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

Engine rattling / shaking after filling from spare fuel tank - P3191

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by jamesprius, May 16, 2020.

  1. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Wow 3rd thread about engine rattling in the last 3 days.

    Prius has been sitting for awhile. It just ran fine two weeks ago.

    I did a dumb thing -- found a gallon of spare fuel lying around in the house. Decided to fill the prius with it.

    Now after starting the engine rattles / shakes. I usually shut if off immediately.

    After the 3rd time I got the triangle of death and a P3191.

    I'm not sure if it's it's because it's been sitting, most likely it's because of me adding the extra fuel.

    Could it be possible I somehow damaged the fuel pump or changed the fuel pressure somehow? Should I try to bleed the fuel lines?
     
  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
    it could have been bad fuel? might have to flush the system, i don't know. or it could be completely unrelated coincidence. what are you reading the codes with?
    maybe start by cleaning the throttle body
     
  3. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    It could be maybe a little of debris? I just filled the gallon yesterday, turned on car to check the fuel level, but did not start. Today it started doing this.
    I'm just using a regular OBDII reader.
    I could try cleaning the throttle body.
     
  4. Nelsonprius

    Nelsonprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    72
    14
    0
    Location:
    Nelson, BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Same thing happened to my car, filled with 1.5 yr old gas in container, car wouldn't run. Spark plugs fouled with a thin slime. Drained tank and fuel system, filled with premium and running smoothly since. Gas containers must be used before the colder winter months of same year filled, don't use old gas in spring
     
    jamesprius likes this.
  5. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Glad I'm not the only one who tried to use old fuel :)

    Thanks for another thing to try.

    It looks like you're in really cold climate. In Bay Area, CA it doesn't snow, but once a while it goes to near zero.

    Did you replace the spark plugs also?
     
  6. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Are my posts getting blocked?
     
  7. Nelsonprius

    Nelsonprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    72
    14
    0
    Location:
    Nelson, BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Yes
     
  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
    nope
     
  9. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    ok, i think my first posts were flagged since i have a new account.
     
  10. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    There was some dust on the throttle plate and inside the body. Cleaned it a bit. Also cleaned the maf sensor since it was right there.

    Put it back together, tried to turn it over and found the 12v was dead, lol.

    Going to have it charged tomorrow to see if this helped.
     
    bisco likes this.
  11. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Well I charged the battery, but no go. It's still shaking/shuddering, and noticed a repetitive clicking noise also like from something rotating like a belt.

    I guess all I can do is try to drain the fuel. I was looking around, looks like prius has some anti siphon mechanism so that method is gone.

    I was searching around, it looks like you have to:

    1) remove the back seat
    2) break the seal on the fuel pump
    3) disconnect the fuel line somwhere and attach a hose
    4) apply voltage from the 12v without blowing myself up to activate the fuel pump

    Does anyone have an easier way or specific steps on how to do this?
     
  12. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Actually looking at other threads, it may be possible to just short on of the jumpers in the fuse box instead of opening up the back to get to the fuel pump?

    Nelson how did you drain yours?
     
  13. Nelsonprius

    Nelsonprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    72
    14
    0
    Location:
    Nelson, BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I didn't mechanic did, I assume from opening fuel line at engine and letting the pump empty it with power
     
  14. Q*bertZ

    Q*bertZ Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    155
    38
    0
    Location:
    greenville south Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The fuel pump does not operate unless the engine is turning around. Just turning the key to the on position does not turn on the fuel pump.
    disconnect the fuel line by the front right of the fuel tank (under back right passenger door) put an oil pan under it. try to start the car. If no gas comes out the fuel pump is bad. If gas does come out check it for water.
     
  15. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Hi Qbert,

    Won't the engine stop with no fuel if you disconnect? I need to drain the entire tank.
     
  16. Josey

    Josey Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2019
    287
    108
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Why is it so f'ing hard to just find the technical meaning of a P3191? Someone out there has the FSM. When I say technical meaning, I mean what specific conditions does the computer see in order to set it?

    The internet gets worse and worse the more it's about selling sh** rather than being open access to information. Toyota doesn't help with its proprietary "take it to the dealer who doesn't know sh** but will charge you out the a** anyway" strategy.

    FWIW, I don't have this code on my '03. But when I do I'd think it should just be easy to find out what it means other than the the ICE isn't "performing" as it should. Duh.
     
  17. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Seriously. if it can be diagnosed by a human, then a computer should be able diagnose it also. Throwing a generic code isn't really helpful.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    doesn't the service manual help?
     
  19. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    is there one to download?
     
  20. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    105
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Is this the fuel line?
     

    Attached Files: