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

Noise coming from engine compartment

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by agrigento, May 14, 2024.

  1. agrigento

    agrigento Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2019
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Valparaiso, IN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Weird noise coming from engine compartment, mostly hear when engine is idle or at low rpms. Any ideas?

    Some background> I got a P0456 back in November 2023 (Evaporative Control System Leak Detected (very small leak...), according to Torque. I reset the code and hasn't come back. I also know the 3 way water valve is faulty, and it's been like that for a couple of years at least. '08 with almost 175K on the clock.

    link to video to hear the noise: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4QM35eXXVAnJCj5c9
    link to audio file (the audio is better): https://photos.app.goo.gl/4QM35eXXVAnJCj5c9

    Thanks in advance for your insight!
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,372
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Man that car sounds terrible. I have no idea what you got going on there valve train noise low on oil maybe.
     
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,489
    5,056
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Same link twice
     
  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,404
    6,062
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Assuming your oil is ok, it's likely the engine water pump or idler pulley going bad.

    I'd like to think the ticking valve train sounds horrible because the recording is so close to the engine.
    The noise I'm talking about is that semi-random metallic groan/clunk that happens in the background of the tikking.
     
  5. agrigento

    agrigento Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2019
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Valparaiso, IN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thanks for your replies so far! I also want to think it's water pump related. Oil is not low. Here's the link for the audio file just in case you can "take a look"

     
  6. agrigento

    agrigento Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2019
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Valparaiso, IN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Just an update: it was the water pump. Replaced (mostly a friend of mine) the part and coolant fluid, and noise was gone. Also replaced the coolant control valve as I knew it was faulty. Used original Toyota parts and fluid. Very happy with the results!

    I am now turning my attention to another issue: the front ABS sensor(s). No codes, but the ABS get activated randomly when not needed. I'll try cleaning the sensor, but if a replacement is needed, do you guys think this is something that needs to be an original part (expensive) or would a cheap ebay part would do? Difference in price is use, like 10 to 1.
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,372
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    No I think that's the traction control grabbing. ABS is activated every time you apply the brakes they're anti-lock brakes with vehicle skid control and/or traction control The traction and skid control when it's activated it I guess could feel to some people like some kind of breaking was being activated I guess I would think that's what's happening because the ABS works all the time unless there's a problem with the brake actuator and you will have an exclamation point The VSC and the ABS light all lit up in orange those are your brake light warning lights for the most part and they're very accurate so ABS sensors what do we meaning by that those are the wheel sensors on each of the four wheels and you're thinking the front ones are acting up maybe they're just snatched out of their sockets and broken I see that a lot You just take some off of junk car go buy new ones the plug is way up in the top by the strut tower in the front plug them in screw them in and let it rip but I doubt your ABS is activating on and off because generally it's on all the time It can't really go away until the break actuator is defective or something along those lines.
     
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,372
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    You can use run of the mill wheel sensors there's nothing really to these You do not have to buy the expensive Toyota part there should be dozens of aftermarket fitments usually these don't go bad they get ripped out by being poorly mounted or not being resecured after a brake job I have them laying all on the floor here in the shop because when I strip a car and take it apart I just throw them to the side somebody needs them or we use them we do If not they eventually wind up in the trash no matter the cost.
     
  9. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,668
    1,715
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If the ABS "falsely" activates while braking, then check the front wheel speed sensors. Specifically where the sensors mount on the steering knuckle.

    Corrosion can form under the sensor and "jack" it up - away from the tone ring on the axle. This weakens the signal sent to the ecu, which interprets it as wheel lockup.

    Be very gentle with the sensor mounting bolts - they are small and might be seized in the knuckle.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  10. agrigento

    agrigento Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2019
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Valparaiso, IN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thank you Tombukt2 and mr_guy_mann. I think you are both on the money. I was referring to the wheel speed sensors. I was explained that when the computer reads different speeds from the tires while breaking, the ABS activates, "falsely" in my case. This started happening after replacing the wheel bearings on the right side, and my mechanic showed me the sensor, it had picked up a bunch of tiny metal fragments (it's a like a magnet). I had to leave town that very same day and he couldn't get the part right away, so he cleaned it but told me I would have to clean it again or replace it. Good to know I can just go with the cheap ones.

    However, I am also concerned the actuator might be going bad. This happened on a 2007 I had--I had the music on all the time and it was the VCS/ABS lights that warned me when it was too late. I am paying a lot more attention on my 08. How often should you hear the actuator building pressure? I hear it pretty much every other time I hit the brakes and sometimes (not very often) randomly when I get my feet off the brakes and start accelerating.

    Thank you for any tips you can offer!