Intermittent knocking sound from engine, 2012 Prius v

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lsp61, Oct 1, 2017.

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  1. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    My 2012 Prius v, which has done about 47,000 km, has intermittently developed a knocking sound when the IC engine is idle, or while driving at a low speed (under 30 km/h). The sound disappears on driving the car a few hundred meters and usually does not reoccur for several months. The appearance of the sound is not related to ambient temperature. It now occurred on 4 occasions in the last 12 months. The local Toyota dealership, who regularly service the car, have not been able to find any fault. I have never had any other problem with the car and consistently travel100 km on 5.0 to 5.5 litres.

    I was able to record the sound yesterday, but cannot post the video with the knocking sound, as I have not posted 4 messages yet. Hopefully I will be able to do so after 4 posts.

    I would appreciate any suggestions/pointers as to what the problem could be.
     
    #1 lsp61, Oct 1, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that is going to be difficult to find. the engine is off, so you have ruled that out?
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 1, 2017
  3. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    Thanks Bisco! The knocking occurs at low speeds, or when the car is stationary and the IC engine is idling. But as I said, it has only happened 4 times and the engine sounds fine in between these occasions. I live in Melbourne, Australia and the temperature ranges from 5-40 degrees C. The knocking sound has occurred during the cooler months, but it has not been particularly cold.
     
    #3 lsp61, Oct 1, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the engine only idles when stationary in the warm up stages, yes?
     
    #4 bisco, Oct 1, 2017
  5. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    That is correct!
     
    #5 lsp61, Oct 1, 2017
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you using the recommended engine oil?
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 1, 2017
  7. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Are you feeling OK ?

    NO, it can "idle" at other times too.

    I'm not sure which models are affected but some Prius engines tend to knock at startup sometimes; particularly when they have been sitting unused for long periods, maybe only a few days, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

    When we were shopping to replace my C, a salesman started up a new one......and it knocked LOUDLY for a LONG time. He was duly embarrassed.

    There are threads on here about it. If the search is working you might even be able to find them.
     
    #7 Sam Spade, Oct 1, 2017
  8. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    Yes I am. It is being serviced by the local Toyota dealer as per the log book.
     
    #8 lsp61, Oct 1, 2017
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  9. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    #9 lsp61, Oct 1, 2017
  10. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    My first two sentences were directed at BISCO.......who I quoted.
     
    #10 Sam Spade, Oct 1, 2017
  11. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    Sorry, I was responding to bisco's question regarding engine oil.
     
    #11 lsp61, Oct 1, 2017
  12. Tbkilb01

    Tbkilb01 Active Member

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    Search "engine rattle"
     
    #12 Tbkilb01, Oct 1, 2017
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  13. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    #13 tvpierce, Oct 3, 2017
  14. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    Not sure why the audio was missing from that clip. Try this link https://goo.gl/q9FJJq
     
    #14 lsp61, Oct 3, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2017
  15. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    404. That’s an error.

    The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know.
     
    #15 Air_Boss, Oct 3, 2017
  16. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    Sorry about that! The first link (https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zn1EJ869Si3XyhDC3) works. You have to play the video by clicking on the play button in the top right hand corner of the video. Until then the video appears as a GIF, without the audio.
     
    #16 lsp61, Oct 3, 2017
  17. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    You have to play the video (https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zn1EJ869Si3XyhDC3) by clicking on the play button in the top right hand corner of the video. Until then the video appears as a GIF, without the audio.
     
    #17 lsp61, Oct 3, 2017
  18. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Yep, that's a protracted case of "engine shake"/"engine chatter" at startup. Usually is a once-off or very infrequent, suggested to be due to unburned fuel remaining after shut-down.

    But this example sounds more like a Honda VTEC engine going into limp mode due to the oil passages of the VTEC solenoid being dirty.
     
    #18 Air_Boss, Oct 4, 2017
  19. lsp61

    lsp61 Junior Member

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    Thanks for your assessment. Would appreciate your advice on what exactly I should get the service center to check/clean at the next scheduled service (in 30 days time)?
     
    #19 lsp61, Oct 4, 2017
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you ever start the car, move it a short distance, and shut it down with the engine running, such as moving it from the garage to the driveway or street, and etc?
     
    #20 bisco, Oct 4, 2017
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