1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Engine clatter on very cold start-up

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by JoelB, Jan 25, 2019.

  1. JoelB

    JoelB Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2019
    14
    5
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello all, Our weather forecast here in Minnesota is abysmal to say the least. As it's getting really cold I'm hearing a lot more engine noise on initial startup, only when the car is parked outside all day at work. After a little bit the engine noise goes back to normal. With temps as low as -23F next week I'm a bit concerned.

    Is this something other owners are seeing or is there something to be concerned about here? Mileage is getting lower but not terribly so.
     
    #1 JoelB, Jan 25, 2019
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    5,286
    4,226
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    What weight engine oil are you currently running?
     
    #2 SFO, Jan 25, 2019
    edthefox5 likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,920
    49,056
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    have you checked the oil level?

    how many miles on her?
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 25, 2019
    edthefox5 likes this.
  4. JoelB

    JoelB Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2019
    14
    5
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It’s got 5w30 synthetic with about 50 miles on it. Level is good, slightly high if I’m honest.
     
    #4 JoelB, Jan 25, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  5. JoelB

    JoelB Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2019
    14
    5
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Oh and it’s got 116k miles currently.
     
    #5 JoelB, Jan 25, 2019
  6. kens97uber171

    kens97uber171 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2018
    177
    132
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You might throw some Seafoam or Marvel mystery oil in it.. maybe a bit too thick on the oil.
    Also.. you can get some rattle from the transmission when it's cold too.
    Also.. if you have a bad spark or coil failing. A slight misfire will make a hell of a racket... The misfire causes gear slop in the trans to bang back and forth making a rattling noise.
    Good luck.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 kens97uber171, Jan 25, 2019
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I would got to Walmart and buy 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 0-20 for $24.95 and install that asap. Your car takes 3.5 quarts with a new filter.

    30 weight may be too thick for that temp.
     
    #7 edthefox5, Jan 25, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2019
  8. TomB985

    TomB985 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    137
    67
    0
    Location:
    Isanti, MN
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My normal lives in the garage, but I was in a hotel last night so we got to start cold at -16° this morning. It was definitely noisier than usual, but I believe most of that was a very aggressive warm-up strategy that raised RPM significantly higher than usual as I drove. Mine has always been louder when cold, just like every other engine I’ve owned while living up north.

    0W20 is better at these temperatures, but the recommended 5W-30 won’t hurt anything.
     
    #8 TomB985, Jan 25, 2019
  9. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,496
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    -23?, -16? I’m glad I live in California. The natives here complain when it gets to freezing.
     
    #9 Skibob, Jan 28, 2019
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)