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275k Sudden Onset Engine Trouble

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Brentstein01, Mar 1, 2019.

  1. Brentstein01

    Brentstein01 New Member

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    My wife and I have been very pleased with the reliability of our 2008 Prius with 275k. Granted, we bought it 14 months ago and have put a grueling 55k miles on it since.
    About a week ago I was doing 60mph when suddenly a clicking noise emitted from the engine. I thought "this is it.."
    The noise could be described as the winding noise of the old single use cameras, rpm dependent as well. No change when I unplug a coil - it stalls when any coils are removed.

    I initially expected engine failure but after scrubbing the forums it sounds like some form of misfire? It has been recently consuming oil, roughly 1qt every 5k...

    Additional symptoms: clicking/ticking happens anytime the motor is running. The hybrid battery wont charge until 1-2 miles into ANY trip, then charges normally. Hesitates a bit within those 1-2 miles.
    Mpg has dropped to 38

    I'd upload a video but it won't let me tonight, I'll try tomorrow.
     
    #1 Brentstein01, Mar 1, 2019
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    How low was the oil on the stick when you checked it after this incident?

    Given the age and miles, the hv battery could also be weakening, but the issues you describe are on the engine side of the equation.

    Once you have 5 posts, you can post the video;).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Mar 1, 2019
  3. Knightrider

    Knightrider Member

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    I am curious myself - I have a 320-350k car I am picking up and need to keep an eye for sure on oil consumption
     
    #3 Knightrider, Mar 1, 2019
  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Hmmmm.

    My first thought was that "sudden onset engine trouble" for a car with lunar mileage is like 'sudden onset arthritis' in an octogenarian but several items in your post give me pause to think that this might not be a horrible problem.

    -You seem to know your oil burn rate, and it's not bad.
    -You didn't mention that your car is spitting codes. (Check engine light)
    -You also didn't mention any fluid loss - something that I'm presuming that a driver who is monitoring their oil usage would have discovered by now.

    The clicks are interesting but I keyed in on the fuel efficiency.
    Presuming that this is a significant drop, and that it's sudden I might look for things like Mass Air Flow Sensor, and Throttle Body.
    You live in the frozen North and I just checked.
    It's 23-degrees and 'sunny' up there as I'm typing this.

    I'd be inefficient and noisy too!

    The clicking could also be anything from injector to loose plug to exhaust or even HVAC or belt.
    (I seem to remember that G2's have one.)
    Recheck fluids.

    Good Luck!
     
    #4 ETC(SS), Mar 1, 2019
  5. Brentstein01

    Brentstein01 New Member

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    Thanks for all the replies guys! I didnt mention, zero engine codes!
    I'll have to rack up a few posts so I can get a video in here. My mechanic thought its possibly a wrist pin or rod bearing. This weekend I'll attempt to push onto the pistons to see if there is any wiggling on the crank, indicating bearing failure.
    If this was internal mechanical damage, it should have blown by now! I've limped it about 100 miles through back roads, with AAA on speed dial.
    I'll look into the above mentioned parts and attempt to clean/replace them
     
    #5 Brentstein01, Mar 1, 2019
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Sounds like the brake actuator
     
    #6 bisco, Mar 1, 2019
  7. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    If it’s a wrist pin you will find out by a piston being thrown out of the block sometime in the future. Could it have been run out of oil before you bought it?
     
    #7 Skibob, Mar 1, 2019
  8. Brentstein01

    Brentstein01 New Member

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    Nope, I'm familiar with the barking/Turkey gobble noise that those make

    Skibob - It's possible that it's been ran low/dry before my ownership. I fully expect to be able to view the interior of the engine at some point in the near future. I really hope I dont, though. It does not appear to be getting better nor is it worse after doing the MAF and TB.
    Tomorrow I'll head to the junk yard and grab a set of injectors and see if that makes a difference.
     
    #8 Brentstein01, Mar 1, 2019
    Skibob likes this.
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    The buzzing noise changes with a leak or low 12v, sounds more like winding noise of old camera
     
    #9 bisco, Mar 2, 2019
  10. oil_burner

    oil_burner Active Member

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    could be anything, have a mechanic listen to it. Sounds like rod knock.
     
    #10 oil_burner, Mar 4, 2019
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