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2013 Prius 3, ~ 60k miles, flat spot on acceleration, comes and goes.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by chuckiechan, Sep 2, 2019.

  1. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Every now and then I get a flat spot during acceleration much like a car with a vacuum leak, but then it goes away for awhile and comes back. By flat spot I mean like when you step on the gas you feel a bit of a stumble.

    It has happened twice now, a week apart. Same Costco gas, same gas station.

    I did a visual inspection (without removing anything) and found nothing loose or disconnected.

    No trouble lights are on.

    Ideas?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've never thought of that, but yeah, maybe it is? How many miles on it? Assuming average miles on a 2013, it's probably time to remove the intake manifold, clean everything out. That process hopefully should dispel any minor intake vacuum leaks. For sure clean the EGR passageways too. Further on the EGR:

    Turn your attention to the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) Pipe/Valve/Cooler. The pipe (stainless steel tube between intake manifold and EGR valve, on driver's side of engine) is by far the easiest to access, and once you look at the inside of that you'll have some idea what the rest will be like. Carbon build-up is the issue.

    And then, Oil Catch Can?

    Watch @NutzAboutBolts videos, pinned in 3rd gen Maintenance Sub-Forum.

    Good thread:

    EGR & Intake Manifold Clean Results | PriusChat

    Another:

    Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at any typical speed?
     
  4. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Its 60k miles, and it only seem to happen when you accelerate like from a stop sign or going around a corner. But sometimes it’s fine.

    It’s a mystery. But I don’t feel like handing Toyota my check book to find a hard to repeat fault.
     
  5. varun singh

    varun singh Member

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    I have watched some YouTube videos on showing live diagnostics to trace a hard to repeat problem, maybe you can try it out to trace it
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've heard spray WD40 around suspected vacuum leak areas, listen for engine stumble. Basically if air is sucking in somewhere, it draws the WD40 in, causes a stumble. Sounds messy though. Maybe you could use something cleaner, some spray with non-combustible gas, that doesn't make a mess but alters the idle??
     
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  7. High Mileage

    High Mileage Active Member

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    Chuckiechan, I would suggest that it is most likely an issue with EGR passages based on your description. It is also possible it could be a spark related issue due to low coil output for a single cylinder or a spark plug that is carbon tracking, but at 60K miles that is a little early for a spark plug. Since the stumble doesn't last very long at this point the misfire detection logic probably can't see it yet, but if it gets worse you should get a check engine light with a misfire code.
    I would suggest that the individual EGR passages in the intake manifold may be starting to plug. When this happens the passages that are restricted the most receive the least amount of recirculated exhaust gas, and typically the one least restricted gets more exhaust gas than it needs or wants.
    The EGR system was designed to reduce combustion temperatures by introducing "dead air" that slows the combustion flame front. The recirculated exhaust gas dilutes the fuel air mixture in the cylinder and makes the flame search around the cylinder to find the fuel to burn. If you introduce too much EGR gases into the cylinder then the flame has a hard time finding the fuel and the engine misfires.
    If it was me I would start by removing the intake manifold and cleaning all the passages. Even if this doesn't fix the issue, your not wasting your time as this is something that should be done at this point. Take note of how each passage looks. The one least plugged is getting more EGR than it should and should be the cylinder that is misfiring.
    If this cleaning doesn't fix the issue you have a choice to wait and see if the problem gets worse and helps you out by flagging a code, or start looking at the ignition system.
    In my opinion a vacuum leak can't cause the symptom you are describing. Vacuum leaks that are large enough to cause a misfire or stumble will be loud enough to hear and typically cause a high idle. If you really think it could be a vacuum leak then search the web for "Vacuum leak propane enrichment". This is how we safely looked for vacuum leaks when I was a tech.
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  9. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    It has not re occurred since I posted this, so I guess the gremlins went home. As rare as it is now a days, I’m going to suspect bad gas or something.

    Thanks for all your help!
     
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  10. Feed up Phil

    Feed up Phil New Member

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    I had/have the same problem. I call it a delay in acceleration. Do you notice that the hybrid system is not functioning normally when your experience this vacuum, like the car does not go into electric mode when it should or that engine holds higher RPMs than it should when your foot is off the accelerator? I've taken it to the dealership several times, they don't believe me or care. it's funny to see all the suggestions from people on here when the dealership had no thoughts at all.


     
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  11. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    I have not noticed that. So far all is well.
     
  12. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Update. Cleaned entire egr system, added plugs. Can gas (Costco) go stale in two-three weeks. It seems to happen in very hot weather > 100 ish.
    This tells me the MAF squad is not reporting to the injector squad properly. :)
    BUT. I’m just trying to sell a good, solid reliable used car.
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    “It” being the original flat-spot-on-acceleration issue?
    Doubt it. 3 to 6 months, from what I’ve read. Ethanol spiked gas (virtually all) is more prone.
     
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  14. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Yes we have ethanol blend, and “boutique” gas. I suspect boutique is the culprit, and it is a bunch of compromises that probably fails in hot weather.