2013 Prius V leaking HG report

Many people every week are experiencing head gasket failure on gen3s, often before 200k. Bad design by Toyota. Some on Priuschat think a clogged egr could be responsible but you would have gotten a code for that. Piston rings were flawed, updated in mid 2014. The general consensus is 5k oil changes from the beginning could help which would be the thing to do if it was rebuilt.

Independent shops including Hybrid Pit in the LA area will install a rebuilt engine for much less. The car is probably worth $10k with a rebuilt engine.

 

Our 2012 Prius v wagon with around 175K has a HG issue as well ( the one pictured on the left ).

Not impressed with Toyota 'quality' lately...We had a 2010 Gen 3 that was burning oil...and now the 2012 v has a head gasket issue...lol.

On a good note, the 2010 Gen 3 was totaled in an accident a while back ( no injuries and not our fault )...so we replaced it with a 2012 Prius C at no cost. The Prius C is going strong so far!

When we replace the Prius v it will be with a Prius C, possibly a Gen4 Prius, or possibly a Honda Insight. I'm done with the Gen3 Prius/Prius v and anything else that uses that engine.

 

For me personally it's hard to complain about quality when I've owned no Chevy that made it past 150k and now own a Prius with 290k and a head gasket in need of replacement . Toyota completely spoiled me and the way I think about car ownership.

 

i suppose you can't complain at 200k. many don't make it past 100k.

our ford windstar blew the hg at 80k.

i agree the car is worth repairing, for somebody

 

Oh bummer...Not bad that your v lasted to 200k before the HG failed. We just picked up my wife's 2012 Prius v (142k miles) today at Toyota Sunnyvale after repairing it for a brake booster and pump assembly failure ($3k)..Hoping it lasts a few years and dumping this before a HG failure.

 

@Alvingogi I recently went through this with my 2012 with 211k miles. Unfortunately, the Toyota Maintenance youtube channel documented all the steps in a way that makes the most sense to me after I stumbled through it for two months.

Long-story, short, your estimate is in line with what I received for an engine swap/new engine build, about $9k, which is way up since last year. I spent about $6,500 all-in, by salvaging the shortblock, doing the gasket, new egr, new intake, and threw in new timing chain, water pump, and more while they had it all torn apart.

I think if you just have the gasket replaced, you can find something around $3k, but hindsight 20/20, I would get the gasket replaced, have the heads tested and machined, and do new parts for the egr valve, egr pipe, and intake manifold while in there. That should keep you under $5k all-in I believe (labor doesn't increase if you're adding extra new parts).

Big factor in me doing the work was alternatives right now. Getting another V could've put me back in the same boat, getting a RAV4 hybrid or something newer was way more expensive overall. There's value in knowing where you're cars been and what's more expensive $700/month car payment for a few years or $400/month average for a year?

If you're cash-strapped, then it's irrelevant and you'll probably just want to cut your losses and get something new. If you can float the maintenance for now, you'll come out ahead in the end. Let us know what you do - good luck!



Toyota Maintenance - YouTube

 

With those miles, cleaning the full EGR path you may dodge the bullet. Do not wait for codes. DIY is the way to go; probably should change the intake manifold gaskets, but everything else you can just clean. See first link in my signature.

addendum: it was pointed out to me head gasket is already blown. Anyway, if you do repair, follow up with EGR cleaning would be prudent.

 

I agree...................................

 

I had a Chevy ASTRO with 350,00 on it.... sold it for $1500. All original.

 

I would have it fixed by an independent using another engine and then flip it. Make $5k-$10k rather than $2.5k. You have Gasketmasters in your area. Selling it with an engine warranty would be a no brainer.

 

Another Datsun roadster owner! Who knew?

 

If you have no intentions of putting anymore money into it..maybe sell it on craigslist or facebook marketplace as a mechanic special for $3k or $4k? If there are no interests, then get an engine replacement and sell it for more..

 

We replace several head gaskets each week. Some are inventory cars bought at auction, some are trade-ins, and some are customer cars. So there should be money to be made in replacing the HG before selling it even after the repair shop's profit on the work.

 

I think you'd be better off financially fixing it and selling, but if you just want to be done with it I'd take it off your hands for $3,500.

 

Make an appointment and drive it there or ask them to mobile service for a few bucks more. I suggested an engine replacement for the best long term result. Also the worse case cost. Still high value. All the other issues are future. If your goal is to keep it then yes, some of them are in your future.

 

Wow, very clean! (very nice fairlady too!) Your post wasn't showing up earlier but that V is worth way more than $3,500 as is which makes the dealership's $2,500 downright crazy.

How long did your wife drive with the blown head gasket? If it never overheated and you're not burning oil, I'd gamble on a head gasket replacement plus EGR cleaning & plugs. I'd estimate you have a ~80% chance of success.

The risk is that if you do find out you're in the ~20% that needs an engine replacement, you'll have wasted a day or two and perhaps $1,000 in labor that doesn't overlap much with an engine swap.

My plan B would be to buy a new shortblock from toyota ($1,800) and rebuild your head (or exchange it for a rebuilt unit) for ~$500-750. The main problem I have with this route is mission creep. Do you buy a new engine water pump ($200)? Timing chains & tensioner ($300)? Inverter water pump($200)? All new hoses ($200)? New coils ($250)? New injectors? New O2 sensors? New radiator? New motor mounts? New CV axles? New suspension bushings? Before you know it, you've spent thousands and thousands more than you initially expected and 90% of your old items would have probably lasted another 100-200,000 miles.

I would not install a used engine - it is unlikely you'll get one that has been cared for as well as your current engine.

Anyway, your V will probably have some expensive repairs over the next 5 years & 200,000 miles. Brake booster/accumulator: $2,000 Battery: $2,500 Possibly an inverter ($500 used). Add that to your current engine problems and it is understandable if you want to get out.

On the other hand, let's say you do spend $10,000 on all those repairs - are you going to make fewer than $10,000 in payments over the next 5 years with your next car? Probably not. So if you can tolerate some downtime for repairs, holding on to your car is likely the most economical route (and is what I'd choose).