Sudden engine knocking, no power.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by bikeking19, Nov 16, 2019.

  1. bikeking19

    bikeking19 Junior Member

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    I have an 05' with 215k on it. Has been a dream, no issues, just gas and oil changes. I was driving from San Diego to Las Vegas today and coming down a mountain I put the car into "b" as I normally do when coming down hills to avoid riding the brakes. I noticed the sound seemed to be higher than normal, than a knocking sound for a few seconds. The red triangle popped up for a couple of seconds then went back off, which happened multiple times but always staying off. Thankfully there was a parking lot at the bottom of the hill that I was able to pull into with the engine knocking very loud. I turned the car off, opened the hood everything seemed to be OK, until I pulled the dipstick and found it dry. I bought one, then two, then 3 quarts of 5-30 synthetic to get the oil level up to the correct level. Car still starts, get the ready signal but engine still knocking pretty loud. So I shut it off and got a ride to town. Underneath the car there seems to be a leak at the transfer case I noticed. Any ideas? Is the engine toasted? Is there a, way I can find out without getting a $200 tow? Have a video of it running. I have an obd reader and it's not showing any codes or anything amiss which I find strange as well.

    SM-G892U ?
     
    #1 bikeking19, Nov 16, 2019
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Probably the engine is bad. Of course you could see where the oil is leaking. But that might just tell you if the engine oil leaked out and lack of oil caused the engine to break. Or if engine oil just got low (oil consumption or maybe it was never filled correctly) and caused the engine damage that also caused the leak.

    When was the last time you checked the oil level? How many miles ago?
     
    #2 valde3, Nov 16, 2019
  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Sounds like the engine ran out of oil, which is never a good thing.

    Was there a known oil consumption issue, or did you fail to check the oil on a regular interval? (like every fill up)

    Mostly likely the engine is toast. Now would be a good time to start thinking of plan B.
     
    #3 SFO, Nov 16, 2019
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  4. bikeking19

    bikeking19 Junior Member

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    Checked oil level two weeks ago and it was fine. Make the drive from San Diego and Las Vegas every weekend so miles add up but I keep it pretty reasonable, just cruise at 65. Yea at this point im banking on the engine being shot likely.
     
    #4 bikeking19, Nov 17, 2019
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Going down big long hill in B is very hard on the motor. Hard on the trans. Easy on the brakes. Somethings got to give.

    Dry dipstick and blown motor is very common on this thread. The thread titles usually say KNOCKING. You never checked the engine oil during and after high speed road trip. I would check the oil every day on one of those with an engine that has 215K. because its a high mileage little oil eating monster. Or was. Its done.
     
    #5 edthefox5, Nov 17, 2019
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  6. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    Lots of Prius drivers never know Prius's are oil burners generally after 100k. Its a know problem and usually it's too late when they find out. Sounds like you checked the oil and it was full the top dot on the dip stick is usually the full mark at 4 quarts. If you have full oil in the engine before your trip, it shouldn't have burned that many quarts for 1000 mile trip. More than likely your car develope a leak and the oil came out. You mentioned you saw oil dripping from the bottom of the engine. Honestly regardless of maintenance you have a blown engine from the no oil and knocking sounds. All indicators of a major problem.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
    #6 Kaptainkid1, Nov 17, 2019
  7. LJfS

    LJfS New Member

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    Anyone know or have suggestions what can be done with a 2008 touring Prius 115,000 miles that has the knocking engine problem going on? Auto shop said its going be about 3-5K to replace engine, thrown rod. The car is in good condition interior has all the touring features, leather interior, and brand new tires.
     
    #7 LJfS, May 15, 2020
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can't see why the engine would need to be replaced at that mileage, does she burn any oil?

    have you gone through the plugs/pcv/injectors and etc.?
     
    #8 bisco, May 15, 2020
  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I have never been so attached to a car that I would spend that much fixing one that old. If a connection rod is indeed broken, and especially if it's created a peep hole in the side of the block, it's for sure toast. If the block is intact, it could be rebuilt, but that's even more labor intensive and expensive than replacing it with a used engine. And then, when it's all said and done, you'll have a 12-13 year old car that'll probably soon be wanting a new traction battery for another $2,500 or so.
     
    #9 jerrymildred, May 15, 2020
  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Which metroplex in CA are you near?
     
    #10 SFO, May 16, 2020
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