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Engine Knock even after cleaning EGR pipe cooler

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Radiospank, Feb 28, 2021.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Looks like someone doused it with oven cleaner??
     
  2. Rocky Mountain Priusman

    Rocky Mountain Priusman Active Member

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    [QUOTE="
    hey guys, so I think I got fake spark plugs from China.[/QUOTE]

    I've been reading through this entire thread, and it looks like the cause of all your problems were fake spark plugs? Thats really good info to know.
     
  3. Radiospank

    Radiospank Member

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    I've been reading through this entire thread, and it looks like the cause of all your problems were fake spark plugs? Thats really good info to know.[/QUOTE]yea although this afternoon I started it up and it started to shake a bit which is odd because it usually starts up in the morning in cold weather like a champ now. I suspect there was condensation in the IM because the car was sitting for two days, hence the rough start this afternoon, but it went away as soon as I turned it off and on again.
     
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  4. Rocky Mountain Priusman

    Rocky Mountain Priusman Active Member

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    Keep us updated!

    My 2005 Prius was never kept in a garage. Started it more than a few times at -25 degrees Fareheit after it had sat outside all night, no real issues. When you start a car in weather that cold usually the cabin air fan squeals like crazy for about 30 seconds, even if it is on lowest setting. LCD screen also seems a bit slow but it all starts working pretty quickly.

    Anyways, kept it outside an started it in average winter temperatures of about 10-20 degrees F but frequently below 0 for 7 years. Never had a problem. Hope my 2010 can perform in the same way. Luckily I recently moved and have access to a carport. So it will still be outside in the cold every night but I can plug in the block heater which should help. I had the 2005 Prius plugged in for this winter's polar vortex so when I had to start it a few times at -33 degrees F it was like cranking it on a warm day.
     
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  5. Willy Toast

    Willy Toast Member

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    Checking the valve like that makes a lot of sense to me.
     
  6. AW82

    AW82 Member

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    yea although this afternoon I started it up and it started to shake a bit which is odd because it usually starts up in the morning in cold weather like a champ now. I suspect there was condensation in the IM because the car was sitting for two days, hence the rough start this afternoon, but it went away as soon as I turned it off and on again.[/QUOTE]

    Whew! I'm new to Prius world and have been doom scrolling the forums the last week or so. I'm glad I read all the way to the end of this thread and hope this really is the end of your troubles. I had adjusted valves on my CRV last year and put new plugs in the same time. They were legit ngk but one was defective. Until I figured that out I thought I had botched the valve adjustment!

    I'm hoping the same for my new old Prius. It'll be parked outside in Wisconsin. I'm planning to install a block heater, which I think will help attenuate the effects of all the short trips the car will be used for. I'm planning to get a smart outlet so I can set the heater on a timer. I'm wondering how long it'll need to get the car up to ideal startup temp when it's 0-10F.

    I think over 4 months

    I will be doing the repairs. I don't mind opening up the battery and swapping bad cells out. The problem is getting it from OH to NC.
     
    #86 AW82, Mar 22, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 23, 2021
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I find 2 hours brings it to a “plateau”, about 25C higher than ambient, but our winters are mild. In serious cold maybe 3 hours.

    REALLY secure the block heater cord securely in the grill. And use an extension cord that can pull out easy, cus sooner-or-later you WILL forget to unplug.

    The install is BARELY DIY doable, if you unbolt a wiring harness bracket or two, and push/cajole all adacent conduits out of the way, as hard as you can. Try from above AND below; for me from below got it done. Helped that I have 3 hands and eyes on stalks too.

    Hold off buttering up the heat element with hear transfer grease: get the element started into the hole first, then back it almost out, apply all the grease, then work it back in, with a twist as you go to avoid scraping it all off.
     
    #87 Mendel Leisk, Mar 23, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2021
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