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Intense Rattling when starting the car and ICE kicked in

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by goodMXguy, Dec 25, 2019.

  1. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    Christmas night. I did a short drive to a party (31 F degrees outside) parked. 3-4 hours later, the car made a very loud rattling sound that seemed as if a pipe from the exhaust was loose. Maybe on the driver side, maybe on the motor area... Not sure what it was. I did this 2-3 times for about 10 sec, but every time I turned the car off since I didn't know what it was. My wife says there was a little bit of burn smell, I am not sure, but I believe her.

    As I was trying to find the issue at 1 am, I found out that the exhaust pipe before the muffler, close to the middle-back of the car felt loose and easy to move upwards (towards the car). Downwards (towards the floor) didn't seem to have movement, however.

    So my questions are about how to diagnose and if the exhaust pipe before the muffler has some movement regularly or not. Is there any video from under the car anyone can point so I can use it as a reference? Possible solutions? No warning lights, but I didn't drive it with this sound.


    My car is a 2008 base model. 130 K miles. Oil change was done about 1000 miles ago, so I don't think it's related. Other not so recent maintenance was fuel injectors, spark plugs and the coil packs, air sensor cleaned (P0301 mystery occurrence | PriusChat). Has been good for more than 6 months until now.

    Happy Christmas everyone!
     
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Loud rattling could be:

    No engine oil or overfilled engine oil since you just changed it.

    Bad coil on plug. Sometimes when a cop goes bad it will make the engine sound like the engine is blown. Quite a racket. It will throw a misfire dtc and launch a code on the dash. Did u buy oem cops? Are the cop power plugs in all the way?

    Blown engine bottom bearings damaged. Have you ever ran the engine so low on oil it turned on the check engine light?

    No codes showing in dash it may just be something Loose but that’s not too common.go on YouTube and search. Prius inspection. It will instruct you on how to put the engine in inspection mode where it will idle continuously
    Till you shut it off very handy tool for engine noises. Get that going and withengine running get under the front of the car and listen for bad noises coming out of bottom of engine or anything rattling.

    Good luck.
     
  3. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Never say never and this just a WAG, but sounds like a misfire to me. And, that should, but does not always throw a code.

    Any car wash activity or heavy downpours that might have allowed water to seep into the ignition chamber?
     
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  4. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    - I will check the oil, but I don't think that is the culpid.
    -It could be a bad coil I guess. It didn't seem loose last night. I didn't use OEM I believe, but they have been OK for many months.
    - I will report back. Any idea about the exhaust pipes?
     
  5. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    - No car wash and it hasn't rain lately.
    - What's a WAG?
     
  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Wild Assumption Guess;).

    But a different word in the middle:).

    Got love acronyms(y) .
     
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  7. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Hats off to my translator!!

    Still sounds as if it may be a misfire. Pulling all plugs and checking them would be my first thing....but....I am old school.
     
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  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    When do you get to remove your dunce cap:whistle:?

    It’s been several years now, should be about time;).

    A perfect Christmas gift(y) .
     
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  9. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    I meant to post in another thread....
     
  10. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    I went back.

    Checked oil. Fine.
    Visual inspection. Fine.
    Pressed on the gas. Didn't help.
    Got a check engine light. P0037 – Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) 2, bank 1, heater control -circuit low .

    I will post video in a couple hours.
     
  11. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    Ok. Someone stole my catalytic converter. Apparently it's a thing. I live in Philadelphia and I was in a nice neighborhood... The street was a little isolated. Very sad. It may have also damage.my O2 sensor.

    Protect your catalytic converter | San Diego Reader
     
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    You were under there pushing on the exhaust pipe and never noticed the cat missing?
     
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  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Maybe certain things shouldn’t be done at 1 AM:oops:.

    Car diagnostics are one of them(y).
     
  14. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    Seriously???

    Jesus, on XMAS eve/morning???

    those f'n bastards!
    In the city of Brotherly Love.....wow
     
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  15. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Ugh. Chances are the sensor is missing, still installed in the pipe that was cut out with the cat. You're likely going to find clipped-off wires.

    If you have comprehensive coverage, this is probably the right time to use it.
     
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  16. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    I have no comprehensive coverage unfortunately. Apparently the sensor is missing as they cut quite close to where the bolts are.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/WE6yddX17KTWijZ27
    Didn't have a reason to know this part of my car. Do you know every part of your car?
     
  17. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    No comprehensive. It's missing the sensor for what I can tell.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/WE6yddX17KTWijZ27
     
  18. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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    I know. My happy holidays are ruined between a family death and this. Today was the day my wife and I had off together. We ended up towing the car, waiting for hours to and learning
    I know. Quite depressing. Not a very good Xmas. A recent family death also. No day off today between towing the car and waiting for the police to come write a report.
     
  19. goodMXguy

    goodMXguy Junior Member

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  20. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I can't vouch for the cat you've bought, never heard of that brand. Sometimes it's a cinch to bolt them on, other times they have to bend it and modify it because it wasn't made right in the first place. Another potential problem lies in where the thieves made the cut. They had no motivation to do a precise cut right at the start and end of the cat. If this part makes up the length of what's missing you should be set, but if not there would be extra parts and work needed. That's where you could catch a surprise increase, and it isn't the mechanic's fault.

    I'm a bit leery of no-name oxygen sensors. I don't know how sensitive the Prius is because I've never had to replace one in a Prius, but I've been through several other cars that just didn't run right until they had the real deal replacement sensor.

    I wish I could offer more reassurance, sorry. Fingers crossed!