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2010 Knocking and Thunking on Idle - with video/audio

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Purrius, Sep 17, 2022.

  1. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    This has happened twice in the last week when I start it. I've owned the car for it's entire life.
    Car has approximately 170k miles and original battery. It's my delivery work car, so it gets turned on and off frequently. (The low tyre pressure is new, and likely from the temperature dropping out here.)

    Video with Audio

    I'm going to bring it to my shop, but if I can give the discussion suggestions, it might cut down labor time so I can afford the repair.

    Thank you for reading, I appreciate it.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I don't see anything lit up on your dash I don't even know if I'm seeing any of your dash I don't know what this video I do see the battery no the econo mode and all that but are there lights on on the dash the red triangle any amber lights I don't care about the TPMS or tire pressure light the other lights check engine red or amber triangle any of that going on You're in the area of head gasket failure for this model and this kind of mileage but this is a stretch at this point because that noise sounds pretty consistent almost like the air conditioning compressor or something for it to be making a noise like that it doesn't sound like a piston skirt has cracked or falling away into the pan but it's possible a lot of possibilities they're going to have the car live so they'll be able to put a stethoscope on it and check things really read codes and all that here we would just be speculating wildly speculating probably
     
  3. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The sound in the video sounds "slightly" off, a very fast-paced buzz with a bit of modulation. The more typical cold-start shake is very alarming, slower/harsher. That said:

    Has the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system ever been cleaned (including the EGR passages on intake)? This is best done by 100K at the lastest. Carbon inexorably builds up in the system, thwarting it's design purpose, which is to reduce emissions AND temper combustion chamber temperature.

    My 2 cents: neglecting to do this will lead to head gasket failure. 150~200K miles is the danger zone. Usually at the adjoining wall between cylinders one and two.

    There are a few places in the states that'll do it effectively and for reasonable price. Tampa Hybrids in Florida, and Hybrid Pit in California are two I've heard of here. Both charge around $600~700 IIRC. Other'n that: DIY is typically the way to do this.

    Dealerships are typically the LAST place to consider: they will not clean things, only replace. That is usually completely unecessary, and entails around a grand worth of new parts. Plus multi-hour labour rates.

    More info in first of my signature. If you're on a phone turn it to landscape orientation (horizontal) to see sig's.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Sep 18, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2022
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  5. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    It hasn't been cleaned, but @NutzAboutBolts did the video I think you recommended and it looks fairly straightforward. I do know I can make a 20 minute job last 3 hours though. So here's hoping I get it, haha.

    Thanks for the detailed reply!
     
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  6. fil100

    fil100 Junior Member

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    I did it on my 2009 model, not an easy task. Hardest part to get out is the egr cooler, and especially the lower bolt. Its deep under it. It took at least 3 hours. I just replaced it. New oem costs about 200. Also clean the intake manifold, replace pcv valve and clean carburetor while you´re at it.
     
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    What is it doing when you have this noise? Is it shaking the engine? Does it sound like metal to metal? Does it go away pretty quick and run good the rest of the day?
     
  8. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    Currently I'm not sure what triggers it. I believe it's been two or three times now that I'll get in the car like normal, turn it on like normal, and it'll make this sound. When I shifted into the drive it usually stops. And then it won't do it for a little while until it randomly does. I do deliveries for a living so it gets turned on and off quite often, might that have something to do with it?
     
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Likely a head gasket caused misfire.
     
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  10. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    I realize now that I received the class action lawsuit card that says there's an inverter defect with my vehicle. Is it possible that's what's going on?
     
  11. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    I actually just remembered that I'm part of a class action lawsuit with Toyota regarding a defective inverters. Perhaps that's what's going on?
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The lower nut (screws onto stud) can be removed any time. I would do that in advance, and leave it off. Backing out the stud can be done too, and again, left off. The latter requires E8 socket, and with cramped quarters, a lot of patience and care.
    This trumps all the EGR cleaning, needs to be diagnosed first.
     
  13. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    I left it at the mechanics today, and included notes with everyone's suggestions. Here's hoping we find something that's cheap to fix, because otherwise I'll be daily driving my Miata for a while.
     
  14. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    Update: still in the shop, and so far still no idea what's up.
     
  15. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Is it a Toyota dealer or an independent Prius experienced shop? If it is not one or the other, mechanics are often confused.
     
  16. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    There aren't any Prius expert shops locally, unfortunately, and the dealerships I've gone to out here are extremely shady and I wouldn't trust them with my car again. Last time they didn't fix the problem, but damaged it and still charged me. (I had to pay them or they wouldn't give it back.)

    Edit: this is however the same shop I've been going to for about 4 years. So they're pretty familiar with this model at least.
     
  17. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    Update: I brought the car to a different dealership then before after my other shop recommended it because they couldn't pinpoint the issue. (They didn't charge me.)

    I gave the dealership all the info from here and the videos I did with the sound.

    So far they're charging me $165 trying to replicate the noise, but as far as I know, they've not pulled anything apart to look at what was recommended here. So I'm still without my car. :(
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if they can't pinpoint it, i would clean the egr circuit and see how it behaves.

    most dealerships don't understand the egr problem, because toyota refuses to fess up in a technical bulletin.

    your mech should certainly know how to test for a bad head gasket
     
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  19. Purrius

    Purrius Junior Member

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    Yeah, I hope they checked for the heads gasket issue. They haven't been listening to me much, and keep texting asking for the exact same info. It's confusing.

    I think I'll have to pay the bill, take 'er home, and try to do the egr thing myself. They seem adverse to trying each time I've mentioned it.
     
  20. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The only effective test of an early stage head gasket is a borescope inspection after pressurizing the coolant for a period of time. Requires a high quality borescope capable of seeing the head gasket in the cylinder while looking for very slow drops of coolant. Traditional coolant combustion gas detectors, compression or leakdown testing will leave them dazed and confused. Otherwise you drive it until it gets worse, risking a bent connecting rod.

    The egr can't fix the problem. It is extremely questionable if a clean egr can prevent it. Has not worked pre or post symptoms for many. It is a good thing to do during a hg job or as a feel good activity.
     
    #20 rjparker, Oct 9, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2022