Harsh vibration

We've had 'the rattle' happen once since we owned the 2012 v Five.

A year or so into ownership, in the fall of 2012, I started the car to move it on the driveway, then shut it down. Upon restarting it a half hour later, it did 'the rattle.' I shut it down immediately. Started it again after a few minutes and it operated normally. Hasn't happened again.

I have seen a variety of suggested causes, most relate to unburned/remainder fuel in the intake manifold. It doesn't worry me.

 

try not to shut it down during the warm up cycle until the engine has shut off. how many miles on her? around 100k, you want to start thinking about cleaning the intake manifold and egr circuit.

 

Yep, mine does the same thing. Scares the heck out of me. Thought maybe a cat or squirrel was in the engine compartment.

I have a 2012 model Five...appx 80000 miles. Happens about once every 6 months or so. Not sure what the cause is but it smooths out after about 10 seconds. Very weird. And of course, the dealer has never heard of this and cannot duplivcate the problem.

But yes, the only commonality with others is that it does seem to happen after I move the car from one place on my driveway to another.

 

unburned hydrocarbons in the intake manifold.

 

Is y'all's gas mileage also effected?

 

you are in for a big surprise soon unless you take care of it ASAP. i.e. clean the egr system. you should only use the manufacture recommend engine oil type. Gen 3priuses are prone to localized engine over heating that will lead to head gasket issues. your coolant should not be low but when the problem exacerbates you will see low coolant with no leak it usually goes to cylinder one when that happens it will trip a code P0301 at this point if you are losing coolant just get head gasket test kit from amazon it will confirm a blown head gasket.

 

head gasket repairman to the rescue!

 

If it’s a regular occurrence stop wasting money and invest in a JDM engine $1200 or head gasket change/ rebuild. Check my Prost history