takes special oil.
     
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  7. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    My father took a look at it, his guess is the compressor but a compressor is a $1,000+ repair after looking on these forums... how can I make a diagnoses, or eliminate possible culprits of the issue? I don't use the AC at all, but it is a nice amenity to have...

    ALSO - I am not sure about the grinding noise, should I just complete a full car checkup at a local Toyota Dealer? How much would it cost for the dealer to check it out?
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably $150. or so. i don't recall anyone here being able to diagnose a/c problems over the internet. but if you start a new thread, you'll probably get a lot of 'maybe it's this, or maybe it's that'.:p
     
  9. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    Yeah, it looks like it is a huge question mark. I'll probably start a new thread just because how dense the problem can be.

    I am wondering if I seriously should consider going to a Toyota Dealer though, its not that I don't trust my mechanic, but I figured they maybe would give me a clean, blunt response on what could be wrong with the car? I don't know. As far as I know, it drives fine, gets beyond the estimated MPG, except for that random grinding noise that comes and goes when accelerating really fast, and now an added AC not blowing cold air.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    any good hybrid shoppes in your area?
     
    #30 bisco, Aug 21, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2015
  11. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    Yeah, there are two, one of them is a regular mechanic who deals with Taxi hybrids, the other does a mix of all them, but is familiar with Hybrid.

    I live in the Seattle area, if anyone happens to know of any Prius mechanic around the area!
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    worth having them take a listen and chatting about the a/c.
     
  13. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    For some reason, my local auto shop didn't have the regular oil I purchase for the oil change on the Prius this weekend, so I am going to visit a mechanic, and have him change it, apparently it is $35, the oil and filter itself rounds up to ~$30. I will have him check out the AC, alignment, and grinding noise.

    I finally got my mic though, will post a video either tonight or tomorrow, hopefully that can help get a better diagnosis of what is going on with it.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i pay around $70.-80. for an oil change i think.
     
  15. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    O.O what kind of oil/filter are you using?
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mobil one and probably a mobil filter if they make one. i have a good mech at the local mobil station. he owns the place and is easy to talk to.
     
  17. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    So just an update here, I changed the oil, and got the AC stuff taken care of, but here is the catch:

    The mechanic thinks that the grinding noise is the wheel bearing, and he said he sees that it is kind of weak, but the noise itself shouldn't be serious, but if it becomes persistent or starts becoming a real physical nuisance to the driving capabilities of the car, I should just bring it in.

    As for the AC, he originally thought the compressor was out, bu than he dug deeper and when he lifted the car, somehow the hose was just bent, he thinks that either the previous owner, or maybe when I was driving the car, either we hit some weird bump, or something got caught underneath it (like a big branch or something of the like) and it just dragged against it to a point where the hose just bent. He but some elbow grease and put it back in shape, and he refilled the car with freon, and the AC blows cold air again.

    He charged $35 for the oil change, $85 for the freon/AC stuff. The total he is asked for was $130, he agreed on $125. Not sure if this was asking for too much... I originally thought that maybe I could've refilled the AC myself once he put the hose back in shape?

    Anywho - I also didn't get the alignment fix as his machine has broke and he needs to wait over a week for him to get a replacement as they are expensive, so I might consider going elsewhere.

    So here are my questions: The Wheel bearing, any thing I can do to possibly "Tighten" it or such? And secondly, just out of general curiosity, is that AC/freon pricing fair to you guys?