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Any diagnostic software that will hint if headgasket will be needing replacement soon?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ThatOddMan, Jul 1, 2022.

  1. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

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    Mine PiP is already at around 165k miles (I don't drive much reason mileage is only around 6k more compared tp my past posts if my memory serves me correctly).

    MPG seemed to have dropped and playing between 40 to 48. I think I did have one time between 35-40 MPG. :ROFLMAO:
    • Has around 1 year old tires.
    There are some posts on this forum about headgasket failed at 165k miles. With high prices of used cars these days. I prefer to keep my PiP in good condition.

    Found some car dealerships listing 1st gen Prius ~105k miles for above 11k USD. :LOL::LOL::LOL:

    Any steps to check if my PiP is due for headgasket replacement?

    Will Dr.Prius work on checking for it? Or any other diagnostic tools?

    Thank you.
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can check the egr electronically, but not the head gasket, afaik. i think you need a boroscope or leakdown test.
    have you cleaned the egr circuit? oil every 5k? are they all hv miles?

    also, with a 2014, you should research whether you have the old or new pistons and rings
     
    ThatOddMan likes this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    How much of the miles are electric-only?

    That said, if it were a reg 3rd gen Prius, odometer reading is pretty much all the software you need; with 165k it’s cleaning time. And if you’re losing coolant and/or getting cold-start shakes: leak down test and boroscope inspection.

    tips and links in my signature.
     
  4. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

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    It was done during the 152k miles service.

    The recent past Toyota tech (03/2021) set sticker to 10K service. I got worried so I went to have PiP serviced without reaching the interval mileage 10k. I thought something was not correct about that sticker by that Toyota tech.

    But the recent Toyota tech (02/2022) put the sticker with 5k miles interval or 6 months.

    The MPG I stated is the MPG shown on the LCD when powering off my PiP.

    I'll check the service history again if there are any replacement parts listed for pistons and rings.

    I'll check Autozone and instructions on how to do those. If I think too complex for me, then I'll probably ask some mechanic to do it.
     
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  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Excessive oil consumption is a sign as it clogs and carbons the cylinders faster. A vin with the last six digits higher than 055768 is a positive as your 2014 would have the updated pistons and rings.
     
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  6. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks normal to me.

    a number of things can contribute to lower mpgs. tires, 12v, filters, plugs, weather, driving distances, topography, clogged hv cooling fan and etc.

    unfortunately, if you have tracked ev/hv miles, there is no way to go back and get it. do you plug in regularly?

    does she burn any oil between changes? is the coolant level stable?

    when the cleaned the egr, did they clean the 4 small ports in the intake manifold? very important, and most dealers don't know it.
     
    #7 bisco, Jul 12, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2022
  8. PaulDM

    PaulDM Active Member

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    Old Skool diagnosis:
    If you put your foot down and you see:
    white smoke it’s water/coolant
    black smoke it’s oil
     
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    You will get occasional startup rattles and shakes long before white smoke starts. Sometimes months before. So startup rattles and engine shaking is the early warning. It will sound really bad like you threw a rod, metal to metal and then go away and run fine. By the time white smoke appears it will be shaking and rattling when taking off from stop lights after one or two minutes.
     
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  10. RobPHV

    RobPHV New Member

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    Maybe try the chemical test of coolant system for CO2 leaking from the combustion chamber.
    Most speed shops sell these kits.