Help - morning rattle - about to give up

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Steelerfan2018, Apr 17, 2022.

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  1. Steelerfan2018

    Steelerfan2018 Member

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    Hi all,
    2011 Prius. Some history:
    In the past year I have put in new: plugs, EGR, PCV valve. On Friday I got the EGR cooler cleaned as well - from what I understand they soaked it overnight and it was good the next day. Also has a new green bean battery, which has been doing great. I change the oil on time and have it checked constantly. Averages about 1/2 to 1qt per 3000 miles.

    A little after 7am this morning - got the death rattle. First time ever. Shut off the car. Wanted to cry.
    7:30am this morning - started again, smooth engine. Checked oil, at exactly the lowest dot on the stick. Coolant looks OK, no sign of gunk on oil cap. At 8am I will run to advanced and get some oil (using another vehicle, I won't run the Prius until I put oil in it).

    Strangely, the car has been running great. I drive for Lyft, average 100-150 miles a day and around 42mpg. Yesterday drove for about 100 miles, did great.

    Any advice greatly appreciated,
    Rob
     
    #1 Steelerfan2018, Apr 17, 2022
  2. Steelerfan2018

    Steelerfan2018 Member

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    update this morning - advance opened at 9am, got oil. Prius took 1.5qts. Most I've ever had to add, dipstick now to the top marker on dipstick. Tried starting = normal.

    Still scared to drive, if anyone has any comments please let me know.

    Rob
     
    #2 Steelerfan2018, Apr 17, 2022
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Was the intake manifold taken off and cleaned out when the EGR cooler was cleaned?

    The 4 small EGR passages in the intake manifold need to be cleaned out because they will clog shut.

    How many miles on your Prius?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 Brian1954, Apr 17, 2022
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?

    what plugs, purchased from where?

    how much oil is she burning?

    is the coolant level dropping at all?
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 17, 2022
  5. Steelerfan2018

    Steelerfan2018 Member

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    #5 Steelerfan2018, Apr 17, 2022
  6. Steelerfan2018

    Steelerfan2018 Member

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    No.
     
    #6 Steelerfan2018, Apr 17, 2022
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  7. Steelerfan2018

    Steelerfan2018 Member

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    Also - the check engine light is not on as of right now.
     
    #7 Steelerfan2018, Apr 17, 2022
  8. Steelerfan2018

    Steelerfan2018 Member

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    Update - I went over a friend's house to get a second view. Drove the car for about 10 minutes, did not see anything wrong. Still no check engine light. Ever so slight rumble when starting the car, but afterwards = OK. Round trip about 40 miles.
     
    #8 Steelerfan2018, Apr 17, 2022
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Please answer the questions above, particular post #3.

    Ah, see they're pretty much answered, albeit embedded in a quote, in post #6.

    Still, can you address these post #3 questions:

    Having "professionals" do the EGR cleaning, they likely do a rushed job, of what they do clean, and may completely miss part of it, say the intake manifold's EGR passages. And you never really know, till you do it yourself.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Apr 17, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2022
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and i would ask the mech what plugs he used. oem from a dealer is the safest route in these days of counterfeiting
     
    #10 bisco, Apr 17, 2022
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