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

Engine knocking noise, poor mileage, no codes

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by snowboarder, Jun 29, 2020.

  1. snowboarder

    snowboarder Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have a 2007 Gen2 with 296500 miles... So close!
    Does use oil to the tune of about 1 qt / 1000. Oil is topped up.

    The engine runs with a knock. It seems to be on the right side.
    Mileage down from 49 mpg to 36.

    No codes.
    Torque shows the battery is balanced. 16+ volts +/- 0.1v
    When first started and when running at higher RPMs the knock gets quieter.
    - At the same time when running faster Torque reports the HV current to be 4.2 Amp.
    When I let off the gas, Torque reports The HV current to be -21 Amps (in park)
    More pedal is required to maintain the same speeds.

    I looked through the threads and could not see any thing similar.

    There seems to be some electrical load kicking in.

    Thanks for any help.

    -Peter
     
    #1 snowboarder, Jun 29, 2020
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,817
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Blown engine not providing enough power to spin mgs to charge a hungry battery.
     
    #2 edthefox5, Jun 30, 2020
    strawbrad likes this.
  3. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2011
    953
    1,002
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II

    On four Prius I have seen a broken piston skirt cause these issues. As Edthefox said it's the engine that can't make the power to move the car and charge the battery.

    First things to check would be to clean the MAF sensor and remove and inspect the spark plugs.

    After eliminating the easy stuff removing the oil pan to inspect for engine chunks would confirm a blown engine.

    I'm in MN. Feel free to call if you need help.
     
    #3 strawbrad, Jun 30, 2020
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  4. kens97uber171

    kens97uber171 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2018
    177
    132
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Definitely do the normal tune-up stuff. New spark plugs clean the MAF, air filter.
    If you get a minor misfire in these engines they make a hell of a racket. Especially with a really bad miss.
    I think it's the uneven firing of the gasoline engine creating a bunch of back and forth gear lashing inside the transaxle definitely sounds like a rod knock. Something easy to try.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 kens97uber171, Jul 1, 2020
    GrayRaceCat likes this.
  5. snowboarder

    snowboarder Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the input.

    I was unfortunately thinking catastrophic engine issues. But, taking a look at the plugs and the sensors will be an easy start.
    Dropping the oil pan may be a bit messy but not too difficult.

    I'll be looking into it this 3 day weekend.
     
    #5 snowboarder, Jul 2, 2020
  6. snowboarder

    snowboarder Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I put in plugs and cleaned up the sensors. It helped a little.

    Finally family and weather cooperated this morning and I dropped the oil pan.

    Yup, piston skirt.... Dang. :(

    I'm handy but old enough these days not wanting to do an engine swap myself.

    I have seen some engines available locally for less than $2k with less than 150k miles.

    What is the going rate on an engine swap these days?
    (Minnepolis, MN)

    Thanks,

    -Peter
     
    #6 snowboarder, Jul 19, 2020
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,135
    50,051
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    that sounds very high for an old engine
     
    #7 bisco, Jul 19, 2020
  8. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2011
    953
    1,002
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    For less than that you should be able to buy and have installed a good engine. Use car-part dot com to find engines. LKQ Viking in Northfield has a 123K mile engine for $480. Randy's Auto Salvage Eau-Claire WI has a 133K engine and transmission for $300. It's actually less work to replace the engine and tranny together.




    I hear you on being old enough to not want to replace the engine even though you have the ability to do so. Last year I paid $800 to have the engine swap done.

    You will find that many repair shops don't want to replace engines. I think they can make better money doing more smaller repairs. If you want I check check with a couple of shops that are not scared off by hybrids.
     
    #8 strawbrad, Jul 21, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2020
    GrayRaceCat likes this.
  9. seeker311

    seeker311 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2018
    43
    16
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Same issue as Peter. Dropped oil pan 2 weeks ago. Found piston skirt. Still driving, but this morning I saw the hybrid battery not charging and no power. Ice revs, but car does not move like it should. Gonna buy a Gen 3 with blown motor and swap a 4th gen into it. Thanks for the info everyone.
    DSC_4685.JPG DSC_4686.JPG

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 seeker311, Jun 4, 2021
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,677
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Jun 5, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)