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Knocking / Rattling on my 08 Prius (2 issues)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by tucka20, Jun 5, 2013.

  1. tucka20

    tucka20 Junior Member

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    im getting increasingly concerned about two issues I have with my (UK) Tspirit Prius. I bought it used in Feb 12 with 1 year tooyota warranty so I have no warranty left, and am concerned about expensive diagnostic costs at the stealership.

    First issue started a few weeks ago. When turning left at a speed > 20mph or when turning wheel quickly I get a rattling noise, which is more prominent with the driver window down, so it sounds like it comes from the driver side front wheel, but not quite sure. It is fairly loud as I have had pedestrians look at my car when turning because they can hear the rattle.

    Second issue started this morning but has persisted every time since. When the car is cooling down, we get that whirring noise, which I presume is thr coolant pump. That noise also happens now when I entrr the car, and it is accompanied by a knocking noise as if somebody is hitting the outside of the car repeatedly. This is quite unnerving as it sounds like something is hitting the bodywork of thr car. It stops immediately when the normal whirring stops.

    I was just wondering if anyone has suffered from any of these issues or knows what they might be.

    I had the steering and water pump recall done in november last year, could this be related to that?

    Forgot ti add the car has done 49000miles

    Thanks
    Jordan


    GT-N7100 ? 2
     
    #1 tucka20, Jun 5, 2013
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Is your car a front end accident rebuild?
     
    #2 edthefox5, Jun 5, 2013
  3. tucka20

    tucka20 Junior Member

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    Never to my knowledge any accidents. I bought the car at 32000miles and 4 years old, full service history.

    Not saying there hasnt been any serious accidents but i would hope Toyota dealer would have told me as the car had been purchased/serviced/part ex at same dealer

    GT-N7100 ? 2
     
    #3 tucka20, Jun 5, 2013
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    As both noises seem to be coming from the front of the car - if you don't want to visit your Toyota dealer then you need to raise up the front and look around. You may need to remove the front wheels and then remove the fender liner on the left side to access the engine coolant heat recovery canister and the associated coolant pump.

    Since the first noise is loud enough for pedestrians to hear it, you need to take immediate action. Maybe a front strut or some other suspension part is loose - and that represents a significant safety issue.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Jun 5, 2013
  5. tucka20

    tucka20 Junior Member

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    Being a university student in the middle of exams I wont have time for anything like this, so would probably be better off taking into toyota.

    Thanks though

    GT-N7100 ? 2
     
    #5 tucka20, Jun 5, 2013
  6. tucka20

    tucka20 Junior Member

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    Took it to my local garage. It was the front right brake backing plate was loose. It has been tightened up and all is good on the rattling point of view. Best of all dealer did it for free and washed my car! So if anyone else has this issue thst could be it.

    Still not heard my knock since so hopefully thar was just one day

    GT-N7100 ? 2
     
    #6 tucka20, Jun 10, 2013
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Patrick the UK/EU Prius does not have the coolant heat recovery canister, control valve, and pump. Less to go wrong I guess.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #7 Britprius, Jun 10, 2013
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Good point, and therefore it is not obvious what is making this noise when the car is IG-OFF.
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Jun 10, 2013
  9. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The only thing I could think of along that line is the rad cooling fans or the brake pump, or both.since the temperatures have gone up in the last couple of weeks.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #9 Britprius, Jun 10, 2013
  10. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Are you sure the UK 2008 Prius T Spirit doesn't have the thermal coolant heat recovery canister? When the engine has shut down and I've powered off, I tend to hear faint whirring and throbbing noises that start up always shortly after I've initiated main power cut off. All the time every time. I have always assumed that is was the thermal canister. When I insert my fob into the dash, there's often a similar sound too! Curiously, though stationary, the car seems to sway a bit, disconcertingly when these noises happen. My Prius has 55,800 miles on the clock and has the Touring equivalent extra accessories, including leather interior.
     
    #10 Data Daedalus, Jul 8, 2013
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    North America 2G Prius have the canister in the left-front fender area and this can be seen when the front portion of the fender liner is removed.

    You may be hearing the brake actuator pump running, if your car does not have the canister.
     
    #11 Patrick Wong, Jul 8, 2013
  12. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Brake actuator pump running in the event of there not being a thermal canister? Thanks Patrick. I'll take a peek in those coordinates of my engine compartment tomorrow and see if there's one there or not :)
     
    #12 Data Daedalus, Jul 8, 2013
  13. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The 2008 UK gen2 Prius Tspirit does not have the thermos canister, the bladder in the fuel tank, PTC heaters or heated mirrors. This makes life much less difficult for us Brits apart from the mirrors.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #13 Britprius, Jul 8, 2013
  14. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Thanks for confirming that Britprius. We could have really used the heated mirrors though, considering our climate. Still, that's a bit less to go wrong I suppose. I just got my dream Prius barely a week ago. Every commute is an exciting revelation of how unique and amazing the gen2 Prius T Spirit really is. It'll take me weeks to learn how to use all the functions on offer - especially voice commands.
     
    #14 Data Daedalus, Jul 8, 2013
  15. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    I have had my 2008 Tspirit since new and I am still learning.
    Heated mirrors can be fitted if you can do basic wiring at little cost, and are well worth the effort in the winter.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #15 Britprius, Jul 9, 2013
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