1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Damaged undercarriage, Loud engine

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Johnsmith009, Feb 15, 2019.

  1. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    So let me start off by saying I really don't deserve this Prius. It's done so well against many of my mistakes and beginner driving. But I fear this time I may have done some damage.

    Long story short in order to avoid a collision I had to swerve to the right, landing me in a 3/4 meter high snow bank. In a panic, I quickly try to turn it in to maintenance mode. But it takes until I get out of it, with much veering, flooring and rocking, that I realize I've left the parking brake on (needs to be turned on for safety when activating maintenance mode) So I've already pulsed (throttle for second, let it die down) it up to 60km/h for about 2 minutes.

    Next, I'm thinking even though it was shallow and it didn't go over any noticable curb and I didn't hear or feel anything, I scraped the underside. It seemingly performs as normal, but any time combustion engine kicks in, it makes a consistent sound. Inside it sounds like a vague windy sound from the front right, but outside it sounds like a diesel. I drove home in as much electric mode as I could use.

    I don't have any way of getting underneath the car, but I tried to see what it was coming from and there's what seems to be two (potentially gaping/split) pieces of potentially vibrating metal.

    I'll see if I can attach the video I took (not very helpful, angles and focus are poor) but does anyone have any idea what I've done to my poor Prius? Maybe diagram of the underside so I can point out where it was coming from?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    maybe a hole in the exhaust pipe
     
  3. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    It seemed quite large, almost like a plate of metal
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    probably the protective plate over the catalytic converter
     
  5. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Sounds right... Would a damaged converter have any noticeable symptom?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    probably not immediately, but engine symptoms may arise, and inspection of course.
     
  7. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Next question; taking into account I drove it 20km with no issue other than sound, assuming the worst case damage (whatever that may be) based on these predictions, is it safe to drive another 10km to a toyota dealership?
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i think you are safe, a broken exhaust isn't a drivability problem. please let us know what it is when you find out. all the best!(y)
     
  9. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Thanks. I'll keep you posted.

    Here's the video, in case anyone is curious/can further identify.
    Sorry, I was in a rush to get home. The video itself is not very helpful.
    On re-listening, it almost sounds like its just metal rattling, no engine/exhaust.
     
    bisco likes this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    unless i'm mistaken, that is exhaust shielding
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  11. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Okay, as long as its not anything extremely critical. Thanks again, I'll keep you posted.
     
  12. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Ok! Mechanic showed me. Loose heat shield. They offered to put oversized washers on it but I opted for a new one since it looked pretty beat up anyway. They're taking it off for now since it's cold anyway and ordering a new one and attaching it next week.

    Thanks for the help!
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Maintenance Mode is like it's name, for maintenance. You risk some very expensive damage using it like this.
     
  14. Johnsmith009

    Johnsmith009 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2018
    124
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    How else do I disable traction control? I doubt I could've gotten it out without doing that.