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2003 w/87k startup noise

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by scirocco.wind, Mar 17, 2021.

  1. scirocco.wind

    scirocco.wind Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2021
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Hi y'all. I scored this car from auction ($500! one owner! no warning lights!) and it's been fantastic. Even the oem 12v battery mostly works.

    However --- i suspect the motor mounts are collapsed, as there is noticeable rock when the engine comes on when parked and engine noise is higher than other Gen 1 that i've been near.

    Motor mounts are one thing, but when starting for the first time each day there is a loud and obvious noise that sounds like an electric clutch. Like giant A/C clutch.

    This only happens when the car hasn't run for a while and beyond being an unidentified and unusual noise, there are no symptoms.

    Does anyone have an idea? If there's interest i'll try to record the noise for posterity.
     
    #1 scirocco.wind, Mar 17, 2021
  2. Josey

    Josey Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2019
    290
    111
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    One
    My '03 has always been - very briefly - clattery on start-up since I bought it about 2.5 yrs ago. I always figured it was either dry valve noise or an inverter cooling pump that would tell me something more if it was truly a problem. It always just quiets down and I go on my way. Otherwise I would have looked into it more thoroughly. In other words, other than a little noise, I have no real symptoms.

    Mine also likes to rock when the ICE kicks on/off and I figure that means I'll likely end up replacing the "dog-bone" (torque strut) mount at some point. Or not...
     
    #2 Josey, Mar 18, 2021
  3. scirocco.wind

    scirocco.wind Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2021
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Indeed, this is my goal, so long as there's not some fatal / aggravating problem that's related -- it does seem to be related to outside temp

    thanks for your input!
     
    #3 scirocco.wind, Mar 19, 2021
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