Gen 2 (2009 Prius) - Noise Question

I heard you have to have a certain amount of posts before you can upload anything....maybe 5. So just keep replying and say something stupid and come up with 5 and then upload.

You can try describing the noise? When do you hear it?

 

I believe that's the coolant control valve problem.

 

The valve is supposed to allow fluid to flow to the coolant heat recovery canister, upon startup. Since your car is a 2009, fairly new, I would replace the valve.

Sometimes this issue can come up when you are low on coolant in your radiator. You can try adding coolant and see if that will solve your problem and the noise goes away.

If you do find that your radiator coolant is low (which you have to physically look by removing the radiator cap), then you'll have to find out why the fluid is low.

The correct fluid to add to the radiator is Toyota Super Long Life Coolant, which is pink in color.

What maintenance have you done on the car? How many miles do you have on it?

 

well you've done the necessary coolant change at 100,000 miles. If this was done recently, I would suspect that was the cause. But since it's been over 10,000 miles, it might just be a bad valve.

 

Geez, $150+. The dealers in your area are pricey.

Too bad you aren't getting CEL (Check Engine Light). I got my 3-way valve replaced under warranty. Maybe if yours comes on, you can get it under warranty too.
3 way coolant valve (DTC P1121), covered under CA 150k mile emission warranty | PriusChat

 

So did you service the car 4000 miles ago or 10000? If this has been happening for a few weeks and it's been 4000 miles since last service, the dealer may have not gotten all the air out.

Does your heater work?

 

Did you put fluid in the radiator by removing the metal radiator cap? The cap is covered by a black plastic cover, covering the front part of the engine.

Can you check if your heater works and generates heat?

 

yes, it's for you

 

That is not the radiator, that is the inverter coolant reservoir. There's another one like it for the engine side.....but that's not where we want to fill it. We want to fill directly into the radiator itself, not the reservoir.

You should still verify if the heating works.......it'll answer a lot of questions

 

The oil change is not the issue, the coolant service might be an issue if not done right.

 

do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. wait until it is cold or you will scald yourself and get coolant all over the place.
the coolant valve can be replaced pretty easily, but if cali has a 150k emissions warranty, you might be able to get the dealer to do it free.