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Prius C hydraulic or solid valve lifters?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by iceman13, Mar 2, 2019.

  1. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    Does the Prius C have solid or hydraulic lifters? Can’t seem to find any info. Thanks.
     
    #1 iceman13, Mar 2, 2019
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The info's in the repair manual. The 1NZ engine uses select-sized solid buckets. There are about 35 sizes to choose from depending on what is needed to make the right clearance.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Mar 2, 2019
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  3. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    I just found that the Prius C has an updated 1NZ-FXE engine. Also read that the 1NZ changes to hydraulic lifters since 2004 but I don’t seem to confirm that with another source. My issue is that I’m getting lifter sound for about 2-3 seconds in the morning and after driving I get it again if I let the car off for more than an hour. I have always used 0w-20 Mobil 1 and always change it between 7500-8500 miles. Just changed the oil yesterday and driven about 100 miles only. I still get the lifter noise. Tomorrow I’m going to remove some oil and add Marvel Mystery Oil since I’ve been reading that it does wonders with stuck lifters. Do you have any other ideas? It has 65,000 miles.
     
    #3 iceman13, Mar 2, 2019
  4. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    This morning before adding the MMO I started it up just because I was curious to see how it sounded and to my surprise I heard no lifter noise. I posponed adding the MMO for now.
    Also I would like to argue that I’m almost 100% sure this 1NZ has hydraulic lifters. My reasoning is based on the fact that the tapping goes away in a few seconds, if it had worn solid lifters the tapping would not go away like that. So most likely my engine had some sticking lifters and the fresh oil is beginning to resolve the issue. Now, I’m really intrigued about why this happened, the oil only had 7,450 miles, 0w-20 M1 Advanced Fuel Economy with a M1 Extended Performance oil filter. It makes no sense, and the car only has about 65,000mi. I would love someone to comment about this.
     
    #4 iceman13, Mar 3, 2019
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Really! That would be great if true. Maybe I'm guilty of extrapolating from my Gen 1's 1NZ when I shouldn't have.

    ... but wait, I have a 2004 New Car Features manual that I sure don't remember seeing that mentioned in....
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Mar 3, 2019
  6. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    Hmm.... Hopefully someone else can chip in and confirm if the 1NZ really changed to hydraulic lifters at some point.
     
    #6 iceman13, Mar 3, 2019
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    From edthefox5's valve-train photos thread, still looks like the same select-fit solid lifter system I knew and didn't love in my Gen 1....

    [​IMG]
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Mar 4, 2019
  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You are making a HUGE assumption here. The noise might not be lifters at all.

    Not that it applies in this case but..........in about 1965, I completely rebuilt the lifters, push rods and rocker arms in a '283 chevy engine because of a "tapping" noise.
    The noise did not go away.
    Turns out the noise was coming from a broken spring in the fuel pump. :(

    Both my Prii have done that occasionally too......after sitting for a few days.
    I'm not worried about it.
     
    #8 sam spade 2, Mar 4, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2019
  9. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    This car just likes to complain about being started when it's cold outside... once she's warmed up and moving, she quits complaining.
     
    #9 ztanos, Mar 4, 2019
  10. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    If what I was hearing wasn’t lifters noise then I have no idea what it was. It definitely was coming from the top end. I got to the conclusion it should be the lifters because of past experiences with other cars and because my dad is a retired mechanic whom I was always bothering with questions .
    It’s a very characteristic tapping sound. The thing is it disappeared completely after about 100 miles since the oil change. If it doesn’t have hydraulic lifters then I can only think about the solid lifter sticking somehow because of some varnish, if that is even possible with a solid lifter. Maybe I should just enjoy the high MPGs and stop worrying so much, I’m used to old Volvos and Saabs that I was constantly fixing stuff. .
     
    #10 iceman13, Mar 4, 2019
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    BINGO.
    There is a difference between being vigilant and being paranoid.

    The oil can "drain down" while sitting and make all kinds of parts "complain" when first started.
     
    #11 sam spade 2, Mar 4, 2019
  12. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    I'm fairly certain it's lifters. Mine does the same thing. I've read of many others complaining. As long as it goes away after a few seconds, you should be fine.
     
    #12 ztanos, Mar 5, 2019
  13. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    Since I never added the Marvel Mystery Oil to the engine oil I added 4oz, per the instructions, to the gas tank and filled it up. I have to say, I’m somewhat impressed with the results. I’ve been averaging 59mpg in the same daily trip I was previously doing 52 mpg average tops. The ICE also seems to rev up smoother than before. It might just be a placebo effect but who knows.
     
    #13 iceman13, Mar 5, 2019
  14. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You need to continue your test longer.
    Including STOPPING the use of MMO after a while to see what that does.

    MMO is a good product......for some things.
    There are advantages to using a top cylinder lube in with the gas, but the result should be nowhere near what you think you have seen.
     
    #14 sam spade 2, Mar 5, 2019
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  15. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    Will do, still have 28oz in the bottle .
     
    #15 iceman13, Mar 5, 2019
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