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Prius C EGR

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by mikey_t, Apr 17, 2019.

  1. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    Hey all,

    A friend of mine is in need of a car and his budget is a bit tight. He said he was considering a prius and I advised him away from a used gen III b/c of the EGR issues, but suggested that a prius C might do well for him. His budget would only allow for something used and likely with around 100k miles on it. Do prius C's also have clogged EGRs when the miles pile up? Are there any issues to be aware of with older C's? Or are they just super reliable? Any tips much appreciated. Thanks.
     
    #1 mikey_t, Apr 17, 2019
  2. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    I haven't heard of clogged EGRs on the C and also not on the Gen 3. Are there any big threads on the subject?

    I would expect the conditions for such a event to occur would in cold climate and short driving distances. Fuel additives or lack there of could also be of suspect.
     
    #2 priusCpilot, Apr 18, 2019
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Neither the Gen 2 nor the C have EGR issues. (same engine)

    By 2015, Gen 3 had new pistons and rings to address the EGR issue there. (so 2010 to 2014 may be at risk)
     
    #3 JimboPalmer, Apr 18, 2019
  4. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    EGR cleaning is not that bad of a job to take on. Should not cause you to not consider a Gen3
     
    #4 orenji, Apr 18, 2019
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  5. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    The piston rings address oil burning, from what I've read here 2015s still have EGR issues. 2015 would also be out of his budget.
     
    #5 mikey_t, Apr 18, 2019
  6. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    There are many threads, large and small, in the Gen III section on the subject. From what I've read the conditions that lead to a clogged EGR is just lots of driving as around 100k miles EGRs start to get really dirty, by 130k you're looking at a clog. I cleaned mine at 145k and it was completely plugged. I shot brake cleaner into one end and nothing came out the other.
     
    #6 mikey_t, Apr 18, 2019
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I agree. Especially if you're willing/capable to DIY the cleaning. Still, Toyota and dealerships are not exactly staying on top of this:

    1. They don't seem to be open to parts cleaning, prefer to just swap parts, and the EGR valve and cooler retail for well over $500 US in total.

    2. The labour to remove/install, should be around 4~5 hours? That is going to be expensive.

    3. The dealerships and Toyota seem largely "in denial" on this. Toyota uses expressions like "while the majority of owners will not experience this". Yeah right...

    Too, in their Fourth Gen Prius sales brochure, they make mention of "improved" EGR. This is an oddly technical note for an "executive summary" sales pitch.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Apr 18, 2019
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  8. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    My friend lives in an apartment with street parking and is not what I would describe as a "handy" person. It is out of the question.
     
    #8 mikey_t, Apr 18, 2019
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Sounds like Prius c are ok anyway.

    Guess I was drifting off-topic.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Apr 18, 2019
  10. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    Thanks I'll read about.

    What brand gas were using and have you owned your Prius since new?
     
    #10 priusCpilot, Apr 18, 2019
  11. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    No, I bought my prius used just recently at 145k miles. The carfax shows a solid maintenance record. My somewhat educated guess is that pushing the engine creates more carbon that get clogged in the EGR and intake manifold. If one drives like a grandma then their systems might be a little cleaner. But I couldn't in good concious recommend my friend buy a used gen III that has around 100k miles in which he'd have to immediately go under the hood, just to potentially mitigate the real issue of a blown head gasket from an engine that wasn't cooled properly over so many miles. If he had the budget for a 2015 with low miles I totally would, but that isn't the case. Thus I recommended a C for it's reliability. I've googled the subject and it does seem like the C's don't suffer from clogged EGRs. Though I do appreciate any tips about the C that I can pass along.
     
    #11 mikey_t, Apr 18, 2019
  12. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Make friends with handy people!
     
    #12 orenji, Apr 18, 2019
  13. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    PriusC has the same engine as the Gen2. So it should not be an issue. I owned a PriusC. Liked the car, but I love the Gen3 more! It’s just so much better in every way.
     
    #13 orenji, Apr 18, 2019
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  14. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    My theory on this EGR issue for the Gen 3 is that the fuel additive plays a roll. It seems the EGR on it is more suitable to clogging and running a low grade fuel makes much more carbon. If a powerful cleaner is introduced threw the intake system it should help loosen and dissolve the carbon. This is a baby issue and would not effect my purchase at all compared out reliability the whole package is. With that said I would still take the C over the Gen 3 hands down because I like it's light wight nimble package more.
     
    #14 priusCpilot, Apr 19, 2019
  15. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Package more? How so?
     
    #15 orenji, Apr 19, 2019
  16. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    The smaller C packaging.
     
    #16 priusCpilot, Apr 19, 2019
  17. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    It is smaller, but I can advise the Gen3 with a rear sway bar from TRD or another brand makes the car handle amazing. Throw in a front strut bar and you can take on most cars through the curves. I liked my C, but the Gen3 offers so much more.
     
    #17 orenji, Apr 19, 2019
  18. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    It is always a matter of opinion on cars and we have 2 gen 3s as well in my family. For me it's no question small packing and light weight nimble driving. The C is also the MPG king below 67MPH vs Gen 3.
     
    #18 priusCpilot, Apr 19, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2019
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  19. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Agreed :)
     
    #19 orenji, Apr 19, 2019
  20. landspeed

    landspeed Active Member

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    Agreed; the C is very efficient; can get much better MPG in a 2012 C than my 2007 Prius; in addition to the car being lighter, the programming of the hybrid system is different, and is more 'aggressive' at keeping the engine off when possible, it can coast faster than a Gen 2 before the ICE spins up to protect MG1 etc. I have been able to get below 2.0l/100km for longish journeys (around 30-40km) in a Prius C, as long as there is no-one behind me, and no passenger to get annoyed!
     
    #20 landspeed, May 10, 2019
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