Not to be too dramatic -- that title wording just came to me, but ... on a number of occasions recently when I start my 2013 Prius (150K miles), after the initial battery start, when the engine first turns over, it rattles and vibrates for a moment, and sounds awful down there (like a death rattle), and then it reverts back to normal and drives fine. This has always happened first thing in the morning, maybe 3-4 times in the past month, maybe when it's been colder, though it's not gotten below the 30s-40's here in NH. It's concerning me, not sure how a dealer would troubleshoot this kind of intermittent problem. Does this engine noise/fart issue ring a bell with anyone? Thanks a bunch!
I've seen exact same thing twice in the last couple months, both times I noticed that the shown battery level was at 1-2 bars at start. I already know I have a weak hybrid battery, so I'm thinking its related. Lately the charge had been 4+ bars always, but I'll have to try depleting the battery and let it sit abit to see if I can recreate it.
might be hard to diagnose at this stage of the game, have you cleaned the egr circuit? keep an eye on oil and coolant. if it gets worse, consider a head gasket test.
You don't come here much? First thing in the morning, after a good drive the day before: 1. Remove wipers, wiper motor/linkage and cowl. (see video #13 here) 2. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs (When reinstalling, spark plug torque spec on reinstall is 13 ft/lb with clean/dry threads, you'll need a 14 mm or 9/16" spark plug socket) 3. If possible, remove engine coolant reservoir cap, and install gizmo to pressurize cooling system (to accelerate possible coolant leakage) 4. Run borescope down each spark plug hole, looking for evidence of coolant seeping past head gasket into cylinder(s). It's best to have a borescope capable of looking "over it's shoulder". You're looking for exceptionally clean looking piston tops (evidence of coolant steaming off crud), and tears of coolant forming and running down from the head gasket seam. Has the EGR system ever been cleaned? Info on head gasket and EGR in my signature. (on a phone turn it landscape to see signatures)
Very common early head gasket leak. Diagnose quickly and repair to avoid an engine replacement. Car Care Nut HG Borescope at 660s Block egr flow test to rule out sticking open egr. Even if egr if sticking it won't cause severe rattling that quickly clears for the rest of the day. At about 10:15 in the video he starts talking about the egr valve letting "air" into the intake manifold. He means exhaust gasses.
Thanks for your reply. Clearly I have a head gasket problem, just got a P0301 error code also. But I don't work on my car. I'm going in to the dealer today to get a diagnosis. Do you have any advise for me dealing with the dealer? What steps they should take before telling me I need a head gasket replacement? Thanks.
Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I've only come here when I've had an issue or concern with my Prius, and fortunately they have been few and far between. But clearly I've got a head gasket problem now. Just got a P0301 error code also. I don't work on my car myself. Going to the dealer for a diagnosis. Any advise you can give me to tell them to do is appreciated, or what I should be careful of in dealing with them. Thanks.
p0301 indicates misfire on cylinder one. It’s the cylinder where the coolant leaks usually start. Dealership will likely be very expensive, $4~5 USD region, for head gasket replacement, They make advocate to swap in a salvage engine. They don’t stoop to clean EGR, will tell you it’s ok if no code, offer to just replace components, and those parts are about a grand. not sure who else is doing head gasket in Seattle. There’s Gasket Masters in San Francisco, theyre cheap, and fast, but quality and after sale service can be dicey. to be fair: salvage engine IS worth considering, it’s somewhat overkill, and a gamble, but sometimes expedient.
