Engine drone under load

congrats and welcome! have you checked the oil level since getting it back?

 

Also carefully inspect all of the air intake duct work to be sure it is snug and not damaged.
Also have a look at the air filter. If it is a non-oem type, put a stock one back in.

My C doesn't really do that but my Ford Fusion Hybrid makes a rather loud growl under acceleration and it comes from the air intake.

 

Following bisco's train of thought, many shops, including dealers, overfill the crankcase oil. This can lead to all sorts of problems, as you'll see if you do a search here. I'm not sure if an engine drone is one of them, but definitely check the oil.

The PCV valve may be fouled, and there may be excessive oil in the intake manifold.

Checking the air filter's a good idea.

I climb mountain grades nearly daily with my Prius and notice a definite change in pitch when the battery charge drops, but I'm sure you've noticed that before this oil change.

And as you put more miles on this car, be aware that many Gen 2s start consuming oil around 130K to 150K miles. This is normal, but it's important to keep an eye on that dipstick, say every other fuel fill up.

 

I noticed when I replaced the engine air filter with a cheapo knock off the intake got alot louder so buy a Toyota brand OEM air filter.

Then like everyone says check your oil as its probably overfilled by about a quart.

And 1000 miles a week is super super duty for any car much less the tiny motor Prius. Put only high quality oil in the motor not the vat crap you will get at a dealer which is the worst. That's the oil you get if you throw them the keys and have them go at it.

Keep your car away from the dealer.

Change the trans fluid.

And you car probably eats oil. Check the oil first thing in the morning before you start the car every few days till you get a handle on its consumption. Run a Prius real low on oil just once because you were not aware it eats oil and you will lunch the motor. You were not aware because the dealer does not check the oil before dumping it and then come out and say you were 2 quarts low.

Was a new motor/trans in your budget?

 

The PCV valve is easiest changed when you do spark plugs. You have to remove the relay block above the engine. It's not hard, just a pain to do for such a cheap and easy job as the PCV valve. My Bentley repair manual shows how to do it, but you can probably find instructions or a video on-line.

 

the only thing i don't like about the air filter design is the extra rectangle of rubber. seems like an easy place for a leak. they changed that on the gen 3.

 

On every forum like this you will find some people with interesting "far out" ideas. The post from Ed is a good example. ;-)

As for the air filter, that is exactly what you do NOT want to do.
A filter with a different flow restriction might upset the fuel system, make more noise and let in more fine dirt particles.

 

If it is a pleated paper filter it's probably OK.

And your occasional noise is probably nothing to worry about.
As was mentioned in another post, the engine sound will change depending on engine load.
Going uphill or accelerating with a low charge in the battery will probably sound different.
The load on the air conditioner might sound different.
There is a fan to ventilate the battery; it adds a bit of it's own noise.
On and on........

 

Whats so far out about warning a guy thats going to drive the crap out of his car to check the oil freq as the dealer will never tell you your almost out of oil when you bring it in. Run a g2 Prius real low on oil once and it will damage the motor.

You've been on this site 6 days and busting balls already.

 

Drones, Groans and GROWLS! I'm not a "hater", just observing and reporting.

My new 2016 Prius has it all. I've had it 9 months with 7000 miles driven, and it's not getting any quieter. I just figure it's a combination of a small four-cylinder engine & bad cabin sound insulation. I really don't mind, but I must say this is probably the noisiest small to midsize car I have ever owned.

I just drive it like a regular car. Normal smooth acceleration onto the freeway and you'll get a continuous GROWL. It also happens around town if I accelerate even slightly briskly. But that's OK, at least it breaks up the silent monotony occasionally. Just don't plan on having any conversations in my car, at any speeds above 50 mph. Even without the growl, the cabin noise alone will drive you nuts. (The drone/growl doesn't have anything to do with the battery level, as my battery is always near fully charged.)

Just another Prius Oddity...

 

I've had my UK 2010 Prius for 3 months and absolutely love it. I'm very grateful for all the tips and advice here to help get the most out of it.

I did have a couple of buzzes and creaks that I've managed to sort out. In the middle of the dashboard, I wedged a couple of small pieces of folded card to stop that particular creak. But the reason for posting here was the growl that was coming from the passenger side whenever I accelerated. It turns out the piece of plastic above the brake fluid reservoir hadn't been put back properly. Now the car is beautifully quiet!

Just something else to check anyway.



Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

One more thing to check: There's an air intake resonator under the right front fender. That often gets broken in a minor collisition. I've heard it doesn't do much even when it's intact, but it may be worth checking that too. It would have nothing to do with an oil change, though.

 

This is what you actually said.

My opinion is that most of the above is just wild speculation and isn't really helpful at all.

I am allowed to state my opinion, right........even when it doesn't match yours ??

 

What exactly is wild speculation to you in my post? And why are you the one that makes the decision if its helpful or not?

 

You may have come from a really nice car. What car? Since no dashboard alert lights the car is ok. I would check the tires. Try this as a test.
Fill all the tires up to 45 pounds and see how different the noise is. Then deflate the tires to 32 lbs and see what that does. If you notice big change in cabin/road noise maybe a new tire may help. You can then sell your new tires on Craigs List. I went through this one with another car. And it really helped.
As far as noise and ride quality I really like Kumho's. Nice quiet ride but life is not that great. Was worth it to me. Last tire I was talked into was a Goodyear Triple tread and there pretty noisey.

The G2 is very noisey. I have not driven a 2016 so don't know how bad it is. One thing I did on my G2 that really helped was apply sound deadener in the trunk well. It is peel and stick sheets you just cut up and apply and worked really well. The tire well is echoing and micro phonic and tends to amplify booming road noise

It is not a high end comfort car.