2006 Engine Noise

Our 2006 just hit 150k miles and has been running fine, aside from a slide leak somewhere in the fuel system. Had the fuel filler neck replaced and that fixed it for a bit, then the check engine came back on and we haven't done anything about it since (We cannot smell anything). See this thread for more info on that (Fuel Tank and Canister Replacement | PriusChat)

In the last few weeks, a rather unsettling noise has started and seems to be coming from the engine, right behind the center console. The noise sounds similar to driving over rumble strips, but higher frequency and the vibrations are much less intense, but can be felt through the gas pedal. I can't find any consistency with when it happens - it'll happen when coasting, increasing speed, braking, and it seems to just come and go. It does seem be happening more frequently. I am not expert, but it does not seem like it is coming from the wheels or back of the car, and the noise does not change based on speed.

Just looking for any suggestions before I take it to get it looked at. Because the check engine like is on from the evap issue, we aren't sure if it 'would' be on for whatever this new issue is. I've posted a video to youtube trying to show the noise. In the video, it is the noise that sounds like car passing me, but doesn't go away. Ignore the mess, I was on the road for a few days for work..

 

Sorry, the video should work now. Now rebuilt or from auction. We are the 2nd owner, bought it with 62k miles in October 2012. All serviced at the local dealer before we got it.

With the evap, I am going off of the codes, and what a few different garages told me. I had a separate post on here regarding that (Fuel Tank and Canister Replacement | PriusChat). Dealer wanted to replace the tank, canisters and lines. The local garage said it was the fuel filler neck. They both did the pressurized smoke test to find the leak.

 

Not sure why the video is not working - I tried making adjustments to the settings again..

I really don't think the noise we are getting now has to do with our previous issues (most likely) - it's just that the Check Engine light is on because of the previous issues, so I wouldn't know if it were on because of the new issue.

My wife and I never top it off, but it is possible the first owner did, leading to the issues we have with the system now. I am going to take it to the local garage and have them test drive, see if they can identify it.

 

For anyone reading this, it was the front passenger side wheel bearing. I was pretty surprised by that, as I have had wheel bearings go in my old Subaru and it sounded nothing like this. Happy it was nothing more catastrophic as I originally feared.