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Very quiet engine knock? + video clip

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Grit, Sep 25, 2017.

  1. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Is it normal for the prius engine to sound like this? Not loud knocks like 'Service Bulletin for Engine Knocking at Startup T-SB 0012-10' but clicking, coming from near water pump.

    2012 Prius Four solar + HUD options
    84k on engine
    78 gasoline
    11 mile daily commute (2 hwy miles)
    3k til engine oil change
    No ATF has ever been drain + refilled
    Water pump never changed

    Few things to point out, temp dropped to 55 degree overnight. Last gas trip- 3 gallons of 78 gasoline at another place for 20 cent cheaper. Everything else such as driving pattern, MPGs & etc has stayed the same.

    Any help will greatly appreciated, thanks.
     
  2. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Sounds normal. I use 91. Is that supposed to be 87, not "78"? What oil weight are you using?
     
  3. PRI6080

    PRI6080 Junior Member

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    Sounds normal to me.
     
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Thanks for helping

    Toyota 0-20
     
  5. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    If the anti-knock rating is 78, there might be knocking, but you’re in NA so I don’t know where one would get such fuel. I think the manual notes 87 (regular unleaded) as minimum.

    I installed a high flow aftermarket filter. (For some reason I can’t remember the brand at the moment). Engine sounds like it breathes better. (If you trust their filtering abilities it might help with the noise).
     
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    What oil is being used? Might try another brand or blend and see what happens.
     
  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Crap I meant 76 gasoline top tier brand not 78, sorry about that.

    Haven't changed engine filter yet, bought car from Carmax which filter was fine before buying. Not dark, not clogged or brown yet, it's been driven 2000 miles since I bought it.

    No signs of mpg loss it either. car gets a 30mph drive for 10 mins before getting in highway so no rapid acceleration during mornings.

    Hope someone can also go to their Prius and compare their engine to the sound mine is making. I have a feeling this could be the normal sound and I'm just being too critical of this.


    Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.
     
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  8. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    2010 with 143k miles. Yours sounds good/normal. These things are sewing machines.
     
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  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    From what toyota's website said using VIN # lookup, it's been changed with toyota 0-20w on all maintaince from previous owner in toyota dealership.
     
  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Thanks for looking into this with me. I've dumped a bottle techron fuel injector cleaner in the tank last week and been pushing the pedal driving under power mode to flush it through the fuel injectors. Don't know anyone in my social circle (lack there of) that owns a gen 3 prius to do a compare.
     
  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Come to the next meetup and you can have multiple Gen3s to compare against;).

    Sounds normal to me though (y).
     
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  12. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Yes, these engines don't purr. Is that oil on the mount to the left/behind the dipstick (in OP video, at about 15-16 s)? Shouldn't be there.