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2010 Prius hesitates/jerks when ICE comes on

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by clay.free, Jun 23, 2020.

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  1. clay.free

    clay.free Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
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    III
    Hi all, I have a 2010 Prius, 230k miles. Recently, it has begun to jerk or hesitate when the ICE comes online. The issue is most frequent when I am feathering the accelerator at about 25 to 35 mph, but there have been instances that occured when I started from a dead stop. Highway driving is fine.

    I have no check engine light, but I haven't pulled codes yet. I have standard sockets and similar tools, and if this is something I can troubleshoot and even repair myself, that is my preference.

    Any similar experiences or ideas?
     
    #1 clay.free, Jun 23, 2020
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    I have the same issue, have to add more acceleration when the jerk occurs.230k miles
     
    #2 tankyuong, Jun 24, 2020
  3. clay.free

    clay.free Junior Member

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    III
    Yep, that's what I do when I can, and you're right, it alleviates (but does not resolve) the problem. It does sound like you're seeing the same thing. Have you done any troubleshooting to discover the cause? I rely on this vehicle, and there have been moments where this was serious enough that I felt it could put my car out of commission.
     
    #3 clay.free, Jun 24, 2020
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Pull the egr pipe, if you have a good layer of carbon, chances are you’ll have to pull the entire circuit and manifold for some fun filled cleaning.
     
    #4 Grit, Jun 24, 2020
  5. clay.free

    clay.free Junior Member

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    III
    Does the EGR cause all problems on this vehicle?? I pulled the intake manifold a while back and it was in good shape, but I hadn't gotten around to the EGR. I will take a look when I have some free time in the next couple of weeks. Thanks!
     
    #5 clay.free, Jun 25, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It does cause a lot of problems. Creating exhaust back pressure which could blow the head gasket.
    Are you loosing coolant?
    Investing in some tools to do preventive maintenance is worth the it because one repair from a mechanic
    would more than likely pay for the tools and some.
    Removing the egr is not really hard. Watch the video a few times and go slow.
     
    #6 ASRDogman, Jun 25, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. clay.free

    clay.free Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
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    III
    That's a good point; no problem with coolant thankfully.

    I may have been understated about the tools I do have...unless the job requires needlenose pliers with a 45 degree bend followed by a 90 degree bend that lock in the clamped position, I probably have something that will work I'm very capable of doing the job; I've just been putting it off.

    Thanks!
     
    #7 clay.free, Jun 25, 2020
    ASRDogman likes this.
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