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2007 Prius Whining Noise From Engine Compartment (Proportional To Acceleration)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Alex G., May 13, 2014.

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  1. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Put the car in inspection mode....see post #12 abaove...then the engine will run continuously...open the hood and listen for the area that's making the noise.
    If it does not sound bad in the engine then you have running gear issues.

    Alex G's car sounds really bad almost like the transmission.

    If it sounds like his car get the transmission fluid changed and have them fill up a clean bucket with all the fluid and take it out in the sun and look for metallic flakes. And take close look at the magnetic plug for metal pieces. Should have no metal pieces on the metallic plug just black paste. If you have metal bits the trans is done. We have had a few differential failures in G2's

    I say start with the trans as its the most expensive. Everything else like cv joints or wheel bearings and or brake issues can be repaired rather easily.
    A cvt failure is very expensive and could possibly mean the car is totaled if bad so check that first.
     
    #21 edthefox5, Sep 4, 2014
  2. Alex G.

    Alex G. Junior Member

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    Model:
    II
    @edthefox5: My Prius is still making this loud vibrating/propeller noise. I found it highly ridiculous that Toyota's trained experts told me that after test driving it they found no abnormal noise coming from the engine or anywhere else in the car. Inside the car, the background noise is so loud that I need to keep the radio on pretty high just to try to drown it out.

    You think it's as serious as the transmission? What could I do to better explain the noise to Toyota? Do I have to take a sound decibel level reading inside while I'm driving to try to convince these guys?... I mean I don't understand how they cannot be hearing this. Should I try a different Toyota dealer??
     
    #22 Alex G., Sep 4, 2014
  3. Fifine

    Fifine Member

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    What else do you have to lose? The folks in the current service dept. already gave their time and opinion.

    Do try another dealership, or can anyone here recommend a Prius mechanic in Alex G.'s area?

    It appears the car is due for a trannie fluid change. Take it in for that service and ask that the noise be investigated as well. That way this new shop will be invested and seeking out more business from you.

    Note what what edthefox5 wrote and ask to see the fluid that comes out.

    Good luck!
     
    #23 Fifine, Sep 5, 2014
    edthefox5 likes this.
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This fluttering noise you hear at higher speeds, does it go away when you take your foot off the accelerator? Comes back when you step on the accelerator again?
     
    #24 JC91006, Sep 5, 2014
  5. Alex G.

    Alex G. Junior Member

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    II
    The fluttering noise decreases in volume as I take my foot off the accelerator and the car slows down, but I have to be traveling at extremely low speeds (10 mph or so) before I don't hear it anymore or can barely hear it. I can tell the noise is there however even when the car is not in motion because the gas portion of the engine sounds extra loud even while the car is in park. I can actually feel the vibration from whatever is going on inside the car (panels, the accelerator pedal...etc).

    I'm going to try taking the car in tomorrow for a comprehensive looking over.
     
    #25 Alex G., Sep 7, 2014
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    If there was only some way to get the engine to run so you could listen to it.......
     
    #26 edthefox5, Sep 8, 2014
  7. Alex G.

    Alex G. Junior Member

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    Gee Ed... really hadn't thought of that... you know because I'm a Toyota Master Technician and all. I came to these boards for help not to be criticized?


    Anyway, thanks to everyone else for their input. Turns out the Toyota dealership I originally brought the car to and even the Midas I had the right-front wheel bearing replaced at in January both failed to realize (even check?) that the left-front wheel bearing was also completely destroyed -- this was the noise I was hearing. I don't know how common it is to have two front wheel bearings go after 83,000 miles on an '07 toyota but that was the issue. With a new wheel bearing in the car now it's as quiet as it ever was and I am finally enjoying driving again without all that extra noise. I am just shocked that the original dealer that I took the car to didn't bother checking and even Midas said only one out of the two were bad... this is why second opinions (or even a third?) are always a good idea.
     
    #27 Alex G., Sep 8, 2014
    SWprius08 likes this.
  8. Battu

    Battu New Member

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    Can i accelerate without moving.?
     
    #28 Battu, Jul 13, 2015
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    you can press the accelerator while in park, the car will only go up to 3000 rpm or so. See if you can hear the noise while revving it up. If you can, it would be most likely be your belt, pulley, or water pump make noise
     
    #29 JC91006, Jul 13, 2015
  10. bfealk

    bfealk 100mpgprius

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    III
    I have the same noise in my vehicle. I'm taking it in today. Did you ever get a resolution?
     
    #30 bfealk, Jul 13, 2016
  11. billh

    billh Junior Member

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    my 2006 just started with the hum. 210,000 miles. Had the wheel bearings checked, no go. Appointment at dealership on Monday. Just replaced tires, then the hybrid battery a month later, so head is swimming. Feeling like the battery replacement was not a good move. Such a great car its been. hoping fix is under $1,000 else I'll be in a quandary.
     
    #31 billh, Sep 24, 2016
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Check your tires on the hum sounds
     
    #32 JC91006, Sep 24, 2016
  13. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Electrical noise through the audio cable from your phone?
     
    #33 douglasjre, Sep 24, 2016
  14. billh

    billh Junior Member

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    Turns out it was a wheel bearing. $500 and I'm on the road again
     
    #34 billh, Sep 26, 2016
    douglasjre likes this.
  15. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    I put a 12 ton press from Harbor Freight for around a hundred or two hundred bucks or so. It pays for itself.... joints for the Jeep
     
    #35 douglasjre, Oct 12, 2016
  16. jerseyjerry

    jerseyjerry New Member

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    I have the same issue and no one can help me. The rip-off garage changed my water pump, claiming that was the cause, but it is still back. did you ever find out what causes this noise i have 06 prius, thanks
     
    #36 jerseyjerry, Dec 9, 2021
  17. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Wheel bearings . They've probably never been done twill make a difference at 200 or so k miles.

    SM-A715F ?
     
    #37 Tombukt2, Dec 12, 2021
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