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Blown Head gasket rebuild....@297k

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by danlatu, May 8, 2017.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I recall the first time I adjusted valves: got mixed up as to which side was intake and exhaust, reversed the clearances. Put everything back together, decided to start it up to check my handywork, and it was having a hard time holding idle, shuddering.

    Thought: wasn't this supposed to be an improvement? The light bulb finally came on, lol. At least I learned how critical the clearances are.
     
  2. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    From above and no tranny removal. Removing from below would require subframe, tires, axles, tranny, and inverter to be removed. I saw another post were the guy removed the front clip???? Why??? As you see the empty engine bay, engine as removed with no other parts removed. Windshield was close.
     
  3. dabard051

    dabard051 Tinkerer-in-Charge

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    Danlatu, great thread! Great pix and commentary!
     
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  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    You mentioned that you removed the head first and then realized it had a bent rod, so you then puled the engine. Do you think it will go back in as one piece? Or will you have to do block first then head? Love this thread!!
     
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  5. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    I will know really soon. The engine was easy to remove with the head off. I will try to reinstall whole.
     
  6. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    What I was told is that you'll always find oil in the throttle body of a Prius because the Atkinson cycle blows fuel/air back into the intake during the beginning if the compression stroke.

    Hmm.. why it's oil and not fuel is a good question...
     
  7. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    When you take apart the pcv hose and intake plenum, you will see wet oil build up. I do understand that in the engine cycle, the computer controls the vvti and can advance or retard which can push unburned fuel and o2 back into the plenum, wet unburned oil??? The burned oil found in the intake plenum can be coming from the egr and combustion chamber back through the intake valves.

    I'm sorry for no pics of the dirty intake plenum. It was really dirty. Looked as if i ripped apart a tdi
     
  8. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Danlatu, I really appreciate your insightful information. I have been telling people for years what you have just stated and I feel vindicated. You are very fortunate to be able to do the work you do. It is fun when one can do what they can on their own. For as long as God allows me, I will do all of my oil changes on my own. 3 years ago when I had my Scion XB, I was busy and decided to have a "quick lube" do it. They had to upsell everything on their shelves! And when I did the next oil change on my own, the filter was literally glued tight. Probably because I didn't do any of the upsells! I highly suggest anyone who had a car to learn how to safely change their own oil. And, if they can't, find a friend who can and reward them with a meal. You will always know it is done right!
     
  9. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    nonsense, i corrected that a few times in other threads, but i guess it didn't stick.
     
    #49 Former Member 68813, May 13, 2017
    Last edited: May 13, 2017
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I think I want that on a plaque. (y)
     
  11. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Mendel you crack me up!
     
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  12. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Well... now I realize that fuel/air blowback won't leave a pool of oil...
     
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  13. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    Pistons are in, bottom end done, head is going in after dinner. The toyota engineer was smoking wasabi crack when he/she wrote the manual. Things are not written in order and taking more time to find all these torque specs. Good thing I'm patient.

    IMG_0083.JPG IMG_0084.JPG IMG_0085.JPG IMG_0086.JPG
     
  14. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Awesome work


    iPhone ?
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    The Toyota Repair Manual is like that end-to-end. Even basics like spark plug replacement:

    Spark plug inspection and spec in one section, spark plug torque way off in another section, lumped in with valve cover, and the procedure for removing wipers, their motors and the windshield cowl, off in another zone. All unreferenced to each other.
     
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  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Completely unreferenced, except for the little blue buttons that jump right there when clicked....

    [​IMG]


    I still want somebody to tell me why the oil pump chain is made with timing links.

    "There's yer problem, buddy ... the oil timing was off!"
     
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  17. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    IMG_0087.JPG IMG_0088.JPG IMG_0089.jpg IMG_0090.JPG IMG_0091.JPG
    2011 toyota prius timing chain alignment tdc marks marking camshaft cams
     
    #57 danlatu, May 14, 2017
    Last edited: May 14, 2017
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  18. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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  19. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Very interesting thread. Love all the pictures. danlatu is the man!

    Have you noticed an oil galley plug outside the engine (other than the oil pressure switch)?
     
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  20. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    After seeing all the details inside this engine, I am more than happy to change my oil every 5k instead of 10k.