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Took 2011 Prius in For Diag, Car came out undrivable.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Prius2010owner, May 12, 2023.

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  1. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    So $220 got you nothing.
    An extra $110 got you at least something.....
    $330 for a quote!
    Is this how a typical toyota dealer does business?

    Seems outrageous to me....
     
    #21 Bill Norton, May 19, 2023
  2. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    Good loard. Don't you have anything better to do with your time?:unsure:
    What does this add to this thread?(n)
    Go outside, old boy, blow the stink off, find a real hobby, anything......:whistle:
     
    #22 Bill Norton, May 19, 2023
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  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
    #23 Grit, May 19, 2023
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm not sure it's a good idea to hand someone $2500 while they're on a country wide tour. If you go to a proper mechanic, at least you have somewhere to bring it back to when something doesn't work right.
     
    #24 JC91006, May 19, 2023
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Gasket Masters has one fly-on-the-wall video: it's the main guy, not talking to the camera, just doing a complete job. It's long, at least an hour I think. About half way through someone calls him, apparently a customer, or at least someone he's done business with. Things get heated, and he goes completely abusive/ballistic.

    Not sure I'd want to work with that guy...

    Puzzling too: why they would even post that video, lol.
     
    #25 Mendel Leisk, May 20, 2023
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  6. Prius2010owner

    Prius2010owner Junior Member

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    What would it typically cost for a normal mechanic to fix a head gasket job? How much should I expect to pay? What is the percentage that even after fixing the head gasket, the car is going to last longer than 24 months? I drive 10k a year. Knowing the dealer wants 3600 minus 300 for diag = 3300.

    If a new engine from hybrid pit is 3,000ish, What is it going to typically cost to have someone install a new engine?
     
    #26 Prius2010owner, May 26, 2023
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think gasket masters are around 2 grande
     
    #27 bisco, May 26, 2023
  8. ColoradoCrow

    ColoradoCrow Active Member

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    @HelloMcFly is an Oklahoma City based mechanic who will travel to you and install. PM him for a quote.. An install I have heard quoted from $800-$2,000 depends on the shop. Call round for pricing. I would Budget $1300
     
    #28 ColoradoCrow, May 27, 2023
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Cautionary tale. Get on the EGR cleaning early.
     
    #29 Mendel Leisk, May 27, 2023
  10. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    This is specifically why I encouraged you to take it over to hybrid pit (or another indy hybrid specialist).

    If you're only driving 10k miles per year there's a limit to how much this car can save you in fuel going forward. You might be in better shape to start over with a different car.

    When the math gets close like this, 'typical' costs don't matter. You want a real live estimate done on your own car.
     
    #30 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 27, 2023
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  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    75.65 %
     
    #31 Grit, May 27, 2023
  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    #32 ChapmanF, May 27, 2023
  13. Prius2010owner

    Prius2010owner Junior Member

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    Hybrid pit (which is an hour away from me)
    quoted 2300 for head gasket repair/replacement (1 year warranty)
    And 3300 for rebuilt engine. (2 year warranty)

    Gas savings was only a small factor when I purchased my car. Id rather have a functioning car. @ 3300 x 24 months = $138 per month. Far cheaper than buying a car. Aside from this issue, my car really has been solid piece of machinery.
    I'll probably get another car with in the next 48 months anyway. It's nice to have a backup car.
     
    #33 Prius2010owner, May 27, 2023
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Agree on a new engine vs gasket
     
    #34 bisco, May 27, 2023
  15. Prius2010owner

    Prius2010owner Junior Member

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    You guys seem really into your cars, I really am not. I bought my car to get from A to B. I just came here for advice. I don't know what an EGR is. That it was supposed to be cleaned, etc. I don't have the time to read every thread to anticipate every single possible issue that could happen with my Prius. In other aspects of my life, I know a lot more and know how to cut corners and save money. Money saved here, gets spent elsewhere. That's life.

    Now that I think about it, it was a stupid question. I'm just really looking for guidance if I should get a rebuilt engine for 3500 out the door. Or settle for just fixing the issue I currently have.

    I'm not interest in Simply getting a new car at this moment. The pit stop guy also mentioned 99% of the Prius's from my generation burn oil after 90,000 miles and require you to check oil often and change every 5,000 miles. That is going to have a bigger overhead in the long run.

    Which is another reason i'm leaning towards a new engine if it's only 1000$ more.

    Does anyone know anyone they can trust in the LA area, that will fix a broken head gasket for 1200-1500$. I spoke to a few friends of mine, and they claim even 2300 seems like a rip off. But after speaking to the tech at hybrid pit. I feel like he didn't bullshit me. Seemed like someone I could trust.

    I'm all ears (eyes).
     
    #35 Prius2010owner, May 27, 2023
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    For a lower cost, you’re not likely to get a quality job with complete inspection of the lower end
     
    #36 bisco, May 27, 2023
  17. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    That's what everyone was paying 3-4 years ago. Factor time into the reactions and opinions you got.
     
    #37 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 27, 2023
  18. ColoradoCrow

    ColoradoCrow Active Member

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    I paid $1700 for a head gasket replacement on my 2002 Range Rover back in August of 2022. However while he was taking the engine apart I replaced the Water pump, Radiator, thermostat, coolant, and he inspected and flushed the cooling system,lubed chassis, ball joints,universal joints. My bill was $4,004.00 which is why I think I got a good deal on the head gasket part.;) Obviously a V8 engine is not the same as our Prius 4 cylinder but this is a real world independent mechanic specializing in Land Rover trucks.
     
    #38 ColoradoCrow, May 27, 2023
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Was that installed?
     
    #39 Mendel Leisk, May 27, 2023
  20. Prius2010owner

    Prius2010owner Junior Member

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    yes, 3500 out the door.
     
    #40 Prius2010owner, May 28, 2023
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