Buying a 2010 Prius Misfire CEL On

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Frontporch, Oct 9, 2019.

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  1. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    I currently own a 2007 Prius nearing 200K miles. I have always wanted to get a newer Prius with a solar roof. A 2010 Prius is for sale, with just over 200K miles, but in conversation with the owner, I learned it has an engine light on for cylinder misfire. Current owner has only had the car for a little over a year. Toyota service records don't show anything out of the ordinary.

    Reading about the possible causes for misfire on this engine, it appears it could be anything from plugs, coil, EGR, fuel injection to piston rings. Not knowing much about these motors, other than they have had issues, I was hoping someone out there could provide guidance on what to ask, what to check when I look at the car, and maybe even what to avoid. I am not opposed to working on the car to the point of an engine swap if need be, but that worst case doesn't look like an inexpensive proposition, even if I do the labor.

    Thanks.
     
    #1 Frontporch, Oct 9, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    don't forget the head gasket

    probably simplest to price out a low mile or rebuilt engine plus installation, and deduct it from your offer, unless you're going to diy
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 9, 2019
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  3. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    My take, FWIW: don't put your hopes on ANOTHER 200K car just because it has a solar roof (which ain't that big of a deal, IMO; I have one. Nice, but no game changer..).
     
    #3 Ed Beaty, Oct 9, 2019
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    THIS. Especially one with warning lights ON.
    Think this through.
    It is NOT a good idea.
    The odds are against you.
     
    #4 sam spade 2, Oct 9, 2019
  5. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Skip it...find another one. I'd be thinking twice about it even if it were free. Unless you just enjoy the process of engine swapping, wtc.....as some do.
     
    #5 bettergolf, Oct 9, 2019
  6. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    I know its hard to diagnose a car you haven't seen or know a good maintenance history about, but would you assume that a 2010 with that mileage has a reasonable chance of this being a motor that needs work internally? Yes. forgot about the head gasket, thanks!

    On the issue of motor replacements, the 2004-2009 seemed plentiful and inexpensive, does anybody know the interchange for a 2010? Looks like a 1.8L. Were there years that fixed issues with oil consumption and head gasket failure?
     
    #6 Frontporch, Oct 9, 2019
  7. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    The 2015's are the best...you can find available engines at car-part.com
     
    #7 bettergolf, Oct 9, 2019
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What's the price?
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Oct 9, 2019
  9. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    Its a Prius IV, 205K miles asking is $4500.
    Looks like a replacement engine (long block) is anywhere from $1200-1800.
    I did notice in the service history records that the previous owner brought the car into a Toyota dealer with an engine shake and they noted low oil level.. 182K miles. So its not as clean as I thought.
     
    #9 Frontporch, Oct 9, 2019
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Don't think there is any such thing.
    There is a V model......and a trim level 4......but pretty sure that IV doesn't exist.
     
    #10 sam spade 2, Oct 9, 2019
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think you're thinking of Prius v (lower case), 2010 onwards.

    2010 (and 2011?) US Prius came in II, III, IV and V. There was also I, but was rare, just sold in fleets?

    I wouldn't touch it for that price. Likely having head gasket failure, 200K miles, if the owner brought that into a dealership for trade-in, I think it would be a "pity" trade, maybe $500, a grand at most.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Oct 9, 2019
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  12. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    This thread has been a surprise. I really thought the issues would be rare, even at this high mileage.

    If there is a silver lining I would also like to hear that side but I do appreciate the common sense approach to avoiding what could be a big headache
     
    #12 Frontporch, Oct 9, 2019
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  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I sold our 2010 Prius II in April for $4500 which had 200k miles on it;).

    But it didn’t have the potential issues you’re staring down:cool:.

    If not the DIY type, there are other fish in the sea :).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #13 Raytheeagle, Oct 9, 2019
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  14. Lovec1990

    Lovec1990 Junior Member

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    does your 2007 still work ok if so wait for another one with solar roof personaly i would avoid it unless you gonna do engine swap
     
    #14 Lovec1990, Oct 10, 2019
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  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    AND.....I hope he realizes what the "solar roof" really does.
     
    #15 sam spade 2, Oct 10, 2019
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    IIRC there's been reports here lately, failure of some seals on the solar roof?
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Oct 10, 2019
  17. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    To be honest, I wouldn’t even buy that vehicle even w/o a CEL because your going to need an additional fund saved up to get an engine replacement and also downtime.
     
    #17 Grit, Oct 10, 2019
  18. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    This exact scenario is quite common in my area all the time. 2010-2011 with 200k and CEL. But they are priced about 2500, not the 4500 the OP listed. At 2500 it’s a better deal, but still a hard sell. If you are the DIY type, you would be around 2k with engine, fluids, and incidentals. That’s 6500 on a 5k car that the battery could die tomorrow, or last another 100k.
     
    #18 cnc97, Oct 10, 2019
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  19. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    The outer seal peels off the solar roof. Mine is completely gone. However, the inner seal is still intact. No liquid intrusion into the car, but I get pine needles and other junk between the glass and the metal roof thru the gaps around the glass and solar panel.
     
    #19 cnc97, Oct 10, 2019
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyota saying anything, other'n "pound sand"?
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Oct 11, 2019
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