my turn for a diagnostic

Oh, crap. 48,000 km and not a single problem. Two months after the warranty runs out, I've got a problem. (It's gotta be programmed into the ECU, right?) We found out the roadside assistance has also expired, so we now have BCAA instead. My wife drove the car about 700km over the weekend with no trouble, and phoned me half way to the grocery store this morning, saying there was something wrong with the car. She described it as 'like driving on a gravel road' and 'there's a light on the dash - sort of a lumpy thing'. I had her get out and check the tires, which seemed fine, but then she said there was an odd smell, too. So, I borrowed the neighbour's car and rode off to the rescue. Turns out it's the check engine light, not a good sign, and the engine is shaking noisily. It went away when I stepped on the gas, and of course when the engine shut off. Not wanting to risk it, we had it towed to the nearest dealer, and left the keys in a drop box with a note to call us tomorrow. So, it's already in good hands, I trust, but I'm curious to know what the possibilities are. Any ideas?

 

These cars don't still use vacuum hoses, do they? I didn't see any escaped fluids or clouds of steam from the exhaust.

Further discussion reveals hearing a loud 'klunk' yesterday on the way home. Had I known that earlier, I would have taken a much closer look underneath. Life just gets better. :mellow:

 

Thanks for the replies. I haven't given you much to go on, but that's all I know at this point. I really hope it's something minor, and I'm trying not to think of worst-case scenarios. The tow truck driver said he'd never towed a Prius before, so that's good. I'll let you know what transpires when I've heard from the dealer.

 

Here's the latest, just in. Two coils, two spark plugs. Three hundred bucks parts and labour. Two months out of warranty? Too bad. :angry:

 

I already checked the 'please return parts' box on the drop-off form, and turned down their offer to change the oil. (I just did it in June with Mobil 1) I told the service writer I wasn't happy, not that it was his fault, and that I would be writing a letter to Toyota Canada. All the same, I'm kinda kicking myself for not taking the car in for a final checkup just before the warranty expired. Live and learn. But thanks for the help - pretty amazing I can get an accurate diagnosis on the internet within 20 minutes, on a Sunday afternoon in football season, no less.

 

The car's home, $135 in emergency roadside assistance and $340 in repairs later. I have two rusty plugs and two coils, one with rust at the base and another covered in crud. The story was a misfire in cylinders 1 and 2 because of water ingress. Warranty or not, Toyota, this should not happen. A car that isn't allowed out in the rain isn't much good around here.