2011 Prius Symptoms

I'd retire the car. It sounds like hybrid battery is dying which is no longer covered under the 10yr / 150k mile CARB warranty (if originally purchased in a CARB state), but if the head gasket is blown then it's not worth the time and money to get it fixed unless you can do it yourself.

 

Classic head gasket and very likely a failing hv battery. Retirement might be best or else a replacement engine and new cells for the battery, at least $5k if you shop. Maybe Gasketmasters would change the hg alone for less and you could get a "rebuilt" battery for 2/3 overall but reliability would then be a concern. Be sure to check out your replacement car options first, used car prices are high now and some new cars are getting harder to find.

 

I would also verify your brake pump and master cylinder are not excessively running before committing to a repair for the rest of the car.

 

You have quite a lot of miles on your car. I also put high miles on my Prii, and I know from experience that it's possible to limp along for quite a long time, albeit with real risk of a breakdown and getting stranded. What part of CA are you in? I'm in So Cal and may be able to refer you to someone who could help you with cheaper repairs. Also, I might be interested in buying your car if you decide to retire it. You also just might be able to do a very few things, if you're lucky, and get the check engine light to stay out long enough to pass a smog test. Of course getting a new car, with good warranty, would take away a lot of the stress which is always present when you know your car has serious issues.

 

Well, I'm far from an expert. I keep my Prii limping along until I either get a newer one, or find the time to really fix them. If I was in your shoes, and from what you've told me, I would look into tightening the cylinder head bolts, if accessing them is practical. You say you have 2 plugs possibly misfiring - I would look closely at the plug wires (rats love eating them) and the plugs (again, if practical - some things are hard to reach and the job can become a "real repair"). If practical I'd change the plugs - all or the misfiring ones. I'd keep the coolant level topped off on a frequent basis. Also disconnecting the 12 V battery will make the check engine light, and the other fault lights, go away for a while. Of course if the faults still remain these lights will come back on. But, as I said, if you're lucky there's a finite possibility that they stay off for the smog test. Sometimes you can also get away with charging the 12 V battery while it's disconnected. Next I would consider "reconditioning" the HV battery using Prolong or some other type of charger (depending upon your skill level and comfort working around potentially lethal electricity). You also might be able to get a "green" Prius place - like "Luscious Garage" to help you with some/all of these issues without charging you a fortune (or refusing to do anything less than a "full, real, repair"). Carolyn at Luscious is pretty smart, and a good person.

 

Are you sure the grass cutter or moo is not just the electric fans behind the radiator? They come on high if the coolant is hot enough.

 

Agree with everything except the above bit: those guys are a little on the testy side, I'd pass.

 

He may have a multiple offender 2011 on his hands, certainly three strikes and it is out.

However the OP lives in their Nor Cal area and Gasketmasters is certainly a option if he has budget constraints. Assuming a properly diagnosed HG or replacement engine is needed. I have only heard one complaint on Gasketmasters which originated out of their midwest franchise. We know individuals make the difference in any business, regardless if its across the block or across the nation. And we know there are two sides to every business issue.

 

If you pop the hood open and look at those fans while listening for the moo sound, you will instantly become that much more of a car expert.

 

Based ONLY on what you have provided...

Your blackbook value is less than the repairs and you are not a Mechanic. So...you need to decide if you want to feed the monster...or start over. 216,000 miles is a good run, but like all cars...even a Prius wears out.

 

"Blackbook" is wholesale auction value/price...and you would be lucky to get that for trade in. You know what to do. Wish you the best.