Will it make it in the winter in the mountains?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by amijus, Dec 5, 2016.

  1. amijus

    amijus Junior Member

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    Does anyone have Prius 07 with milage over 200 000 on it with pretty loud knocking engine and tried to go to the mountains in the winter?

    I wonder if my engine wont die in there, especially that a lot of people mentioned about altitude difference. I have pretty new transmission put in but engine is loud , eats oil and sometimes smokes. Any advice on that? Would you risk a trip to Colorado ( aspen - snowmass) in the winter? Thanks!

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    #1 amijus, Dec 5, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    no, i would replace the engine first, or take a younger car. but that's just me.:)
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 5, 2016
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  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    1) loud knocking engine sounds bad at anytime, I can't imagine anyone being able to promise anything good with just that information. i suspect a new engine (or car) is in your future.
    2) US is quite a large place. Winter in CO and winter in FL are quite different, as are the definitions of 'mountains'. I can't imagine anyone brave enough to promise the entire US is fine every winter.

    I wish you luck.

    If you knew the engine was actually healthy and you over stated the noise, I would invest in true snow tires or a cheap 4 by 4 vehicle if your Winters are severe.
     
    #3 JimboPalmer, Dec 5, 2016
  4. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    If the car eats oil then one idea has been to use a thicker oil, but this is contrary to going to a cold place, where thinner is better.

    I agree not to use it. Bring chains.

    MT2L03 ?
     
    #4 jzchen, Dec 5, 2016
  5. amijus

    amijus Junior Member

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    Ha! Thanks guys! It was more of figuring out if I should take it to colorado for a trip. Winter tires or whatever is approved there would be an option I will stay with rental I guess. My biggest fear is that engine will die trying to make it up the hill and fighting altitude.
    Newer engine is in the future if this one will make it to work for it :) also currently I use 10w40 oil.

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    #5 amijus, Dec 6, 2016
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Altitude, in itself, is not a problem. The fuel injection will adjust for anywhere you can drive in North America. Maximum available power will be reduced by a certain fraction, but this is the same for all cars, new or old, large or small.

    Hill climbing may be another matter. The steepness and length of the hills are what will really matter.
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Dec 6, 2016
  7. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    10w40 is pretty thick for a Prius. Did you ever try the recommended weight? (Thought is your pump is having trouble with the viscosity, possibly contributing to the sound.)


    iPad ?
     
    #7 jzchen, Dec 6, 2016
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Can you estimate the oil eating rate?
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Dec 6, 2016
  9. amijus

    amijus Junior Member

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    10w40 conventional was recommended by my mechanic ( who worked with a lot of priuses), if it would be up to me I would put 15w40 thats when engine was very quiet. One mechanic put light oil and i thought engine will die on me every time I accelerated. I also have problem with coolant pump thats needs to be changed. But testes performed say engine will need to be changed eventually. It also squeaks everywhere. Yes i got junk prius. If it comes to oil estimate i do about 100 miles a day sometimes more sometimes less it eats 1/2 within a week or 1,5 week.

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    #9 amijus, Dec 6, 2016
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    So about a quart every 2000 miles, give or take. Hmm.

    When did the new transaxle go in? I keep thinking: should have done both engine and transaxle at same time. If and when you take the plunge, probably simplest to just do both again. Or throw in the towel and sell for parts.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Dec 6, 2016
  11. amijus

    amijus Junior Member

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    I don't know what's transaxle is I assume it's a pomp. But it went bad about 2 months ago. I plan on changing it with engine once i have money. And i would gladly to sell it but it isnt payed off yet. Thats what happens when girl buys a car :/

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    #11 amijus, Dec 6, 2016
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  12. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Hmmmm,

    So maybe the car is running cold, thermostat stuck open. Only reason I can think 15w would be quieter. They are both approximately 40 weight when hot. Thermostats aren't usually very expensive, but I don't know what's involved in changing one in the Prius....


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    #12 jzchen, Dec 6, 2016
  13. amijus

    amijus Junior Member

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    I dont have a clue. Engine is good over 200 000 miles. Person who owned it before didn't do oil changes. Please dont add anymore to this car. I already changed transmission, spark plugs, flex plate, cleaned battery, changed battery motor, cleaned up converter and changed donut, changed dash meter and what else? Oh did alignment. Of course got new tires. All within a year of owning it. I still need new engine and pomp. I actually wonder how to lubricate damn thing when supposedly it doesnt need lubrication im totally sick of this car..

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    #13 amijus, Dec 6, 2016
  14. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    The person previously who owned it didn't do oil changes....?!! Scary!!


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    #14 Data Daedalus, Dec 7, 2016
  15. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    With all the history coming apparent on this car, I definitely would not bring it to Colorado this winter. And not because of mountains. I've had a Prius in Colorado high country communities for many years without a problem. But this car should probably just stay close to home with towing insurance in force. But I'm an older, more cautious guy, so keep that in mind.
     
    #15 andrewclaus, Dec 7, 2016
  16. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    Traction laws are frequently in effect out here.....meaning you will be fined (and probably cause an accident) unless you have snow tires, or AWD/4WD.
    There are So many accidents up on I-70 involving inexperienced drivers, driving vehicles not designed for Mountain travel during adverse conditions.
    There's a reason Subaru is king in Colorado (we bought our Outback in 2005 )

    Rent a Subaru (or any 4WD SUV) for your ski trip.

    With that being said, here I am driving my Prius into work on this snowy day so that my wife can be safe in our Outback that is riding on nokian winter tires

    Prius is rather well balanced for light snow, engine in front/HV battery in back
     
    #16 Jimi1976, Dec 7, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2016
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