Engine rattle at low rpm acceleration

my mechanic quoted EGR cooler cleaning as $200 work. Is that okay?

 

I would wonder if your mechanic knows the amount of work he is getting himself into. My opinion is that $200 would be a realy good price to remove & replace a EGR cooler. Then the cleaning - it took me 6-8 hours over a week to get my fully plugged cooler really clean. If the cooler only gets somewhat clean it will plug up faster than if it gets 100% clean.
At least you are now working on how to resolve a known issue now
Good luck!

 

Is that just for cleaning or removal, cleaning and replacement?

What mechanic are you using in the Bay Area?

 

yes, cleaning and removal. KSH Automotive at 730 Ellis st, SF

 

That’s a great deal.

Had work done there before? We’re you pleased with their service? Did you get the cooler removed and cleaned yet?

Keep us posted .

 

UPDATE: just got back my car - the mechanic said that my EGR cooler was FULLY clogged, like 100%. He was trying to clean it, spent 4hrs but nothing, to clean the EGR cooler you need much more time. So eventually he assembled my Prius and suggested me to buy a new EGR cooler and bring it to him.

Bad news is after he assembled my car is started shaking when I keep the speed bar between Normal and PWR (ICE on). Any Ideas?

 

Look on eBay for a cooler, or you could hit up either toyota recycler in Rancho Cordova.

I got a spare cooler and egr valve for $100 from them. Have a semi clean one sitting on the Work bench.

Sounds like your mechanic didn’t know what he was in For.

 

UPDATE: just got my car from the mechanic after replacing EGR Cooler. Bad news - the engine is still knocking like crazy when battery is low + moreover car has started shaking at certain RPM on 20-70MPH + check engine light coming in and out

At this point I've done following:
-cleaning EGR Valve, EGR Pipe, IM
-replaced spark plugs
-replaced EGR Cooler

Guys @Raytheeagle , @kc401 any suggestions? Thank you

 

@Raytheeagle oh btw I bought the EGR Cooler in Rancho Cordova. Thanks for the advice

 

Good to hear you found a cooler.

How clean was it prior to putting it into service? Is your engine coolant level stable? What are the codes? Is your hv battery fan clean?

Keep us posted .

 

new EGR Cooler is super clean, coolant level is stable (around MAX mark). Will know tomorrow what codes are. Battery I don't know clean or not.

 

All the connections are tight? Particularly on the plugs?

 

I don't know. Will ask my mechanic tomorrow

 

Planning to take the IM tomorrow for cleaning... Had the EGR valve changed from toyota dealer covered by the warranty and have this noice on low rpms now... I hope the cleaning will help these vibrations drives me crazy!!!

 

Welcome to Prius Chat .

If you’re cleaning the manifold, you’ll be missing one key component left: the egr cooler.

Once you have all of that clean, your engine rattle should be gone.

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

I will keep posting here I hope after the IM and the PCV valve the car should be fine... I really want to be fine, because don't want to deal with the cooler removing. And it's so weird, cause this noise is coming on a hot car only!

 

Probably. I think when dealerships change the valve that's ALL they change, they leave the good old (sooted up, clogged) EGR cooler undisturbed. Maybe. Who knows. That's the trouble: if you're not DIY'ing this, you're often in the dark as to what's actually been done, how effective it is.

Another cleaning exercise, after cleaning the complete EGR system and a thorough Intake Manifold cleaning: an Oil Catch Can, in series between the PCV valve and intake manifold.

 

Great news! The car is running smooth like never before! The small holes inside the IM were full on 80% and after 3 cans of brake cleaner, zip ties and degreaser everything was clean. New PCV valve as well. The TB was clean and I did't see huge amount of oil inside the IM. Now the car drives good

 

Thanks for reporting back.

Now that you’ve gotten a glimpse into the egr circuit, while it’s running fine now, guess what the egr cooler looks like?

I’d say plan for it and you’ll make sure you’re in good shape for the long term.

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

Hello...mine started rattling at around 20 mph through very light acceleration. It drives me crazy! I cleaned the pipe that leads from IM to EGR. It was really clogged. It didn't resolve the rattling issue, though. I guess I'll be removing and cleaning the IM next. I was wondering, since the rattling noise sounds as if something is loose, could it be that something is indeed loose? I was thinking it might be a heat shield or something.

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