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Engine Problem

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Daniel Weiner, Jan 14, 2013.

  1. Daniel Weiner

    Daniel Weiner New Member

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    2007 Prius
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    I apologize in advance if this should be attached to another thread... I've seen others about engine knocking, but none exactly that I thought fit.

    My wife has a 2007 Prius with 71K miles. It was in an accident shortly after she got it, but it's been running fine for the last 5+ years. Over thanksgiving, our nanny borrowed car and on trip, left a light on killing the auxilliary battery. This was replaced by AAA. When she returned, we asked her to have the dealer look at battery, and they changed it again.

    Somewhere around that time, the engine starting having a knocking noise. Sorry - can't describe it more. My wife also said that going up hills, the car performed poorly. We had it to the dealer again in mid-December, and they wanted to download data from the computer and send to Toyota in CA. We called several times, but they said they had not gotten a response.

    And then last week, the car kind of died while she was driving on the freeway. (Red PROBLEM! light on the screen, couldn't get car above 30mph). Was towed to dealership. Initial tech thought everything was fine; the supervisor agreed that the car didn't seem right but didn't have a diagnosis.

    Today we are told it's that the knock sensor is continually trying to adjust the engine because it senses the knock. There was also some measurement that had to do something with engine timing that is supposed to be ~30 degrees, and ours is -25 degrees. We were offered these options:

    a) engine overhaul - take apart, see what's wrong, put back together: estimated $3600
    b) short block replacement - some "bottom" parts, but all new: estimated $4500
    c) used engine replacement: estimated $2500

    My wife is exceedingly uncomfortable because we don't know the exact cause of the problem, although it seems that finding that out wouldn't happen without disassembling the engine. Is that right? It's especially frustrating since the car seems not that old - 5.5 years - and is not that far out of warranty. Aaargh. Are these the best options? Should there have been more useful diagnostic information to come from the car computer?
     
    #1 Daniel Weiner, Jan 14, 2013
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  2. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I would get a second opinion from another dealer or an independent shop. It doesn't sound right to me. I've never heard of this.

    PS: What were the diagnostic codes?
     
    #2 usnavystgc, Jan 14, 2013
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  3. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Definitely another opinion. Possible timing chain knocking? Cat converter plugged or did someone run it low on oil. It should still be cover on waranty? That is part of the hybrid system is it not? Check your waranty manual. H
     
    #3 HaroldW, Jan 14, 2013
  4. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    A good independent shop with areal engine mechanic on staff would be best. A good competent engine mechanic can tell a lot by what it sounds like, where the sound is coming from (a stethoscope helps) and under what conditions it makes the sound.

    A used oil analysis might also give some clues as to what if anything is beating itself to death.

    Harold's question on someone possibly running it low on oil is a good one to consider.
     
    #4 xs650, Jan 14, 2013
  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    The dealer sounds fishy. Is it a Toyota Dealer? Pull the codes and post for a master mechanic to make an opinion. Check your drivetrain warranty? Get a second opinion is a definate.
     
    #5 JMD, Jan 14, 2013
  6. Paras

    Paras New Member

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    Hello, sounds identical to the problem I had with my Prius in Greece. What did you do after all? Did you find out what was the fault? My dealer after a month of totally wrong remedies finally sent it to advanced technical team in Athens and they need to overhaul the engine which costs a lot! I looked at previous records and noticed that a month or so before the problem appeared I took it in with problems in performance. They diagnosed for the first time in the 7 years I have this car that the oil was burned but they just filled it up and gave it back to me... Please share your final experience and outcome with this issue. Thank you.
     
    #6 Paras, Mar 31, 2013
  7. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    How much oil is it consuming Paras? Perhaps the oil burning has caused carbon build up in one or more cylinders and that's causing pre-ignition.
     
    #7 uart, Mar 31, 2013
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