Prius making a noise...is this normal??? Also, need advice!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nards @ Jun 8 2007, 08:55 AM) [snapback]457896[/snapback]</div>

If that's the level of knowledge their best Prius technician has, I'd definitely go elsewhere for servicing. That statement is complete BS, makes me wonder about the other things they told you about the car.

The sound is probably normal though, for the reason noted by the previous poster. Probably, because without really hearing the sound, we're just guessing. Best thing is to find another Prius and compare the sound.

 

Is this a Toyota certified used car with a limited warranty? Some people have had thermos coolant pumps die a screaming death (bearings in the electric pump) and others have had water valve problems (the valve that determines which way the coolant flows). Use the Search button at the top of every page to research these issues.

If there's a warranty that covers these issues, it sounds like a good deal. But that's pure BS about the ICE and motors syncing.

 

In my '05 the only "no normal car" sounds I have is some small ticking for maybe a second. Not engine ticks, it sounds like the ticking a gas stove makes while it trying to ignite. It happens when I turn the car on and off. I know it completely normal for the car. The other odd sound I heard when I first bought the car was a whine sound after the car was off, which lasted around 30 seconds. Come to find out it was the coolant pump staying on, which was a nice feature, expecially on hot days.

I'd have to say the loud ticking your hearing is not normal. If it sounds like something is caught in the radiator fan, then I would have someone else look at it. Electric and gas motors dont sync. What would an electric motor have to sync with? It dosent have any belts or anything, its just an electric motor. I'd ask the technician that. And if he comes back with a remark about the gearbox (because it is a wierd one) tell him thats only when the car is in drive, not when it starts.

 

Take my advice, if it is not "certified" used you should avoid it. I am never ever buying a used car that isn't certified. Certified used comes will bring the warranty up to 100,000, it is well worth it on a used car regardless of manufacturer because you do not know everything about its history.

We just learned the hard way with a VW Beetle, we bought it 4 years old and after 1 1/2 years of ownership the transmission was shot, but we thought we saved by not buying one that was certified on a different lot, but after paying for a new tranny we paid more. Even if nothing happens the peace of mind may be worth the extra money.

The only case I can see for buying one that isn't certified is if you have the money to fix a major repair at any given moment, if it is an old car you are buying dirt cheap that if it were to break you just call the junk yard, or if you buy it from a GOOD friend or family member.

 

That issue with the aftermarket speakers and the window motors probably scares me the most. That could be something you'd have to monkey with the entire time you owned the car.

If something doesn't feel right, back out and forget about it. It seems that whenever I thought I saw a deal that I could never beat, a better option came along shortly thereafter.

I'd probably rather go for a car with more miles on the odometer than one that has questionable issues.

Keep in mind that a brand new one isn't ALL that much more, after the tax refund. After my refund, I'm hoping my '07 package #1 will come to around $17000.

Eric

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nards @ Jun 8 2007, 02:55 AM) [snapback]457896[/snapback]</div>

Hmmm... I wonder if that is the same sound I have noticed on my '06? The one I am referring to is NOT the coolant transfer (I know that sound), and comes from the ICE when starting up and lasts ~20 to 30 seconds (never timed it) the first time until the engine is adequated lubricated or warmed (I assume). I think it only happens when the car is cold. IMHO, it sounds like a chain, so I figured it might be the timing chain...? This is my first timing-chain car, my others had a belt, so I am not sure if this is 'normal' and I don't know anyone else with a Prius with which to compare.

I bought the car as a demo (6K KM), and it has made this sound since I bought it and since it has had no other symptoms over 14 months and 44K KM of driving, I have considered it 'normal'. Given the end of warranty quickly approaching, I should probably ask Toyota about it next time I'm there for an oil change; I just know they are going to tell me they don't hear anything abnormal... <sigh>

 

I bought mine before March 31 when the tax credits cut in half again. The Federal was about $1500 and there was a seperate one from the state. I ran some numbers and it should be about $4000 total. I hope it works out that way! You should get something from state taxes to add to that $787.

I got the dealer the beat another dealers "no haggle" price and got the price knocked down to about $21,500. They also had a 24 months at 0% then.

Before the Prius, I'd never had a car that was more than $3000, so I was set on buying used, but with the combination of all the offers and the price matching and incentives, I bit the bullet and got a new one. Resale value on Prii is very high, so used ones are often more than or close to the same as new ones. They often have different option packages, but the package 1 has everything I could ever use.


Eric

 

never mind

 

If the noise is most noticeable during a cold start-up and sounds like the noise in the attachment (listen for the noise that starts about about 9 seconds into the clip and lasts for about 6 seconds) then it's the coolant transfer pump (not to be confused with the inverter coolant pump). The noise is definitely not normal. The coolant transfer pump needs to be replaced.

 

I think I just heard Morse code for "Don't buy this car!"

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(biphnest @ Jun 9 2007, 12:20 AM) [snapback]458513[/snapback]</div>

Hmm... I definitely don't hear THAT sound! It is much more subtle, and something I generally can only hear if I am in a relatively quiet place, more so with the windows open. I am pretty sure I am just being overly analytical of something that is perfectly normal, but I just thought I'd mention it since someone else did so first.