Pump Noise Has Changed

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HOVer @ Nov 20 2007, 12:26 PM) [snapback]542083[/snapback]</div>

Since purchasing my Prius last spring, mine has only made "the noise" once. My wife got in the car and said "what in the world was that sound". I said "this car makes all kinds of wierd sounds, probably normal". But now I know that if it starts doing it more I need to take it in. It hasn't really gotten cold here yet, maybe one minimum of 32F and even then it gets up to at least 65 in the day. However, Thanksgiving Day that's supposed to all change...

 

I don't think there is a real issue here. My 04, since day 1, has had a noisy thermos coolant pump when the weather is colder. Why? I don't know. But it still works, so I'm not going to get upset about it. Hydraulics and fluids assume different charistics with temperature changes. That's why it doesn't bother me. Who cares about stealth ... I care about MPGs.

Also, if you reported the problem before your warranty expired and your dealer recorded it into the system, Toyota will cover the repair.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(biphnest @ Nov 13 2007, 11:28 PM) [snapback]539262[/snapback]</div>

My pump was replaced 5 days ago and it now makes a very faint "hum" upon a cold start, and a somewhat louder "buzz" after shut down. Those are the noises it made up until 2 months ago.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(firepa63 @ Nov 20 2007, 12:34 PM) [snapback]542113[/snapback]</div>

Does it sound like the .wav file posted above? Kind of a stuttering noise like in the beginning of the B-52's song "Planet Claire"? Cause that's what mine sounds like and it seems to be getting worse.

Its definitely different than what it sounded like for the 1st 10k miles, but I would like to believe it is ok to ignore because I really don't want to waste any time at the dealer.

 

The one on mine is going, and it is bearings, I know that sound all too well. I had a drill that made that same horrible screech before it seized up. It had nothing to do with the temps either, it screeches at 65 just as bad at 35. It is almost where it makes the noise consistently, and when it does, to the shop it goes. Started wheezing at about 16000 miles.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ratlady @ Nov 20 2007, 01:36 PM) [snapback]542091[/snapback]</div>

Here's a thought, instead of ranting and raving, go to a different dealership, even if you need to drive 100 miles. Save yourself the headache. In fact find another dealer, call their service department and tell them your coolant pump is screeching and see what they have to say. I for one would not take that crap from a dealer, in fact that would be the last time I ever laid rubber in their driveway, and would let others know to stay away too. When you do find a dealership that treats you right, spread the word and tell others. For example, the place I got my Prius from, I had the MFD go wacky where nothing worked, took it in, and they worked on it for several hours and said it was the wiring harness to the radio. Well I happen to have installed the Ipod Dice unit and the actual cause of the problem was the Dice unit, but they didn't charge me for the repairs nor for the loaner car. I know it was the Dice unit as not soon after it happened again and this time I reached into the dash and disconnected the Dice, problem went away. They could have charged me several hours diagnostics and for the loaner, but they didn't. That right there is enough for me to return to them if I ever need service I cant do, or want to buy another car. Dealerships are a dime a dozen, its the good ones that stand out, it just takes time to find those good ones.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ACD @ Nov 22 2007, 12:09 AM) [snapback]542794[/snapback]</div>

wow, i bet that tech was unhappy...

no offense, but that kind of job is why techs have to upsell other stuff on the interval services to bring home any kind of paycheck. i hope the dealer at least gave him some kind of sympathy hours for that.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Nov 22 2007, 10:30 AM) [snapback]542904[/snapback]</div>

He didn't know the Dice caused it. He replaced the harness to the radio. I didn't know the dice did it either until a few months later when it happened again, and after discussing it here when it first happened and someone mentioned the Dice may have caused it I checked it out myself and sure enough, it was the dice

 

My coolant storage pump started making the exact same noise as in pump.wav when the car was 4 months old. It has continued almost every single time the pump runs, and the car is now 7 months from the end of the warranty. I'm moving early next month to the lower-48 and I plan on having it addressed once I get fully moved-in.

For the record, it's typically quieter when the pump is warm, and the pitch changes slightly depending on overall coolant temperature. The pump still works fine. It's obvious to me, though, that there's a flat-spotted bearing in there.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ACD @ Nov 23 2007, 02:34 PM) [snapback]543306[/snapback]</div>

aftermarket stuff sucks up so many di-ag hours that usually go unpaid. even if he did get paid warranty rate for replacing the harness, it sure didn't pay the "several hours" you cite it took them to find the issue.

just sayin'

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HOVer @ Nov 20 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]542083[/snapback]</div>

I too have notice my pump getting louder in the colder weather. Sort of what you described. Similar to a loose fan belt and bad bearings. When the car warms up it runs smoothly. So , I just think it's the cold weather. FishHawk I'm going to keep an ear to the noise and if it gets louder and stays on longer I'll bring it in for service.

