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Misfire when engine first starts

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by matts8008, Feb 6, 2017.

  1. matts8008

    matts8008 New Member

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    2012 Prius v with 260k miles. Six times over the past year when starting up in the morning there is a brief misfire for about 5 seconds. No check engine light triggered.

    Then today, every time I am at idle or start the car I get a bad misfire for about 10 seconds then it goes away. Check engine light was triggered today (misfire cylinder 2).

    Any suggestions on where to start? I've never ha a misfire that goes away after a few seconds. Once it goes away everything runs fine.
     
    #1 matts8008, Feb 6, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    there should be a diagnostic trouble code associated with the misfire.
     
    #2 bisco, Feb 6, 2017
  3. matts8008

    matts8008 New Member

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    P0302 is the code
     
    #3 matts8008, Feb 6, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how are the spark plugs and accompanying parts?
     
    #4 bisco, Feb 6, 2017
  5. matts8008

    matts8008 New Member

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    Everything looks OK. I was hoping this was a common issue, but if not I'll start with plugs and wires and keep working until it's solved.
     
    #5 matts8008, Feb 6, 2017
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at 260k, i don't know what is common, but someone else may jump in with better advice. are you up to date on all maintenance?
     
    #6 bisco, Feb 6, 2017
  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    What is your history with the car? Original owner? If not, how long have you had it?

    What maintenance has been done: only by the book or some other things(PCV valve, egr pipe, etc)?
    Burning any oil?
    Consuming any coolant?
    With the misfire is there any engine hesitation?

    Keep us posted (y)
     
    #7 Raytheeagle, Feb 6, 2017
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  8. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Can we all stop for a second..... 260k on a 2012! Clapping for that!
     
    #8 Aaron Vitolins, Feb 6, 2017
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  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    It sounds like his engine is already clapping for him:eek:.

    Have you tried shifting components to another cylinder to see if the misfire follows the components?
     
    #9 Raytheeagle, Feb 6, 2017
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  10. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Good one^

    In all seriousness, my sister owns a 2010 Prius and she recently had a bad misfire on cylinder one. The whole car would violently shake when it was first stated. It was awful! Anyway, after changing the spark plugs (they were already new and we didn't know it) no difference noted. So she got on Amazon and orderd a new coil pack and slapped it on cylinder one and it's been smooth since!
     
    #10 Aaron Vitolins, Feb 6, 2017
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  11. matts8008

    matts8008 New Member

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    New plugs and coil, same problem.

    The oil and coolant look OK.

    Any other ideas before I have to transfer my entire 401k to the dealership?
     
    #11 matts8008, Feb 8, 2017
  12. matts8008

    matts8008 New Member

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    Minimal maintenance was done on the car before I got it a year ago at 240k miles. Not burning any oil or consuming coolant.

    Engine hesitates and car rumbles for about 5-10 seconds, then it's perfectly smooth until the engine stops again.
     
    #12 matts8008, Feb 8, 2017
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  13. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Try the erg pipe cleaning. These lean burn engines build up gunk and carbon unfortunately
     
    #13 Aaron Vitolins, Feb 8, 2017
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  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    This will tell you the next steps. If clogged or heavy deposits are found, I would then begin the intake manifold and egr valve cleaning. While there and removing the manifold, also worth doing the PCV valve, throttle body cleaning along with MAF sensor cleaning.

    If no deposits (highly unlikely), look to the fuel delivery system (low pressure on fuel delivery can also lead to a problem).

    Keep us posted (y).
     
    #14 Raytheeagle, Feb 8, 2017
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  15. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    Before you start throwing ....
    Have inspected fuel injection pulse.....coil pack's......
    Compression.....
    Maf sensor
    Throttle body stepper motor reading at idle...is it dirty....yes...no
    If yes entire Egr system need inspection
    Check spark plug gap
    Using specific tool to look inside combustion chambers are the burning of fuel is up to the specs...or shows carbon build
    If all of this check good go and check O2 sensors at idle and driving...partial throttle and full throttle readings......
    Once you have this all .....i would like pictures i will try at my best to give more definite answer


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #15 Samprocat, Feb 8, 2017
  16. matts8008

    matts8008 New Member

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    Update: I noticed today that the coolant level is down about 1" after driving the car 100 miles. Taking it in to test for a blown head gasket next week.
     
    #16 matts8008, Feb 10, 2017
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  17. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Any chance of an update regarding confirmation/cause? We're early days with this high mileage Gen 3 head gasket failure pattern. Any data we can get helps, thanks.
     
    #17 m.wynn, Mar 16, 2017
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