Transmission Whine/ Whirring

[Velocette]

My Prius 2 has now covered 66k. Overall I have been very pleased with it, just an electrical problem that needed a rescue and visit to the main dealer, otherwise just routine. The first set of tyres did 31k, only 7k in my ownership, and I have just replaced them again. Bridgestones every time and very pleased with them. Of course there's a but. The worn tyres produced more road noise, usual road roar and a whirring noise that I put down to the tyres wearing down. However now reshod it is evident that there is noticeable transmission noise. At one time it was near silent but now it is very evident such that I need to turn up the radio. The noise is a whirring, meshing gear like noise, maybe my imagination but perhaps also a slight vibration through the steering wheel. So is this normal, or a cause for concern? If so any idea of the nature of the problem ,fix needed and cost? After two years and 40+k miles I would not be against trading it in, I feel it has done me well and with 66k and full supplying dealer history should trade in well.

Any thoughts welcome, thanks, Velocette.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

My transmission whines too - when you let the foot of the gas and it starts to coast/charge. It's probably worse than when new but certainly not loud and annoying.

It is possible to change the transmission/transaxle fluid though Toyota dealers stress it is impossible. Instructions can be found on the US Priuschat forum and it is IMPERATIVE that the correct type of fluid is used or expect more problems than you solve. Apparantly Toyota say it is sealed for life, but they're in the business of selling you a new(er) car, whereas in America it is normal for a private owner to keep their car for a long time and run them upto 250,000+ miles.

I'm in two minds whether to trade my car in - so won't replace the fluid, but if I decide to keep the car I'll get my local specialist to do the job.

Perhaps Parts King could clarify?

[pmf]

Hi, are you sure its definately not a front or both front wheel bearings. I had what sounded similar on my Gen 2 at around 3 years old/40000 miles and it turned out to be either one or both front wheel bearings. The mechanic wasn't sure if one or both were noisy after his test drive with me and ordered both in. It was done under warranty and I'm not sure if in the end one or both were replaced.

The noise did gradually got worse over time and the wheel bearings sorted out my issue but initially I did think it was connected to the transmission. May be worth getting the front wheel bearings checked first.

[kithmo]

I would agree with pmf, wheel bearing. Is it noisier when cornering one way as opposed the other.

E.g. If it's worse turning left, it's usually the right hand bearing, the noise increases as the cars weight transfers to the right and more load is put on the right hand wheel. The opposite applies if it's noisier turning right.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Not the wheel bearings in mine. Had them checked, once back at MOT time (taxi mot from year 1) in October and again in Feb when getting checked for a rattle.

It's definitely the transmission. It's not the whine from the inverter, more a sound similar to an old Austin Metro gearbox - just not as loud!

[timberwolf]

Another example of the Gen 3 not being as good as the Gen 2?

The OP mentions a possibility of vibration felt in the steering, I'd go along with investigating wheel bearings, CV joints and brakes, before thinking it was general transmission wear (which I've not heard about until now)

[Grumpy Cabbie]

I will be getting rid of mine this year. It just doesn't seem as good as I thought and the trade in value is POOR. The mpg's are still great but it just doesn't seem to be going the course at the mileage. It's looking a little bit tired inside at 65k whereas I had a Peugeot (of all things) that looked like new inside at 100k. Then there's the 3 steering racks at £1,200 each plus vat and fitting and the hybrid ecu at £750 + vat and fitting which I had under warranty and now the transaxle whine. It just isn't filling me with confidence for the future, or at least it could land me with a large bill. What happens when steering rack #4 goes pop?

I had the dealer on the other day trying to get me to buy a new car, but went away when I indicated that I wouldn't want a new car that loses two thirds its value in just over 2 years. He even admitted that the higher warranty versions demand a higher price.

In two minds what to do and what to get. Trade in for something different and new (tempted for the Fluence ZE) or just hand the car back once it reaches that half way point in the HP agreement (May or June I think), then any loss of value because of the reduced warranty is Toyota Finances problem not mine.

[Velocette]

Thanks very much for all the comments folks. Yes wheel bearings were definitely on my radar but absolutely no movement that I can detect by hand, and also it does not vary when turning or veering left or right. Funnily enough the last wheel bearing I had was front left on an Audi a6 on 100k plus. A brilliant car and the only thing that went wrong in 134k. The noise is "meshy" and certainly sounds as if it comes from higher up than ground level and in front of the dashboard - or perhaps I am talking myself into a transmission problem! GC's comments in that regard are very interesting. I am not inclined to change the oil in he absence of any other remedial work. Having done 40+k in less than two years I am actually thinking of part exchanging for a skoda superb diesel. Partly because it is a cheap Audi, but also as I do want to tow a boat which of course is not possible with the Prius. I like the car but am beginning to feel that I have had the best of it and to avoid problems now might be the time. Thanks all and any further thoughts very welcome. Velocette.

[Velocette]

Thanks very much for all the comments folks. Yes wheel bearings were definitely on my radar but absolutely no movement that I can detect by hand, and also it does not vary when turning or veering left or right. Funnily enough the last wheel bearing I had was front left on an Audi a6 on 100k plus. A brilliant car and the only thing that went wrong in 134k. The noise is "meshy" and certainly sounds as if it comes from higher up than ground level and in front of the dashboard - or perhaps I am talking myself into a transmission problem! GC's comments in that regard are very interesting. I am not inclined to change the oil in he absence of any other remedial work. Having done 40+k in less than two years I am actually thinking of part exchanging for a skoda superb diesel. Partly because it is a cheap Audi, but also as I do want to tow a boat which of course is not possible with the Prius. I like the car but am beginning to feel that I have had the best of it and to avoid problems now might be the time. Thanks all and any further thoughts very welcome. Velocette.

