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Squeaking/squealing sound coming from engine

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by randommonks, Mar 30, 2017.

  1. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    I just noticed today a squeal that sounds almost like a cricket chip but is almost constant. It starts immediately when the car is moving and gets louder when the windows are down, so I suspect it's coming from the engine. I can hear it at highway speeds but it seems to be more intermittent than at lower speeds. It almost sounds like a belt is loose or something. I can hear it on electric and gas modes and stops when the car stops. The noise is just as noticeable from the passenger side so I don't think it could be coming from a single tire.

    The car is a 2013 Prius with around 41k miles. Oil change done every 10k miles, give or take 100 miles, and tires replaced a few months back when the car had around 37k miles. I have an appointment at the dealership in the morning for them to take a look at it. I'm crossing my fingers that it's something covered under warranty or at least an easy fix. Anyone have any clue what it could be?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you hear it with the engine running in park and the hood open?
     
  3. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    I've not been able to get the engine running while in park but will try to remember to listen for it when first starting up tomorrow.
     
  4. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Does THAT not rule/out the engine as a suspect?? .......
     
  5. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Sure does. If the engine is off, and you hear it....well there you go.

    I would suspect a squeaky strut or sway bar link. Nothing life threatening
     
  6. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Yeah I don't think it's from the engine anymore. I sat with the engine running first thing this morning and no squeak until the car started moving. I'm sitting at the dealership now waiting for them to diagnose.
     
  7. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Something with the brake system seems to be the culprit.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Is there a pulsation to it, does that go up/down with vehicle speed?

    I'm kinda thinking something with the driveshaft CV joint boots, or the oil seals where the driveshafts go into the transaxle. Just guessing though.
     
  9. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Ok well if anyone bet that it was a worn out wheel bearing- you win! I had to leave the car at the dealership overnight since they didn't have the part but I should get it back tomorrow morning. It was happily covered under the powertrain warranty and they didn't make me pay the diagnostic fee either.
     
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Doh! I was going to include bearing in my list, then thought better of it. :oops:
     
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  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    That's what they all say :whistle:
     
  12. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Nice!
    You got it early!
    I let my worn bearing go an entire year before turning to a grind, effecting MPG.
    Good thing the warranty is covering it (I replaced it myself....I imagine the dealer would charge at least $800)
     
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  13. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I wrote "wheel bearing" on a slip of paper (didn't have time to post) for my guess. If anyone doubts me, I can show you the piece of paper.
     
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  14. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Mendel, Mendel, we all depend on you!!!
     
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  15. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Poor girl is going back to the dealership tomorrow for a similar issue. This time, it sounds like a metal rubbing against metal noise when the car is moving and a very distinct metal grind squeal when turning left but no noise on a right turn. We'll see what the dealership comes up with this time. Any bets?
     
  16. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Apparently the dust shield on the rotor was tilted which was causing the noise. Spent an hour at the dealership and all noises have abated. For now....