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Violent shaking, not sure what to do!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Blvcklabels, Jul 9, 2021.

  1. Blvcklabels

    Blvcklabels New Member

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    Hi guys, so this has been rattling my brain for almost a week now. I drive full time for Uber and this is my only car so it’s at a point where I need to fix it or sell it.

    the problem: about a week ago, while doing Uber, the car started violently shaking when the ICE kicked in. It’s smooths itself out after about 5 seconds, sometimes longer. I received two codes (P0302, P0304). After switching coils and the codes didn’t change, I replaced the spark plugs. Codes went away, the shaking did not. On the 4th of July, I noticed the high coolant temperature light flashed, then came on. Thinking it’s nothing for a 243k mile car, I ignored it as it went away. It would continue to pop up every once in awhile. Then later that afternoon, I noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. When I opened it, I found out that the t-connection that unites the two coolant return hoses to the main hose going back to the reservoir failed. I replaced it, and the issue didn’t go away. I eventually received a new code for P0117, at which I replaced the ECT sensor next to the EGR. No luck. Found out there’s a second ECT sensor and replaced that, code goes away. Overheating light does not. I do recall the shaking going away or being not as noticeable during this time. So I went and bought a used water pump (I don’t have much money since I haven’t been able to drive for almost a week), and the overheating issue went away, but the violent shaking is back.

    would it be safe to assume that the water pump is the cause of the violent shaking and if I buy a new one (I don’t want to waste $280 after just spending $100) that it will go away? Or am I better off selling it?

    prior to this, the car ran like it was brand new and at 243k it still had a lot of life left, or so I thought.
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It's safe to assume this is another head gasket failure.
     
    Grit likes this.
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    You have likely joined an ever increasing club - Prius Gen3 Head Gaskets of America.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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  5. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Need new engine
     
  6. smokeGTI

    smokeGTI Member

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    I had the exact the same noise on my P3, it turned out to be a bad ignition coil on #3 cylinder,
    So I replaced all four of them since it's done 150k km already. Problem solved since then.
     
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The traditional misfire sources don't go away after five seconds and don't cause overheating. Plus he states he swapped coils.
     
  8. MITCHEROO

    MITCHEROO New Member

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    check oil w/engine running
    check inside Oil Filler Cap
    any condensation or chocolatey milkshake looking liquid??
    If so..., Head Gasket

    If it's a gasket you can fix it and get another 100k out of it , by now your mpg is down and your oil usage is up .... things starting adding up, but may be worth it because of this crazy phony vehicle shortage where the Dealerships are adding big $$$ to New and Used vehicles! We all need to remember who they are when this situation subsides

    Mitcheroo
    2nd Chron 7:14
     
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    These engines don't fail hg this way.