 

I have a 2007 purchased in March...at about 7,000 miles it sounded alot like the .wav file. At 9,000 mi it sounds worse and occasionally after running the coolant temp (via scanguage) isn't far off from ambient vs the 90-120 it normally starts at, meaning it's not pumping.

:angry:

It looks like I'll need to take it in to the dealer.

Sounds like many are having this problem. I'm sure many more have the problem and aren't reporting it since the car makes all sorts of odd noises.

Unfortunately this problem means the number of repairs will go up, Toyota Prius reliability will be affected and there goes the resale value Well maybe that's a bit extreme

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ratlady @ Nov 13 2007, 11:58 AM) [snapback]538894[/snapback]</div>

I had exactly the same problem with my 2007 Prius. I took it to the dealer and they heard the sound. They contacted Toyota for assitance, who told them that the pump needed to be replaced (under warranty). Have you tried another Toyota dealer?

 

I'm so grateful for this site.

My 2006 starting producing this sound a couple of weeks ago(around 34,000 miles). It happens after turning off my vehicle from my 35 mile drive home from work.

It sounds just like the WAV file. I attempted to record it on my cell phone but didn't have any success.

 

Yup, I'm hearing this on mine, too. I have 6K miles on my 2007 Touring #6. This started about 3 weeks ago when the temps started down. I plan to visit the dealer and see how they handle it.

 

A random thought that I had on this subject:

The purpose of the coolent storage thermos is to lower emissions by preheating the cylinder head before a cold start. Therefore, I would argue, it should be covered under the emissions warrenty. Furthermore, this feature is one of the advanced features included in the AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology - Partial Zero Emission Vehicle), so shouldn't it be covered under the AT-PZEV warrenty in Calif and other CA emissions states?

Any thoughts on this?

 

My pump has stopped making the noise and I get plenty of heat. Perhaps it was adjusting to the cold . Just a thought. FishHawk

 

So, I assume the coolant pump is NOT covered by the Hybrid warranty; only by the basic & extended warranties?

My coolant pump has been making odd sounds for a number of months now, though it is not like that "morse code" sound. (Yikes!)

Rather, mine will sound 'normal' about half of the time at startup/shutdown, but a 'moaning sound' will come in & out during a pumping session. It occurs fairly consistently, when both warm or cold, but is expectedly louder when cold. Really does not sound healthy.

Of course, when I had it at the dealer, I asked them to look into it, and I got the predictable response "didn't hear any sound". (?) Sort of like how my car creaks if you rock it while parked (IMHO, something in the suspension needs lubrication), yet the dealer can't hear this sound either. I've already asked about that one on three separate visits.

To top it off, when I was trying to explain the pump noise to the service advisor, I got the "deer in the headlights" look as I explained how the coolant pump runs at startup & shutdown on the Prius. He said "our Prius tech is not here right now". Where is their basic competency with products they sell??? But I digress.......

The moral of the story is, I think I need to find a more competent dealer.

Venting over... I feel better now.

 

It depends on what the law in Canada/Ontario is. In California (and states adopting their clean air rules), any part of the system that helps contribute to its PZEV status gets an extended warranty up to 150,000 miles for most parts. Since it's still an emission related part, it is warranted up to 80,000 miles if purchased in any other state. If Ontario or Canada have rules like that, there is no reason the pump should not fall within an emissions warranty. You'd have to look in your warranty manual or ask for your full warranty from Toyota Canada.

 

Re: Me too - Pump Noise Has Changed - Galaxee/DH Help!

Well, I'll just add another 'me too' to the long list of responses shown to the thermos coolant pump. For a Toyota, seems to be a weak point on this version of the Prius.

My West Central Florida located 2006 (owned since new, 2 years, one month) with 63,000 miles (mostly highway) thermos coolant pump has recently started to make an intermittent 'fingernails on the chalkboard' screech occasionally on shutdown. Reminds me of the screeching sound some computer muffin fans make before complete bearing failure. Mostly in cold weather and after the first morning ride like other posters too.

A question for DH/Galaxee - I do most of the work on my automobiles when able, so is it difficult and/or does it require special tools to replace the pump? About how much time would it take for a first timer to replace? It would be great if I could get a dealer warranty replacement but with 63,000 miles I don't think that will happen. If the pump is only about $100 as alluded to from other posts, I'd just assume replace it myself.

Thanks,

Rick
2006 #4 with no mods (I even have my trim rings!)