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2008 Prius losing while accelerating power. No codes

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Autodidactic, Jun 16, 2021.

  1. Autodidactic

    Autodidactic New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2021
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    Location:
    Fort Worth, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    My 2008 Prius keeps losing power intermittently while accelerating. I'll hit the gas and then maybe a second later after it's started gaining speed it'll stop for a second before going again. It use to only happen once in a while at high speeds (90+) but yesterday it started doing it at normal highway speeds, no codes or dash lights came on. I have a craftsman code reader I keep hooked up to it and used it to check live data while driving. RPMs dropped when it cut out, also watched them get as high as 5k while going around 65mph. Set cruise control to maintain speed at 65 and it stopped cutting out and RPMs returned to normal. When I got home I parked and floored it to see if it would do it just sitting in the driveway and it wouldn't. Driveway test couldn't get RPMs above 2500 but I don't know what's normal for that

    I recently replaced the inverter cooling pump with a new aftermarket one. Battery was replaced with a Toyota OEM version about a year ago. When I replaced the coolant pump I took it to a hybrid mechanic to read the codes and do some other things and he said there was codes for the transmission he'd never seen before, all he works on is gen II Priuses and said he'd never seen a transmission go bad and not to worry about it. Could that be it? Help?

    Other possibly helpful info:
    Car has 275k miles on it.
    Engine burns oil like crazy (I'm talking 4qts per 1000 miles. Not leaking, burning)
    I just had an oil change two days before.
    It was over 100° out, coolant temp read about 200° on my scanner. I usually only drive at night and early morning because of my job and today was the first day I drove it in heat like this.
    Car had sat for a week while I was on vacation but I've been driving it for a few days since being back with no issue until now.
     
    Figster10 likes this.
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,897
    4,418
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The amount of oil you're burning is probably the issue... And engine that burns that much will stop spinning for good very soon. The good news is low mileage Prius engines are less than $500... Just gotta find a way to save money on labor charges to put it in. Maybe you and a friend can do it like these dudes did in one night:
     
  3. Figster10

    Figster10 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2019
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    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm having the exact same issue. I'm curious what you found as for some reason it drains the battery on the freeway. No codes either and I've replaced inverter, hybrid battery, mass air flow sensor and checked throttle body. I've noticed damage on my radiator shroud which I'll maybe swap out this weekend. The Temps to battery sensors always go 125 degrees and acts weird. Also, coolant hoses to hybrid system get super hot which isn't normal. Let me because I always work on these things and I have like 8 I'm going to mess around with to figure it out.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
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    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If you have another Gen2, then I suggest you record some data from the battery ecu on your problem car then compare it to data from a "good" car and see what's different. Drive both on the same road and at same speeds. Look at temps, amps, voltages, SOC, engine speeds, etc.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
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    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Your rings are shot and engine has no compression compounded by clogged cat from all the oil burning.
     
    Figster10 likes this.
  6. Figster10

    Figster10 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2019
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    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I was looking into that and had plans to just disconnect the cat and try to run it like that for a couple of minutes hopefully notice a difference. I've only had it for like a year with the burning oil issue and cheap cat I would think it would last longer or is that enough time to plug up a cheap cat?
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.