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Prius Gen 3 strange noise during slow acceleration

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GabrielD, Apr 29, 2021.

  1. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    I noticed a very strange noise, when accelerating slow, starting at 30 km/h and after 50 km/h is fading...
    Here is a small mp3, maybe someone can recognise from sound, and point me in the right direction...
    No DTC, nothing... I am planning a test drive with Techstream, but not sure what parameters to observe...
    Later edit, I uploaded here the files
     
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    No sound file...
     
  3. burebista

    burebista Active Member

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    Click on here in his post. :)
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no link on 'here'.

    edit, whoops wrong here. found it.:)

    i don't like downloading files though, so i can't hear here
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    FWIW I’ve often heard a buzz with our 2010, during moderate acceleration, just in a certain zone. Accelerate a little harder, or easier, it’s gone. Not sure what it is; have heard about loose coolant hose bracket, tried zip tying it, but no change. Maybe Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve partially opening, or something like that?
     
  6. burebista

    burebista Active Member

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    Come on guys, no need to download anything, you can play it directly.
    Screenshot_20210429_163455_com.android.chrome.jpg

    It's like a rattle noise.
     
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  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Given the choice between "save as an MP3 file and open deliberately in my chosen audio playing app that I know doesn't do anything but decode and play audio" or "have played for me by unknown javascript running in my browser from some web site", I'll go with download and deliberately play every time ....
     
  8. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Sounds like engine failure
     
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  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Possible wheel bearing
     
  10. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    Thank you for all responses, 100% noise coming from engine, not wheels...
    I learned how to "produce" it: it starts only after few minutes of drive, never on cold engine, and right now I will go to record live data during this noise...
     
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  11. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Sounds like it could be the electric motors but to hard to tell.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How many miles?
     
  13. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    Aprox. 130.000 miles...

    Btw, Techstream does not read and display this info for my car, but my friend with Auris (same engine) yes, using same laptop... could be something wrong?
     
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  14. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    I managed to record data from my Prius and my friend's Auris (same engine).
    I did compare the .TSE files and results are here (Current=Prius, Reference=Auris).
     

    Attached Files:

  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah, i was wondering why i couldn't hear the sound :oops:
     
  16. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    After a lot of studies, I found a very good procedure to follow in many cases engine is rattling...
    Just take out the EGR valve connector.
    I did this to my car, after I was sure I reproduce the error. After that, no more noise and shaking coming from engine...
    I started new test with Techstream, vehicle in parking, engine run, about 1400-1500 rpm.
    Started a test for EGR step position and around 30-35 step noise and shaking started to come. Continuing to open the EGR valve, about 45-50 steps defect disappears. I continued to fully open the valve, nothing noticeable...
    So, I am now 80 % sure the issue is in EGR valve area... First thing I will take out the valve to check if when Techstream says 0 step, valve is fully closed, than, visual check all the way long until fully open, at 110 steps...
     
  17. privilege

    privilege Active Member

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    sounds like a bad wheel bearing, worn axel splines, or slop in the drive train...

    but it could be a cabin vents (reeds) flopping in the breeze too

    hard to tell
     
  18. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    Thank you for your answer, but this sound is almost elucidated, as I wrote in post nr. 16.
    I took out EGR valve connector and the sound disappeared, for sure if it was wheel bearing, the noise where still produced...
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Get that Exhaust Gas Recirculation (and intake manifold) cleaned. At 130k the clogging will be well along. More info:

    Bad Flywheel | PriusChat
     
  20. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    not bad, I won’t even read so my replies are random answers
     
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