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Just did tune up and now I have white smoke? Please Help

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Sidewayzgt, Mar 5, 2017.

  1. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    I have 4 brand new oem coils coming tomorrow. I will post an update then
     
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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I don't think the coils are causing the white smoke problem.

    What did you use to clean the egr pipe? What parts did you clean? Did you use a spray cleaner and sprayed in the connecting ends of the pipe?
     
    #22 JC91006, Mar 5, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2017
  3. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    I did not use any cleaner, just a wet towel.
     
  4. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    Ok, I just installed the new coils and the issue is still present, just worse. The car did not want to turn over when I initially tried. I am finally getting a check engine light and codes P0351-0354 which is stating that all the coils are bad, which is now pointing to the ECU? When the car is started, it runs fine. The codes will not erase? Where do I go from here?
     
  5. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    the whole story here is bizarre. Are you sure you connected the coils correctly? what exactly dielectric grease did you use? can you wipe it off? what condition were the old plugs? picture?

    and BTW:
    [​IMG]
     
  6. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    I'm not getting a good feeling about this -- Toyota extended the Warranty on the EGR till the end of the month. Are you getting any codes? CEL?

    I'm not likening that it was not running correctly prior to all of this .. you should have taken the car for a checkup. Throwing parts is never a good idea.

    I think you have a head leak.
     
    #26 yeldogt, Mar 6, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2017
  7. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    Ok, the white smoke has dissipated tremendously and I think the car just needs to be driven to fully get rid of it. I am still getting the error codes P0351-54 and they still will not clear even know I unhooked the battery.

    If I let the engine sit for a minute and start the car, something in the motor will shake and then the idle will smooth out. If I turn it off and then start it again, the shaking will still be there just not as jerky. Sometimes it will start perfect with no noise.

    Question.
    On the left side of the motor there is a wheel that spins, it has belt ribs for a belt but there is no belt on it? Is that something for concern?
     
  8. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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  9. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    How are you reading the codes ? and why don't clear them with that reader. It's highly unlikely that all you coils failed at the same time -- especially since they don't fail very often.
     
  10. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    I have an Innova OBD II Scanner that is reading the codes. It says that they are being cleared but they come right back. I know that the coils are not all failing but what else can I check?
     
  11. Currahee

    Currahee Member

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    Isn't white smoke also from running lean (assuming we've eliminated coolant)? That's why I was thinking EGR. Or problems with the ECU adjusting fuel mix. Still pretty baffling that the CEL only just came on.
     
  12. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    Yes, I think you are correct. The EGR valve is very clean now so that is not the issue. I think this is still an electrical issue that is affecting the coils but I have run out of things to check?
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What about the EGR cooler, the component upstream of the EGR valve. If you remove the valve, you can shine a light into the cooler throat. It's internals are like a radiator, lots of passageways, and it can clogged.

    May or may not be part of your problem, just something to consider.
     

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  14. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    How would you clean that? Could that cause my issues?
     
  15. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    If it's giving you all 4 coils are bad, and the coils are brand new, I would suspect it would be an ECU problem.... if it was an EGR issue, there would be a check engine light...

    I would suggest bringing it to the dealership and have them diagnose it and have them replace the ECU if that is the issue.
     
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  16. Sidewayzgt

    Sidewayzgt Junior Member

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    Is there anything else that it could be beside the ECU? Everything else is fine with no check engine lights. The car drives fine, it is just the stupid starting Vibration/Rattling issue.
     
  17. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    The ECU controls the ignition coils... so I don't think so. I would just pay 110$ for the dealership to diagnose for you and then go from there. Sometimes it's best to have the dealership diagnose the problems and then fix it yourself if it's doable. That's what I would do if I was in a similar situation like yours.
     
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    IIRC @Raytheeagle has done that, and can answer your questions better. My thoughts, but I've never done it:

    1. Removing the bottom of windshield cowl, wipers, linkage and motor is almost mandatory.
    2. The cooler has multiple coolant lines connected, likely best to combine with a cooolant change.
    3. It can be a bear to to clean if it's clogged, best to buy a low mileage one first, and get it clean, before you start. Ray was using compressed air, wires and solvent??

    I've just had an epiphany: was Ray the Eagle the name of the brit underdog ski jumper??
     
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  19. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Hold on. Are you sure this is a Gen 3 car? It really sounds like you threw your water pump belt. (Wheel that spins and has belt ribs? White smoke?) :cry:
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's left side as you stand in front of the engine bay I think. And yeah: there's an unused pulley down there. I believe the engine is borrowed from Corolla, where the pulley does drive a belt.
     
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