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Bad Muffler?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by nitewolfgtr, Mar 24, 2009.

  1. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    I think I have a bad muffler...

    Whenever I drive my car, I have a loud but mellow noise coming from the rear. Could this be a sign of bad muffler?

    Also, can Prius take any generic muffler or does it have to be a specific muffler made for Prius?

    I have a 2001 Prius.
     
    #1 nitewolfgtr, Mar 24, 2009
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Probably you have a hole in the exhaust system. If the muffler is the problem you can buy the correct part for $223 MSRP (or $170 plus shipping from Champion Toyota.)
    Champion ToyotaWorld

    I'd recommend caution regarding the use of aftermarket exhaust parts due to fit and function issues.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Mar 24, 2009
  3. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    Does the muffler on prius typically go bad?
     
    #3 nitewolfgtr, Mar 24, 2009
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    No. I suggest you look under your car to see why it is making so much noise.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Mar 24, 2009
  5. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Another source to contact for Prius parts/reasonable prices is MetroTPN in Cleveland

    (unpaid advertisement :)
     
    #5 tochatihu, Mar 24, 2009
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Check the web but a standard test for a bad muffler is while the engine is running (you may need to turn on MAX AC,) is to hold a wad of cloth to block the exhaust and listen for exhaust gas leaking ... a hissing sound. Be safe and wear gloves too ... NOT PLASTIC GLOVES!

    I'll be interested in what you discover.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #6 bwilson4web, Mar 26, 2009
  7. nitewolfgtr

    nitewolfgtr Junior Member

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    I think it might be a bad rear wheel bearing. I had my exhaust checked by a mechanic and he said everything looks fine.

    When I'm driving, I hear humming and roaring sound from the rear. The noise gets louder as I drive faster. I can hear the noise whether my engine is running or not.
     
    #7 nitewolfgtr, Mar 27, 2009
  8. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    A new thread on wheel bearing checking has just been posted on PC. If you have a jack (ideally of slightly better quality than the included one), testing the rear wheels for free rotation is not hard at all.
     
    #8 tochatihu, Mar 27, 2009
  9. OldMage

    OldMage RWD Celica freak, Prius "collector"

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    Check the tread on the tires. Run your hand along the inner & outer "shoulders", both directions, to check for "feathering" or "cupping" of the tread. Feathering feels like 1 edge (leading or trailing) of the blocks is higher than the block next to it. Cupping is usually spread over a few blocks, and feels "wavy" (tread blocks are worn in a rising/falling pattern). Those would point to an alignment issue. Tires worn by bad alignment are often quite noisy.

    Try rotating your tires, see if it changes...
     
    #9 OldMage, Apr 6, 2009
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