Coolant disappearing and can't find where

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Carsten, Jan 22, 2025.

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  1. Carsten

    Carsten Junior Member

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    engine bay
     
    #41 Carsten, Jan 30, 2025
  2. Carsten

    Carsten Junior Member

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    I'm starting to look into replacing the engine now.

    I found JDM engine depot, they say all of their engines will have 45-65k miles. Seems like there's a chance I could get one that has the same issue, one that has a OEM gasket which is apparently inferior to Feld Pro

    Hybrid pit doesn't offer a rebuild for gen 4, only gen 3, or does this not matter bc it's the same engine?

    Where should I go?
     
    #42 Carsten, Jan 30, 2025
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The FelPro would also likely blow if that’s what went in at the factory.
    Was thinking OP had gen 3 lol.

    Interesting exercise: put a 3rd gen EGR system in a 4th gen. (likely not doable, due to different programming in the two cars)
     
    #43 Mendel Leisk, Jan 30, 2025
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2025
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The hg design is not an issue with gen4. A jdm engine is your most cost effective solution.

    No they are not the same engine. Gen4 has significant improvements including cylinder wall changes to ensure consistent temperatures. Gen4 has different aux cooling and wiring harness lengths as well.

    Your problem started with longterm coolant leaks at the exhaust heat exchanger which was not immediately resolved. Engine damaged resulted. This has happened to many others; you or the previous owner were not the first.

    It would be the most bonehead move ever to put a gen3 engine in a gen4.
     
    #44 rjparker, Jan 30, 2025
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2025
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  5. Carsten

    Carsten Junior Member

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    Thanks for setting me straight on that. I wasn't totally assuming they were the same, that's partly why I asked the question. I was just going off the basic specs - both have a 2ZR-FXE, to me that sounds like a model/part number. In my mind, since they are different, they should've changed that for the gen 4 but I'm sure there's a reason they didn't.

    But that's all beside the point, what's a good source for an engine is. HG design for the gen 4 may no longer be an issue but, it seems to me, a failing eghe which then causes engine damage could very well be, especially with a mystery engine from a JDM supplier. Thanks
     
    #45 Carsten, Jan 30, 2025
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    #46 rjparker, Jan 30, 2025
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  7. Carsten

    Carsten Junior Member

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    Put in new plugs a bit ago, Autolite Iridium XP. Sitting it purred but when I took it for a drive it ran rough again.

    There was also a weird smell, kind of a burnt smell but not electrical, more like plastic.

    This time got cylinder 2 misfire. I'm kinda wondering about the coils now, I'm thinking I'll get a spark tester rather than swap coils and plugs around.
     
    #47 Carsten, Jan 30, 2025
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    A head gasket leak on a Prius with severe metallic damper rattling incorrectly generates multiple or changing cylinder misfires. If it runs smooth most of the time while driving it is not a plug, coil or injector (before or now).
     
    #48 rjparker, Jan 30, 2025
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  9. Carsten

    Carsten Junior Member

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    I wondered about that.
    I have spent the last 30 minutes searching the web for a guide (youtube, priuschat, physical repair manual) that will tell me step by step engine removal/install and I have found nothing.
     
    #49 Carsten, Jan 30, 2025
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    It is a hard day of work for someone who has a lift and all the tools. Even harder and longer on jack stands.

    This guy has decades of experience but it's tough at home. He is pulling a gen3 but the process is the same for a diy'er without a lift.


    I would pay someone experienced who has a shop a thousand to do it. Buying the power tools and an engine hoist would cost that much.
     
    #50 rjparker, Jan 30, 2025
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Or a third gen E
    Check the bottom link in my signature. (on a phone turn it landscape to see signatures)

    Also this:

    Swapping in a Gen 4 Prius' 2ZR Engine into the Prius v | PriusChat

    (it's in an odd place, technically appropriate, but...)
     
    #51 Mendel Leisk, Jan 30, 2025
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  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    #52 rjparker, Jan 31, 2025 at 8:27 AM
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  13. Carsten

    Carsten Junior Member

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    #53 Carsten, Jan 31, 2025 at 8:33 AM
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  14. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    I can readily think of about 10 different methodical diagnostic tests to diagnose a head gasket failure. What testing procedures have you performed to prove or disprove it?
     
    #54 douglasjre, Feb 1, 2025 at 1:42 AM
  15. Carsten

    Carsten Junior Member

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    So far just the block test, I've got a borescope on order it'll be here next week
     
    #55 Carsten, Feb 1, 2025 at 8:40 AM
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