Loud engine

might be a leaky exhaust manifold

 

Back in January, some light-fingered, slimy shyte-for-brains stole ChugyPyg's catalytic-converter and the immediate effect on the noise-level of the running engine was quite noticeable. There was a rash of such crimes in this area back in January. It's 3 am. Do you know where your catalytic-converter is?

 

How much louder? Like really loud? Or just sort of loud? And as per @bisco comment... Does it smell like an old 1970's car in the engine compartment when engine is running?

 

if by 'louder than normal' you mean a little more rpm, could be the hybrid battery

 

My guess is battery.
Time for a NexCell kit.

 

you would have to start with the manifold, feeling for escaping air, and work your way back to the muffler

 

Get a length of small hose (around 1/4" diameter, maybe 3 foot long). Hold one end in an ear while carefully moving the other end around exhaust system parts. When you get the hose near a leak, it will sound much louder . You need to keep the engine running. You can put the car in "maintenance mode", or try turning the heater up to hi-full hot.

You need to safely raise and support the front of the car to be able to check everything- especially the spring loaded flex joint between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter. The "donut" gasket can wear and leak. If so, get a new one from Toyota- that fits and seals best.

It can help to have a helper use a heavy leather glove to "cap" the end of the tailpipe and force more exhaust out of any leaks - do that for a few seconds at a time then pause so you don't get a burned hand.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

you can sell the old one for about the same price; win/win!

 

Surprised you found the OEM cat it’s been on back order for a long time last I heard.

Hope you didn’t pay $1000 for an aftermarket $125 cat. Cost $80 to weld it up.

 

I just had noisy engine. It turned out I needed a new water pump.