my 07 prius is no more

The cost of a used prius engine installed is only about $1500 to $2000. Way less expensive than another car with payments.

I'm quite confused by this post, wasn't it you just a couple days ago said your car doesn't burn any oil after 3000 miles after switching to mobil conventional oil? How did it suddenly go from that to an engine replacement?

 

how much did they offer you for the 2007? Can't say I've ever read about a timing chain skipping.....ever.

The price gouging dealers probably scared you into trading your car in

 

That 2010 five should be fully loaded, backup camera and navigation screen should be standard

 

no point in looking back, all the best with your 2010! (when you get over the loss, you may want to change your info.)

 

The 2010 V (5) is a very nice level. Our Canadian Touring has some of it's features: the LED headlights and 17" rims to wit. I believe in the US it's also got radar cruise?

 

What do u mean, it's a level 5 prius. It has the LED headlights, fog lights, headlight washers....it should also have 17" wheels with nav & backup camera unless someone went though a lot of trouble to make it look like a level 5 Prii

 

They are LED headlights. The US gen3 only came with halogen or LED headlights.

Something just doesn't seem right.

Do u have a cam on the hatch to the left of the license plate?

 

Wow sorry to hear about your situation. I'm very surprised to hear about your timing chain skipping like that. How many miles did you have in it?
I've wondered to myself whether we are better off with timing belts. They do require replacement, and that costs money, but that is generally cheaper than an engine replacement. I just had timing chain guides break on my 2003 Range Rover so I have been a victim of this as well. I don't have these worries with my 99 Land Cruiser with timing belts.

 

With regards to the Prius, failure of the engine timing chain is a very low probability event, just like failure of the engine itself is a very low probability issue as long as engine oil/oil filter is replaced at a reasonable interval. That is why used engines can be purchased in the low-three digits - plenty of supply, little demand.

 

I wonder if the timing chain problem was the result in some underlying lubrication problem anyway. Aren't the timing chain tensioners hydraulic.

 

I highly doubt the timing chain was the problem. I'd be more inclined to believe the dealer bluffed him on that one but, who really knows. It is more likely a dirty throttle assembly or maybe spark plugs.

Your new to you 2010 is very nice though.

 

FWIW, I have had a timing chain skip on a Buick V6, and it ran very raggedly and at low power and rpms until I could limp it to a dealer for repair. If the chain gets worn beyond the capacity of the tensioner to take up the slack, enough looseness can accumulate to allow the chain to shift around a toothed sprocket.

However, according to what I found in other forums, the Prius engines are "interference" engines where a misaligned camshaft will allow the pistons to hit the cylinders, and that would produce exactly that light metallic "dinging" or "pinging" sound you heard. (I had that happen on a Saturn V6 when the timing belt was extremely worn.) Unfortunately, that means the valves are probably chipped, the tops of the pistons may be dented, and possibly the connecting rods bent, so the repair would be a major overhaul and I would guess that replacing all those parts would probably rival the cost of a used replacement engine. I am surprised, however, that so much wear would occur on a timing chain at such low mileage with modern lubricants. Hmmmm.

In any case, hope you enjoy the 2010!!!

 

Oh, how soon we forget. Toyota de-featured the Gen3 for 2010. To get the backup camera you needed to buy the NAV package. To get the radar cruise control you had to buy the -AT (Advanced Technology) package. Driver door SKS was standard. Three door SKS is bundled in the package.

The 2010 Prius V had three options: Base with the larger wheels & touring suspension, NAV with the navigation display and backup camera, and AT with nav, the Radar Cruise Control, parking assist, Lane Keep Assist & a bunch of other gizmos. I believe a base V is rather uncommon. It wasn't available in my Region.

OP, when was your car built? The "Early Build" does not have a USB port at the back of the compartment in the center armrest. The "Middle Build" added this USB port. The "Late Build" added Safety Connect and there is a button by the rear view mirror.

The Late Build was November 2009. The Middle Build was in the summer, July or August? (I don't remember anymore).

I know what you are going through. The 2010 is not going to drive like the 2007. The difference was very frustrating at first as you have to unlearn everything that worked on the Gen2. The basic concepts are still sound but they need to be applied at different points. In the Gen 3 it is easier to get good fuel economy but harder to get great fuel economy compared to the Gen2. The FE will also be much more consistent tank to tank than the Gen2.

IMO, the recommended tp for the 17" tires is a joke. The car will handle better at max sidewall pressure.

I loved my 2006. Best car I ever had. The 2010 had a lot to live up to. Now, I won't even consider going back.

 

You know, I sympathize too. I loved my Gen I but after driving a Gen II for about 3 months, I didn't want to drive the 01 anymore. I recently rented a Gen III for 9 days while on vacay and I really began to appreciate it. It seemed very easy to get 50 mpg's even my wife was getting 50+.