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Engine noise & front left suspension GEN II

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Battery driven, Feb 10, 2016.

  1. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    - Excess vibration, rocking when engine starts, stops, or accelerate.

    I decided to make an old school test with moving off with parking brake and open bonnet.
    As you know this ain't easy with Prius, but I somehow managed. My brother observed and agreed that engine was rocking excessively. At least this confirms a problem with engine mount but how do I find which engine mount is bad, as I really want to avoid repairs by Toyota dealer. They are just to expensive, particularly the parts, which I could source cheaper elsewhere. Usually I am quite good with repairing my car but this seems a bit more complicated, especially as it consists removing inverter and therefore I'll probably choose independent mechanic.

    - Front left side bottom and top of suspension noise, when driving over speed bumps, pots or entering/exiting driveway. It feels very wobbly like a very bad shock absorber Also there is a quite loud rubbing noise present when braking and car get slight pull to the left.

    Despite all the works listed below the problem still persists. Suspension was checked by two mechanics and they say ''all is tight''.
    Both front shock absorbers were replaced (right had to be replaced again because of the leak).
    New roll bar bushes, new brake pads, new brake discs.
     
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    You should be able to tell which way engine is rocking. Especially if you look at the engine while somebody with E-brake (and chocks) changes between Drive and Reverse (you can even do this while holding a bit of accelerator).

    If engine rocks sideways (or forward and back on one side) it’s the side (transaxle or engine mount) that moves more that’s the problem.
    If it rocks (rotates a bit) it’s the rear mount (it's rear under the engine) or it’s normal (it should of course rock a bit).
    Have you checked other Priuses?
     
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  3. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply.
    I've test driven similar aged one at the dealers and theirs was fine.
    I will do this again tomorrow. Where do I find a list/diagram with model numbers and location of the mounts you quoted.
     
  4. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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  5. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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  6. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    I tried again and can't figure which mount is faulty. It does rock up/down under slight angle. I made a short video and can't find ways to upload it. I am not into YouTube etc.
    It's only petrol side of the engine which rocks.

    Looking at the video I believe it won't help to diagnose the issue.
     
    #6 Battery driven, Feb 11, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2016
  7. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    If engine moves a lot more than transaxle then it is right mount (the one that’s near drive belt) that’s faulty.
     
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  8. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    I've been told by a garage, that it will be best to replace them all, once the inverter is removed.
    And altogether seems very expensive as it takes 6 hours of labour. Parts aren't cheap too unless sourced non original.
     
  9. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    If it moved more on the engine side than on transaxle side then it’s engine side mount. It shouldn’t be hard to replace. And you could probably even install used part or fix the old one with glue.
     
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  10. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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  11. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    The weren't sure which one is damaged but have noticed excessive movement when comparing with another Prius engine.
    I probably could replace them by myself however I am a bit worried about inverter removal. Although it can't be a rocket science.