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

  1. Seksprius

    Seksprius New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2024
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Franklin, TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello all,
    Long term lurker first time poster. This is my second Prius. 2010. I’ve had zero issues and have been enjoying it. I then figure out these tend to have head gasket issues. I go to check my coolant and it does look low. What are y’all’s thoughts/ suggestions on the level and how to proceed? The pictures are of it cold.

    Also unrelated it makes this consistent whirring noise for 2 seconds each time even when the car is off. Anybody have experience with this? The noise seems to be coming from right under/ around the smaller coolant reservoir. I have a video but I guess I can’t post it here.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Khezekiah

    Khezekiah New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2024
    21
    24
    2
    Location:
    Alabama USA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'd suggest regularly checking the level to see if/how much it is deceasing before worrying if you aren't having any other head gasket symptoms.
    With the noise, do you mean every time you turn the car off for 2 seconds it happens? because your description just says "each time, even when the car is off"
    each time what?
    my car makes a couple second whirling noise when I turn it off. Never had an issue and always figured it was some system discharging/depressurizing.
     
    Seksprius likes this.
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,384
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    The brake pump ing up the accumulator that's the worrying usually
     
    Mendel Leisk and Seksprius like this.
  4. Seksprius

    Seksprius New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2024
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Franklin, TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I will check it regularly. I assume I should add some but I don’t know what kind the previous owner used. Any suggestions on how to proceed with that?
    Whether it’s on or off it makes that sound. The sound happens for 2 seconds, then quiet and then it will do it again for 2 seconds.
     
  5. Seksprius

    Seksprius New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2024
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Franklin, TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Will it consistently do that whether it’s on or off?
    Also since you’re a senior member are these Gen 3s really that bad? People are acting like it’s the end of the world but it seems like you can get a replacement JDM engine for about $1k. What am I missing here? I thought all Prius are good buys.
     
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,384
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    There are a couple of things under the hood that can make whorrong and pumping noises generally you'll be hearing the break pump on the firewall You can put your hand behind the inverter and feel it It's not hot it's just there or the inverter pump which usually you don't really hear You can also put your hand and feel that right behind the driver's headlight and then there is a pump in the wheel well forward portion next to a thermos expansion light bottle and that runs in the morning at startup things like that but you usually won't hear that because you got the other two pumps running and you're fixing to back out the driveway and the beeper's on and all of that.
     
    Seksprius likes this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,686
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    what's the miles?
     
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,384
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    When your brake assembly pump accumulator all that business on the firewall behind the inverter is starting to get to its end of life It will pump seemingly constantly when you're in the car when you're sitting there out of the car when it still think it's active and you might be driving in a few it'll keep the brakes pumped up once it goes to rest to sleep or whatever then no not really a huge issue but that pump is pumping a bit if you're 12 volts not up to snuff well and you're not driving the car it's just in the driveway so generally I get them replaced so they're not doing that Just part of the car you know it's one of those things you'll fix or you'll drive it around like it is and you won't until you're done and call it a day. The generation 3 you think the generation 2 is problematic that you're dealing with now Just wait till you have a generation 3 odds are it will be used obviously probably have a good bit of mileage on it look here how people are running their cars they're camping in them leaving the air conditioner on all night living in them so on you know so that's what you're going to be buying from whoever whatever the individual case may be just look at the general things going on here so imagine what's going on out there I would say get the generation too sorted have it running and doing everything like it's supposed to and then if you want to venture off and the generations 3 through 5 or something You have a well working backup so that doesn't make you make foolish quick decisions that are very costly when you own one of those other vehicles and it breaks If you don't have something else to drive you can be easily conned and to foolish decisions by unscrupulous silly people It happens every day so there's always that You've got the generation too You don't have to worry about how you're going to get to work for the next 10 days boom guaranteed that other car that's broken down you can get it moved by your buddy with his truck throw it in the driveway and let it rip until you have time to fool with it be surprised how long that time might be do you think you want to fool with it because after you own it it's not all that. The generation 2 still is
     
    Seksprius likes this.
  9. Seksprius

    Seksprius New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2024
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Franklin, TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    182k
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,686
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    How long have you had it?

    likely has EGR components near-total carbon-clogged, and head gasket leaking coolant into cylinders.

    I’d do a boroscope inspection of the cylinders, looking for evidence of the latter.
     
  11. Seksprius

    Seksprius New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2024
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Franklin, TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So this happens to every Gen 3 Prius? Mine has given zero indication of any issues mechanically.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,686
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I’ve yet to hear of one that doesn’t.
     
    Seksprius likes this.
  13. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    1,561
    594
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Do you get misfiring when the car starts up from setting overnight? If not, it might just be a leak somewhere.
     
  14. bbrages

    bbrages Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2023
    113
    26
    0
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Coolant looks ok to me. Engine coolant right at the "L" but it's cold, so...? Keep up with your maintenance and watch the level. If you are not getting misfires and shaking, the head gasket probably hasn't blown yet.
     
  15. Seksprius

    Seksprius New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2024
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Franklin, TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I don’t. Runs smooth. Haven’t seen a drop anywhere. Refilled it so will keep an eye on it.
     
  16. Seksprius

    Seksprius New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2024
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Franklin, TN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yea not getting either. I only paid $5k for it and it’s in pretty mint condition so I’m not too worried about it.