2007 Prius Repair (Hyb Batt & MG with Hole in Bottom So Far)

welcome!
sounds like all you need is the engine. what makes you think anything else is bad?

 

You could try retrieving the diagnostic trouble codes by using Mini VCI (Toyota Techstream clone). However some of the logged codes may result from the engine not being fully operative. I don't think you can have high confidence in the codes that are logged while the engine is impaired. You also need to replace the 12V battery because as long as you have a dead battery installed, most of the ECUs will clear their memories once the jump battery is removed and the car is turned off, Thus most DTC will be lost.

You don't have much invested in the car at the moment. You'll have to decide whether it is worth your labor effort to install the $300 replacement engine.

 

Confused why you tried to start a motor that has a big hole in the side of the block?

Pretty classic ending to what is starting to become commonplace on this site and thats the engine was run dry by the seller because no one ever checks there oil anymore. Even after the engine started making really bad sounds they continued to drive it till the engine threw a piston out the side of the motor. Usually cylinder #3. See that alot here.

You went there to buy a car? You never opened the hood either till you got home? Lol...When you go to buy a car what else is there to look at on a non running car?

Very poorly maintained car. Try to find an engine/trans combo because the trans is probably toast too. You never mentioned miles but I'm thinking 220000+.

Then your looking at rebuilding the hybrid battery for sure. And whatever else is destroyed. If it was me I would sell it for $1100.

 

Seller should have paid the OP $200 to take the car off his hands.

I am amazed at todays drivers and buyers.

Drivers: What's a dip stick?
Buyers: A hood release? I don't wear any hoodies.​

1) What possessed you to buy a car w/o even opening the engine hood?
2) Is this a project car? How much disposable money do you, your parents, or benefactor have?

3) Start w/ replacing the obvious broken part (engine), then proceed from there.

 

Enough scolding! Let our experts offer there advise about how to move ahead.

 

Well, if you wanted a project, you sure have one.

First thing is to decide if it might be worth putting in a used engine. Lots of people have done that in Prii that are otherwise in good shape.

The catch is that it's hard to evaluate the rest of the car without replacing the engine. Since it's been run into the ground with apparently zero maintenance done to it, I think my two inclinations would be to part it out or try to get a few buck for the whole thing from either a dealer who will auction it or another individual who wants a parts car.

 

i don't see how it was an expensive mistake. how much is a 2007 with a running engine worth?

 

around here, ebb shows $3,700. private party average in fair condition

 

Fair enough. Throw that $300 engine in there and see how she does.

 

You don't need to be an "expert" to come to the obvious conclusion: start by replacing the engine.

Remember, OP said "hole in the bottom of the engine".​

 

If this is a project car and OP has disposable hobby money, proceed w/ repairs and enjoy process.

If OP does not have disposable hobby money, this car will likely become death by a thousand cuts, given the poor maintenance and all the unknowns. OP should strongly consider selling the car to the dealer offering $485; see if he can get a little bit more, maybe $700, so this ordeal is only a $300 lesson.

The KBB values you both are citing are for a working vehicle. The market will ultimately dictate what the best price is.

Data points: FAIR condition (KBB doesn't have Poor Condition as an option), 2007 base(speculation), grey color, 144,500 miles (Post #7), Ann Arbor Zip code.

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Currently, the car is NOT in a reasonable running condition. Title unknown; salvage titled vehicles command lower values.

Confirmed: engine replacement required. $300 for a pre-identified one.
Likely: HV Battery bad; based on previous owners comments and given the 2007 model year and mileage.
Unknown: A lot. Until a working engine is installed, won't know what else is wrong.

$1000 (project vehicle) + $300 (engine) + $51 ($17/gal SLLC x 3gal) + $100 (2-3 HV battery modules) + $150 (12V AGM battery) = $1601

$1601 (repair parts)/ $3600 (low end of OPs KBB speculated value) = 44.5% spent of the car's speculated low end value, just to get the gas engine running, with minimal part replacement.

A prudent used engine replacement would include these: thermostat, water pump,belt, idler pulley, spark plugs, PCV, air filter.​

Getting a HV Battery running can be all over the place, depending on what OP wants to do: cheap (module replacement and frequent breakdowns) to costly (new OEM replacement): $100 to $1700. Only OP knows what he wants and how much he is willing to spend.

Once the gas engine is running: these are other possible repairs to be ruled out: radiator, transaxle, AC system, ABS, Inverter, inverter pump, 3-way coolant control valve, suspension, brakes, bearings, etc.

Death by a thousand cuts, as problems get revealed.​

 

crapshoot, no doubt. but that is what o/p bought into. nothing has really changed except education of possibilities

 

all the best! please keep us updated