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Strange grinding noise on cold start.

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by mohsin, Mar 22, 2018.

  1. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    My car is 2014 Toyota Aqua with12,500kms on the odo.
    I have noticed that when i start the car in the morning a strange grinding sort of noise is emitted from the engine bay.
    It continues till the battery is fully charged then this strange noise stops and the engine noise returns to normal before the engine switches off.
    Can some one comment pls.

    Thanks
     
  2. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Sounds like you need to get it to a dealer.
     
  3. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    Thanks for your advice.
    Unfortunately we dont have toyota dealer support for Prius & Aqua as these are personal imports.

    You have any idea as what could be the source, otherwise the car is running fine, no warnings.

    Thanks
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you post a recording of the sound?
     
  5. davepc

    davepc Junior Member

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    We just had a similar problem. Did you check the oil recently? We let it go until it was nearly dry. And now the engine makes a buzzing noise. It's probably dead.
     
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  6. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

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    How cold is it? And what synthetic oil is being recommended in your region?

    Usually it's normal (rougher) for cold starts as the oil pump tries to get oil to the engine for lube in the winter...but if it's maybe colder than usual for your region and you're using some higher winter rating oil, then it's because the cold is causing oil to flow slower (more viscosity in cold) to lube your engine. Which is causing the grindy noise of metal on metal fapping.

    So maybe buy lower winter rated synthetic oil for the winter driving (0w-20) and up the rating for summer (so your oil doesn't turn to water and leak out in hot temps)
     
  7. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    Thank you for your replies;

    Yes I will try and record the sound and post it on the forum.

    I really dont recall if the noise was there when i got the car or not. I have a feeling that it started after i scrapped the car on a speed bump.
    I plan to get the car on lift and get the underside inspected.

    As regards to oil, i have recently got oil and oil filter replaced. Oil if is fully synthetic 0w-20 Kixx.

    The ambient temperature these days is 30deg C.

    I checked the oil and its upto the full mark.
     
  8. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Getting it up on a lift so you can do a visual and audio inspection would be a good idea while the engine is cold.
     
  9. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    I got the car on the lift, the noise comes from the transmission side.

    The sounds is like a bad bearing (like that made by regular cars when the water body bearing is bad).

    The noise starts 10~20 seconds after starting the car. It continues as long as the engine is running and stops few seconds before the engine shuts off. I presume the sound comes when the battery is being charged, when engine is under load.

    Pressing the accelerator, brake has no effect, the sound continues.

    Sound stops when car is shifted to neutral, and starts as you shift out of neutral to any gear ( P, R, D & B).

    There is no warning, the car is running flawlessly, the mileage is unaffected.

    Any guesses.
     
  10. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Neutral disengages the charging. All of the other gears keep it going, so you may be onto something.Perhaps something wrong with one of the electric motors? Someone will a bit more experience with the transmission will have to chime in here.
     
  11. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    Yes, thats my impression too. May be some senior can guide me.
    I have been referred to a specialist workshop, they will be visiting my home to witness the cold start.
    Lets see what they find.
     
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  12. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Do you know if the car ever had a transmission fluid change?
     
  13. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    No, it did not. I know this as its only 9000kms driven when i bought it from auction. Secondly I got the maintenance record with the car which showed the inspection and oil change.

    As regards to the grinding noise, the chap who came over to my house in the morning checked the car and said it seems like exhaust system rattle. So we took the car to the workshop and up on the car lift.

    We kept the car running, and as the engine started they started tracking the noise. Eventually some bolts were found to be loose and the shield was rattling making horrible grinding noise.

    Thankfully the car is back to its original state. Much relieved.
     
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  14. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    That rocks!
     
  15. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Good deal, we tend to over think some problems.
     
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  16. mohsin

    mohsin Member

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    True, rather we are proactive and associate every issues critical as it pertains to a Hybrid. :(
     
  17. Omar Akram

    Omar Akram New Member

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    sir can you specifically point out which bolts were loose and what else did you do because my car is having the same trouble...
     
  18. Kesaven

    Kesaven New Member

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    hello, can you please tell me exactly where are the bolts, i'm facing the same issue with my toyota aqua?