2010 Prius With Low Engine Coolant, No Interior Heat - Should I Buy?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jumpinjivinjoe, Oct 11, 2017.

  1. jumpinjivinjoe

    jumpinjivinjoe Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Kennewick, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Have an opportunity to buy another 2010 Prius for $3,850. It seems to run and drive great, however there are a few problems which concern me.

    Upon driving, the engine coolant overheating light turned on. Turns out that the engine coolant reservoir is out of coolant. Obviously it doesn't just evaporate, it must have leaked out somewhere. I could not identify where though. I would be concerned it might have a head gasket leak but it didn't lack performance like I would suspect with a head gasket issue.

    I also plugged in my TechStream and did a health check on got the following codes:

    P0037
    C2123
    C1241
    B1503

    What would cause the engine coolant to be so low?

    Might there be damage if he's been driving it with low coolant levels?

    Should I be concerned with the ECU codes?

    Should I go for it or look for a better opportunity?
     
    #1 jumpinjivinjoe, Oct 11, 2017
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    II
    Do NOT buy. If this thing has overheated, it most likely has a blown head gasket
     
    #2 JC91006, Oct 11, 2017
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Prime Plus
    +1.

    There are plenty of Prius fish in the sea(y).
     
    #3 Raytheeagle, Oct 11, 2017
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  4. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    At the beach in Delaware...
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    DO NOT BUY! Blown head gasket!
     
    #4 Bill the Engineer, Oct 11, 2017
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    How many miles on it, just curious.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Oct 12, 2017
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  6. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    i bought one like that for 2k.ended up replacing engine
     
    #6 tankyuong, Oct 12, 2017
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  7. jumpinjivinjoe

    jumpinjivinjoe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2017
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    Location:
    Kennewick, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Wow! I appreciate the advice! We decided against getting this Prius. I can deal with engine trouble codes, but overheating and no coolant is just too risky. It had 236,000 miles.

    Thank you everyone!
     
    #7 jumpinjivinjoe, Oct 12, 2017
    Aaron Vitolins and Mendel Leisk like this.
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