[sjrainsford]

It's perfectly normal for them to make a whining sound, the Gen2 seems to do it more than the 3 in my experience. It should only really do it under light throttle/ coasting. Mine doesn't make a sound when accelerating or anything like that. They will make a humming sound too when braking and doing a lot of regen.

[kithmo]

FWIW, wheel bearings can be noisy without play in them.

[Chippy01]

Now isn't that strange?

Recently, I have noticed a strange whine/whirr sound coming from (what appears to be) the front of my Gen 2 also.

The mileage on mine is running around 66,800+ at the moment, and I've noticed the sound over the past 1,000 miles or so.

First off, I thought about the transmission and/or something to do with the electric motors. Then I thought about possible tyre noise. The tyres are fairly new (less than 10,000 on them), and only a mid-range tyre.

I can distinguish easily enough between the engine noise under accelleration, and the sound produced when regenerating, but this whirr/whine is completely different.

To try and eliminate something, I picked a fairly good road and with no traffic following I shifted the transmission into N and just coasted for a bit. The noise was still there, and the pitch changed slightly as the speed dropped off. When the speed dropped to about 25mph the noise had all but disappeared.

The steering is as tight as normal, no shake or shudder on the road, and there is no drifting in any direction either.

My next service is due at 70,000, and I'll mention it to the service manager when it goes in.

Question is, is this a known issue with the Gen 2's, the wheel bearings going bad around the 60/70,000 mile mark, or just unlucky?

[Grumpy Cabbie]

My next service is due at 70,000, and I'll mention it to the service manager when it goes in.

Question is, is this a known issue with the Gen 2's, the wheel bearings going bad around the 60/70,000 mile mark, or just unlucky?

Yes it does appear that there is an issue with wheel bearings, at least according to the US forums. Some of the American taxi drivers who run a Prius say they use aftermarket bearings as they last longer!?! No I don't know which make.

However, I guess the whine or whirr depends on differing peoples cars and ears. My whine (from the car - not me :) ) is transmission related - if I accelerate it whines, I let off the gas and it stops, I accelerate it whines again. To me that isn't a wheel bearing.

[sjrainsford]

Yeah mine neither Grumpy. It's most noticable at around 32 ish mph on mine. I had mine with 30k on the clock and it was doing it then.

[Chippy01]

Well, I had my Prius checked out at the local Toyota garage today.

Turns out that the right hand front wheel bearing is on the way out.

Now, the question is, when I get the right hand bearing done would it be prudent to get the left one done at the same time?

[pmf]

I wouldn't replace a bearing that didn't require it. I don't know if you were given a quote but I don't think they are cheap and I don't think doing two at once will save you anything. The other bearing could last for years. It soemtimes happens that one will fail much earlier than another.

[Priusadmirer]

My transmission whines too - when you let the foot of the gas and it starts to coast/charge. It's probably worse than when new but certainly not loud and annoying.

It is possible to change the transmission/transaxle fluid though Toyota dealers stress it is impossible. Instructions can be found on the US Priuschat forum and it is IMPERATIVE that the correct type of fluid is used or expect more problems than you solve. Apparantly Toyota say it is sealed for life, but they're in the business of selling you a new(er) car, whereas in America it is normal for a private owner to keep their car for a long time and run them upto 250,000+ miles.

I'm in two minds whether to trade my car in - so won't replace the fluid, but if I decide to keep the car I'll get my local specialist to do the job.

Perhaps Parts King could clarify?

This exact issue just starting happening with my 2002 Prius last week. Our local Toyota guy suspected it was the transmission, and then we brought it to the dealership for their opinion, which was the same. Both recommended ridding ourselves of the car. As we are penny pinchers, I found your post here and will talk with our local guy tomorrow about it. If fluid will possibly change the course, it will be cheaper than investing in a new or good used Prius, for sure. Thanks so much for your post, Grumpie Cabbie.

[MEP's Yaris GS]

FWIW, wheel bearings can be noisy without play in them.

Just to Eco this, our Yaris had sever wear on its rear bearings, the noise was something else, but absolutely no play in them or increased tyre wear.

[BILL 3042]

The CVT transmission on my 2009 Camry Hybrid just failed.  (I don't live in the UK but in Charlotte, NC, USA.)  It had only 91777 miles on it.  I was told by the local dealer that it would cost $6600 to replace so I went the used route and replaced it with a 26k tranny out of a 2009 Hybrid for only $2200.  The updated transmission works but it definitely exhibits the whining noise that some members have commented on.  It is definitely different than anything I've heard before.  I really enjoyed this car until I the transmission failed and am disappointed that the cheaper fix resulted in this noise.  I was told by the local dealer (who fully agreed it made no sense to spend $6600 on a car hardly worth $7000) that the noise was most like coming from the ring gear which rotates at different speeds according to speed and engine load.  The service agent says that there's not much you can do about it.  Incidentally, to those commenting on whether you can change the transmission oil, you definitely can.  The installer replaced the oil in this used transmission.  I'm told the process takes awhile but it's definitely doable.  Any comments regarding my post would be greatly appreciated.