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Clickity Clack Clack Noise on Cold Startup

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by mlibanio, Jan 6, 2010.

  1. mlibanio

    mlibanio Member

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    Hi everyone,
    I don't know what this noise is, but it happens every morning for the past week when its below -10 C outside. Engine fires up right away and smoothly, but then something under the hood makes a fairly loud "CLICK CLACK CLACK CLACK" sound then nothing. I hear it, but feel nothing inside the car, it runs very smoothly even during the noise. Outside its quite loud, but nothing at all to suggest something is wrong. No driveability issues even when its ice cold. No other issues at all! Any idea's? I have never heard before after all these years, or maybe never noticed. I would have thought being a G1 owner, that I have heard it all! HAHAHA! Thanks everyone for your input. PS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! WEALTH, HEALTH AND PROSPERITY TO US ALL!
     
    #1 mlibanio, Jan 6, 2010
  2. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    I'm a G2 owner, but I assume that noise was the car doing some sort of relay self-test. The G2 often does this right before the engine starts.
     
    #2 a_gray_prius, Jan 6, 2010
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  3. bc104

    bc104 Junior Member

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    To me this describes the sound of valve lifters clacking until the cold, thick oil gets pumped into the head. If this is indeed the problem, most likely any car would be doing this at -10C and the car has sat overnight. You may want to try a lower viscosity oil, such as Mobil 1 0W-30 Advanced Fuel Economy. Expensive but good, in my opinion.
     
    #3 bc104, Jan 6, 2010
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  4. mlibanio

    mlibanio Member

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    I bought some CD2 Engine Treatment, problem solved, I am guessing it was definitely the valves as you had suggested! Thanks for the advice! This morning she started up, and absolutely no noise at all! Today was -15C in Brampton, Ontario today! Thank you so much! FANTASTIC HELP and A LIFE SAVER!
     
    #4 mlibanio, Jan 7, 2010
  5. bc104

    bc104 Junior Member

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    Wow, that's cold! I'm glad it worked for you. It's a balmy 0.5C in NY. :p
     
    #5 bc104, Jan 7, 2010
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    That's not the valves, but the valve lifters. It commonly indicates that you may have low oil pressure either due to thick oil (are you using a synthetic - better low temp performance) or are low on oil.

    CD2 is an old sticky lifter remedy. It does work as mentioned above.

    JeffD
     
    #6 jdenenberg, Jan 7, 2010
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Amplifying that: what was the oil level, and what weight of oil is it?
     
    #7 richard schumacher, Jan 9, 2010
  8. ikklesmiler

    ikklesmiler New Member

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    my 04 had a clackerty noise on start up, it ended up being the water pump bearings gone.. had to get it replaced...

    get it checked just in case

    Ann Marie xx
     
    #8 ikklesmiler, Jan 10, 2010
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