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Replaced head gasket. And then...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020.

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  1. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    I replaced the head gasket on my ‘10 Prius. It was leaking between the #1, and #2 cylinder. After I replaced the gasket now it is leaking into all cylinders. I checked the deck and head for clearance. Also, I used the correct torque specs. Any idea what is caused this? The head gasket I used was Ultra-power from Rock Auto and the head bolts were from them as well. They were Apex. Any ideas? I do not want to tear the motor down again without a solution before I start.
     
    #1 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Coolant leaking into all four cylinders?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Mar 20, 2020
  3. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    Yes
     
    #3 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
  4. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    How were the surfaces prepped?

    MLS head gaskets are very sensitive to surface finish.
     
    #4 The Critic, Mar 20, 2020
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  5. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    I cleaned them with a razor blade. However, I have replaced a head gasket on another Prius with this same method and did not have any problems with that car.

    And I do understand the tolerances of a mls gasket and was very careful not to gouge the head or block.
     
    #5 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Maybe what they say here, about dragging the head after dropping down on the new head gasket??:



    To check for that, look for gaps all around the seam.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Mar 20, 2020
  7. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    I watch that video prior to
    Doing the job and I was carful about that too.
     
    #7 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
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  8. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Ultra-power isn’t exactly a quality brand of gaskets, so my guess is that the gasket itself failed.

    I would stay with Fel-Pro, Stone or the dealer gasket kit.
     
    #8 The Critic, Mar 20, 2020
  9. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    Would there be a difference in design between the gaskets? The gasket itself wouldn’t have failed on all 4 cylinders on initial start up.
     
    #9 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
  10. The Critic

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    If the thickness is incorrect I can foresee a sealing issue.
     
    #10 The Critic, Mar 20, 2020
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  11. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    Its hard to make an argument about quality of a head gasket manufacturer without specific differences between different designs. Just because one is cheaper in price doesn’t make it any worse of a product.
     
    #11 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
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  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Well, you'll certainly have to remove it. I would do it carefully and see if there is anything that got
    stuck on either side of the gasket. Not sure if it's possible, but maybe it is on upside down?
    Or maybe it's not the correct one? Just some ideas...

     
    #12 ASRDogman, Mar 20, 2020
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Don't think it could be upside down anyway, the head is not symmetrical left/right or front/back.

    upload_2020-3-20_15-36-5.png
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Mar 20, 2020
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  14. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    I am planning on taking the head off and machining both the block and head. Even though I measured the clearance, I am at a complete loss for why I am getting water in every cylinder.
     
    #14 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
  15. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    I was just hoping someone else had this issue and can point me in the right direction.
     
    #15 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Just for the record:

    upload_2020-3-20_16-20-22.png
    upload_2020-3-20_16-21-31.png
     

    Attached Files:

    #16 Mendel Leisk, Mar 20, 2020
  17. The Critic

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    While your logic is sound, my real-world experiences with aftermarket parts says otherwise. Parts quality seems to be get worse every year and I have been burned enough times to only purchase from known-good suppliers.
     
    #17 The Critic, Mar 20, 2020
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could the head be warped?
     
    #18 bisco, Mar 20, 2020
  19. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Since you've replaced a Prius head gasket before, I take it you did all the above from Mendel's post?
    But did you check the head to see if it was warped? With a known GOOD straightedge?
    As much as I hate to state it, "assuming" the gasket was good, surfaces clean, head bolts tightened in correct
    order and torque, then the head is likely warped, or cracked.
     
    #19 ASRDogman, Mar 20, 2020
  20. Daniel Richard

    Daniel Richard Member

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    I did buy a machinist straight edge to verify it wasn’t warped.
     
    #20 Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020
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