A lot to unpack there, so I won't try (too much). EGR: In the first post, I did say that they cleaned and replaced the EGR valve and all the EGR ports. They may not have cleaned the EGR Cooler (I didn't ask) and I doubt they replaced it. Head Gasket: This is a link to a "TorqueNews" post that talks about the 3 "options" for a head gasket. #1 was "Stop Leak" as the cheapest and only used if you're broke. He didn't mention that it would destroy the motor. I guess he forgot that. Should I Change The Engine Or Head Gasket On My 2010 Prius? | Torque News Besides, if they had done the head gasket, it would have been an additional $3k+ (on top of the $1500 already spent at that shop) when Gasket Master's "replacement engine" was lower cost. So I made a "value decision" and figured that I'd either have to replace the car or the engine in 6 to 12 months. Transmission: I asked them if they used the same technique as I used to use on my Volvos for trans flush (disconnect the trans cooling line and put it in drive). He said yes. My Volvo's transmissions / torque converter would hold about 8 quarts and I needed 12 quarts for a "Flush". Without researching how the Prius CVT operates, I figure all those belts would make a lot of heat. Maybe its a computer problem. Whatever. Its working better now and, like I said... 6 to 12 months. But, he may have drained 3 quarts, added 3 quarts, run it around the block, drained 3 quarts, added 3 quarts, ran it around the block, drained 2 quarts, added 2 quarts and called it a "Flush". The dealer has pushed the trans flush for the '10 and the '16 every time I've taken one of them in, and I always said "Thanks, but no thanks". But, I must say, I certainly appreciate you pointing out how knowledgeable you are about this, how I got ripped off and (most importantly) I can expect disaster at any moment. But, that's just me. Thanks!
Your dealer is lying to you then...there is no flush for the Prius trans. Maybe he's just misusing the word "flush" for change. A flush is needed to remove fluid that won't drain out of the torque converter by gravity so it must be "flushed" or pushed out by new fluid replacing it inside the torque converter. Most people on here try to get the dealer to change the trans fluid and are told "it's a lifetime" fluid. Wonder why your is pushing a "flush"? That being said, I guess lifetime fluid means when your transmission dies, that was it's lifetime. I drained and refilled mine (because that's all that is possible) at about 70k miles just to help it last longer. Yes it was turning dark (but no smell). Stop leak is a band aid...it may last a while if the leak is small, but it will tend to gum up and block other small ports and Drainage holes inside the engine block (or the radiator if you're using some in there). There's a reason it's not the preferred, common fix for a leak. I do wish you good luck on this I just believe either your shop took advantage of you or you are not fully understanding what they did to your car.
Then either he lied or he doesn't know what he's doing. The Prius transaxle is as different from the transmission in youy old Volvo as a meat grinder is different from an oil refinery. The Prius transaxle is marvelously simple. The typical automatic transmission is a miracle in that they don't fail more often than they do. @bettergolf explained it well. The transaxle takes 3.5 quarts. So my guess is that they drained and filled it twice. Here's a pdf showing how it's done. (I've done this on four of my Prii so far.)
usually I would just move on to the next thread but I must make a comment. Any mechanic who puts Blue Devil Stop Leak in your car should be avoided. Period. They are just trying to get you past the warranty period. Just to let you know where you are, you have the exact problem that I had, a result of not cleaning the egr valve, a blown head gasket. No big deal. I wish any of my cars only had 160k on them I don't have any under 200k. I circled the place where the gasket failed and washed the piston. Any mechanic can replace your head gasket, make sure they send the head to the machine shop and replace the valve stem seals. Make sure they refill it with only Toyota coolant just because that's what belongs there. Shame you spent that much money on a repair that is doing more harm than good. That stop leak clogs up everything, which is bad. The car is worth fixing for sure. Good luck with it.
A few additional comments on the above-described debacle: You might be able to flush the stop leak product with a 50/50 water vinegar mix. Test if you can extract a bit of the product. Toyota sells a gasket kit, that has the head gasket, plus pretty much every other o-ring, gasket and seal in the engine. The mechanic and the machine shop can both use that. Also worthwhile and safest to replace the head bolts. The repair manual has some very specific instructions, regarding removal and reinstall of the head, torque instructions and so on. Gasket kit and head bolt part no's in attached.
Yikes!! Sometimes the fingers have a mind of their own and the eyes see what they expect to see. Thanks, Mendel. I'm glad you caught that and that I saw your helpful comment in time to go back and edit my amazing brain fart.
I missed this earlier. @dig4dirt is correct. No belts ... well, except for the seat belts. LOL Here's Professor Kelly to show you what an amazing thing the Prius transaxle is. It's a deep dive into the transaxle in your Gen 3 Prius.
I find those videos impossible to watch; interesting as heck, but invariably I fall asleep, about half way through...
Youtube's "playback speed" setting can work wonders on a lot of videos. It does pitch correction, so the voices don't become chipmunks, and still are easy to follow. Turn on the closed captions and it's even easier. (Admittedly, for many videos, the closed captions are autogenerated and phonetic and distractingly comical. But for others they're added or checked by hand and they're accurate, and for the comical ones you can usually tell what they should have been.)
They are absolutely amazing! But yes falling asleep is part of the amazement! I watched them many many times and I am still learning the amazement!
Head gasket replacement reasonable price/worth it? | PriusChat Your 2010 is a teenager at 160K miles, no reason at all not to fix it. It has to be done competently though. If you're getting a head gasket replacement done, the tech must check the connecting rods, else you'll be in the hole again after a few hundred miles.