1.8L starting rattle, knock, events

No doubt. Someone start a thread

Mike :tea:

 

I can understand that dealers would like to reproduce the problem with techs, so they can make sure to fix the right problem. But, if it's intermittent and happens rarely, a detailed list of conditions will help. I say document everything, dates, temps, etc...

 

fwiw, had my car in for the 30k service today and had the issue noted in detail in my file (it has happened 4 times for me). Service tech was very interested and polite and make sure he had all my info. When they called back to say it was ready for pickup he said that there were no stored codes and (obviously) they couldn't reproduce the problem.

He noted a couple of cold start related rough idle TSB's but nothing that indicated the kind of hammering noise we are talking about here and all seemed confined to cold weather whereas this has happened in summer for me as well. I've printed out T-SB-0010-12 to give him when I go in. I'm sure he sees the note of 40 degrees and assumes that can't be it but I'm not sure that is correct.

My thought at this point is to just try not to put the car in that scenario and forget about it. If something comes up down the road then my issue is on file and I'll deal with it then. I don't want to minimize anyone else's concerns/worries/opinions on this, but that's my personal take on it. It's an extremely rare, mostly avoidable issue and I've got better things to waste my time worrying about then this.

 

I know what you mean. I've been through the mill with my dealership. The next step is arbitration...probably not worth it.

I still don't like the idea of not being able to move the car a short distance and turning off without having this issue lingering on my mind.

I've been able to repeat it 3 times in my semi-controlled environment.

 

Never happened to me with my 2010 with 15k miles that I've owned for 12 months now.

 

Has anybody had this TSB done that has been able to reproduce the problem and not been able to reproduce it after having the car fixed?

 

I've had the TSB done. Here is one of my clips of the rattle noise before I had the TSB done on my 2011 Prius. After the TSB I haven't been able to reproduce it.

 

Does anyone know what "tech support in California" refers to? Is there a contact number, etc. for them. I plan to take my prius in for this and want to have all my ducks in a row. Thanks!

 

The start rattle happened for the first time this morning. I moved the car in the driveway last Monday and only let the engine run about a minute after a cold start. (With 70+ degree temps, I'm not driving the Prius much until I get the winter tires off it this coming week.) The knock started immediately upon startup and I turned the car off. I waited a few seconds and started the car a second time. The knock started immediately but disappeared within 10 seconds. The car ran fine afterwards.

Weather was in the low 50s with heavy dew & some fog.

 

^ are you going to try to get the TS-B applied? Mine is going in Monday...

 

Since reading about this issue months ago I've been diligent about letting the engine fully warm up whenever I start the car. Last week I was in a rush and even made a mental note to myself that I may, at last, experience the knock. (I needed to get the LX out of the garage so my girlfriend and I could take my grandkids to see The Lorax.) Sure enough, I got to experience it today. I will record the details, continue to let the car fully warm up, and discuss it with the dealer at the 10K service in about 1300 miles.

 

It happened this morning in 50F weather. Yesterday husband pulled in and out of carport. This a.m. thought engine would fall out. Sound and loud rattling went away after about 10 seconds. Ran fine rest of day. My 2011 Prius only has 1300 miles on it. What's going on?

 

Well, took my ride in today for rough starts and the violent starts I had a few years ago.

When I get a call early in the day I know it is not good. They said, no codes, no fix, even with the reference to YouTube vids. Because I had another question on the brakes I ended up talking to the tech. I asked him about the engine mount. He said I would have to leave over night and he would determine if it needed to be replaced. I ask him what criteria would it have to meet... he couldn't tell me. Sheezzz. And no, there are no other Toyota dealers in the area.

What I would like to know is a contact number/name for Toyota Tech in CA that has been informing these techs that it is OK to do the TS-B.

 

I think it's clear that at this point Toyota does not have a preemptive fix for this issue. Many are being rejected. I won't bother trying to get it resolved with mine.

 

Well, a pleasant turn of events. Just got my car back from an overnight stay at the dealer. I dropped it off about 4:00 yesterday and got a call about 6:00... as I picked up the phone I was thinking, great too soon, they are just gonna tell me nothing is wrong without even a cold-soak!

But it was the Customer Representative. He was very apologetic that things had gotten to this stage and if he had only known about it earlier, things would have been better. He said they put their master tech on the job and he (the tech) knew exactly what is going on and that everything is going to be taken care of! Wow.

I picked it up today and the SA said that the parts for the two T-SBs were on order and should be here before next weekend and will be installed next weekend. On top of that, they included a new engine under-cover! Previously they said it was fine and would not be replaced. Wow.

 

Congratulations! Glad it worked out in your favor.

 

Could you post the (2) T.S.B. numbers?

 

Sure:
T-SB-0010-12 (I.M.)
T-SB-0204-11 (engine mount)

All T-SBs found @ http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-technical-discussion/98809-listing-3rd-gen-tsbs.html

 

im owner of a europe Prius 2010 (Gen3). I can reproduce the problem independent of ambient temperature after standing time of 10-14 days. Always!

Toyota Europe says Unknown problem

 

Sorry to hear that Tim, it hasn't happened again for me. Of course low temps here are 26C.