1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Fluttering Sound When Accelerating at any Speed

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Scott*74, Aug 9, 2018.

  1. Scott*74

    Scott*74 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2018
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    My 2009 Prius (205,000 miles) recently started making a fluttering sound. I can't get the .mov video to load but it sounds similiar to a plastic bag fluttering in the wind only it's coming from the engine compartment. It will do this at any speed as long as I'm accelerating heavily or resuming to a set cruise control speed. At a constant RPM all is good. It started this soon after I changed the spark plugs. The plugs corrected a loss of power issue. It was dropping to a lower gear while cruising at freeway speed. I don't think the issues are related but it's possible. I checked the spark plug coils and they are fine. Ran through a tank of treated fuel injector cleaner and will try Sea Foam next. Any other suggestions? I see similiar threads with no final solution. It's not the wheel bearings. I know what that sounds and feels like, I've replaced each of them once already.
     
  2. Scott*74

    Scott*74 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2018
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    On the way home tonight it started squealing just before the plastic bag in the wind sound. Once the plastic bag sound started the squealing would either stop or I just couldn’t hear it.
     
  3. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2006
    316
    127
    0
    Location:
    Houston, Tx.
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Have you checked the water pump belt and tensioner?
     
  4. Scott*74

    Scott*74 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2018
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    No I have not. Can you point me to a description on how that is done? The one belt that I can see does appear to be worn and cracked.
     
  5. Scott*74

    Scott*74 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2018
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I guess I figured it out. Looks simple enough. Would the water pump or drive pulley potentially make that noise or is it more likely the belt? The tension seems fine to me but it’s hard to gauge. I’m going to try replacing the belt first as it appears quite worn and cracked anyway.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,133
    50,050
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    look underneath for a loose aero panel.
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,428
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If the water pump hasn't been replaced in the last 100k miles, you should change it along with the belt. That is most likely the cause of your noise
     
  8. Scott*74

    Scott*74 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2018
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Anyone have a link to directions for this? I’m leaning towards the dealership taking over based on the YouTube video I saw but maybe I’ll try it.
     
  9. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2006
    316
    127
    0
    Location:
    Houston, Tx.
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    This may or may not be the video you saw.

     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  10. Scott*74

    Scott*74 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2018
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    That’s the dude. Looks expensive. I’ll call on Monday and ask for a quote.