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suddenly: cracked engine block!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LunaKing, Jan 2, 2016.

  1. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    2009 Prius, ~97K miles, well maintained, bought it new. While on the freeway, it sounded and felt like I hit a golfball sized rock (I didn't), the red triangle appeared, I pulled off and saw lots and lots of oil running out. Yikes. Got towed to a Toyota dealer and they said my engine was cracked and I need a new engine or a new car!

    Seems crazy this would happen to a 6 year old engine!!? My bad luck? Advice?
     
    #1 LunaKing, Jan 2, 2016
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Bad luck, unless you allowed the engine oil level to drop below the lower dimple on the dipstick - in which case this was due to owner abuse.

    Have an independent mechanic install a used engine from a wrecked 2007 - 2009 Prius with a low odometer reading. That might cost you ~$2,500.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jan 2, 2016
  3. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    No, there was plenty of oil, checked it just last week. And all maintenance has been done by Toyota (I'm so not a DIYer)

    In your experience, is it worth going back to the dealer where I bought it to say: "help me out here, this shouldn't happen"

    Thanks Patrick!
     
    #3 LunaKing, Jan 2, 2016
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  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes. Since you've relied upon dealer service and the car therefore has a complete service history, you could ask the dealer's service manager for help. If you don't receive a positive response, contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center for assistance.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Jan 2, 2016
  5. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    hi! the dealer sent me to Toyota Customer Experience Center, good experience so far!

    Question: they are recommending buying a "remanufactured engine" which she said is a brand new engine on the inside, but the "casing" is not new. And the warranty is for 1 year. Any information on exactly what this "remanufactured engine" is? If it's new on the inside, is it logical to have only 1 year warranty?

    Thanks you smart car people!!
     
    #5 LunaKing, Jan 11, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    since it isn't new altogether, and toyota parts are mostly 1 year warranty, it makes sense. they wouldn't build a product that wouldn't last, on average. are they offering for free?
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 11, 2016
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    It's pretty much what the dealer said. They send the engine block to a machine shop, where cylinders are honed, specs are checked, everything is cleaned and made like new again.
     
    #7 usnavystgc, Jan 11, 2016
  8. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    Thanks!

    Sounds like a good solution to go w the remanufactured engine!? They are not offering for free, maybe ~50%, still negotiating.
     
    #8 LunaKing, Jan 11, 2016
  9. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    So what part cracked, then?
     
    #9 ILuvMyPriusToo, Jan 11, 2016
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably the block. piston rod?
     
    #10 bisco, Jan 11, 2016
  11. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    My point - I didn't know a machine shop could make a cracked block "like new again". Sounded weird to me.
     
    #11 ILuvMyPriusToo, Jan 11, 2016
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good point.
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 11, 2016
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Probably a used engine block, sent to a machine shop to ensure heads are true, then reassembled using new components.
     
    #13 xliderider, Jan 11, 2016
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good point.
     
    #14 bisco, Jan 11, 2016
  15. luckyboy

    luckyboy Member

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    Since you are in CA, it should be very easy to find a used engine locally from a crashed prius, that is the route I would go. I don't see this coming out for less than $5K at the dealer, even for a re-manufactured engine. A junkyard engine and a non-dealer installation could be around 2 grand.
     
    #15 luckyboy, Jan 11, 2016
  16. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Who is selling the rebuilt engine? In my experience a rebuilt engine will last a few years before you're back in the shop again. Run the car until the warranty expires then trade in.
     
    #16 JimN, Jan 11, 2016
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the car is broken, toyota is offering him the rebuilt engine.
     
    #17 bisco, Jan 11, 2016
  18. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    They will not use your block. If your block is cracked its scrap metal. The blocks for reman engines are usually acquired from total loss wrecks with rear end damage.
     
    #18 usnavystgc, Jan 12, 2016
  19. JudgeDoug

    JudgeDoug Junior Member

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    My 06' motor cracked a week before Christmas! Sure enough, on the bottom 6" from the oil pan. Scrap yard motor $750.
     
    #19 JudgeDoug, Jan 18, 2020
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