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Blown head gasket confirmed...advice needed

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by AubreyIII, Jul 15, 2017.

  1. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    check e bay for a motor locally .. they might install it as well, Id avoid craigslist or anyone offering services there..
     
  2. Krellan

    Krellan Junior Member

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    I have the same thing. Took my Prius into the dealer, and they confirmed the head gasket is damaged. They used a borescope to see that coolant was leaking into the combustion area.

    My car is a 2012 Toyota Prius v Five, with 140K miles on it. I also had the same symptoms leading up to this: rough starts early in the morning, when the car has been sitting overnight. That would make sense, as it would provide time for coolant to drip through the leak over time, and get into the parts of the engine where it doesn't belong.

    It's sort of always had these rough starts, but lately, it's been getting worse. The rough shaking can persist for several seconds after starting the car, and it also shakes when the gasoline engine restarts after stopping at red lights and such, even after running for a while. It feels like a 2-cylinder engine sometimes.

    Unfortunately, the dealer quoted me $4400 to do all the work to replace it! Needs a huge amount of labor to properly access the head gasket, machining as needed to align things afterwards, and also needs spark plugs and a new water pump. I'm in San Jose, California, a high cost of labor area, so that doesn't help, either.

    I'm thinking the best thing to do is apply that money towards a down payment on a Subaru Forester instead....
     
  3. vegan

    vegan Junior Member

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    I used K-Seal with great results in an RV with a Chevrolet engine. It stopped the leak, and I’ve had no issues. I still own the vehicle.
    K-Seal was recommended by my BMW mechanic.
    Dump it in and drive.
     
  4. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Ryan in Clermont just replace his. I'm doing mine now. 5 hours to break it down. Figure 5 more hours to go back together. Ia have a full shop w air. Can't imagine this job w hand tools.

    If yours burns oil, I'd get a motor
     
  5. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Question for all who have had head gasket failure, was the coolent replaced at 100k miles, was the EGR cleaned?
     
  6. apezam1

    apezam1 Junior Member

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    Is your mechanic in Michigan is located far from Kalamazoo? I need engine replacement on 2010 Prius
     
  7. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

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    He's really busy and tied up with his own vehicles plus mine...And that is price he give me because I bring him so much work.

    For my vehicles next on list is a chevy suburban removing head and replacing lifters and possibly camshaft....and changing cam phasers on a ford f250...He is always backed up.

    About an hour and 45 minutes from Kalamazoo.

    A used engine at junkyard on a 2010 is about $1500 last I checked (they are like $250-$300 on 2004-2009s but skyrocket on the 2010-2015s for some reason).
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Get a 2015 if possible: it has both the revised pistons and rings.

    upload_2019-3-13_8-28-54.png

    Both revisions with the aim to reduce oil burning. Google: is there a way to definitely determine engine model year.
     
    MilkyWay likes this.
  9. FnRedPrius

    FnRedPrius Active Member

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    Mine? Nope.
     
  10. Tariq87

    Tariq87 Member

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    I have a question here...does the head gasket sealant ruin the water pump in prius?

    Also what is the Symptoms that comes with a blown head gasket?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  11. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Do not uses any sealant. It clogs the radiator, heater core and any small passage ways,
    and also could mess up the water pump.
    A pain to clean out.
    You'll lose coolant, the engine could knock, you might see white smoke out the tail pipe,
    for a few indications.
    Depending on your skills, it is best to replace the head gasket or replace the engine with a used on.

     
    Cosmo Tigato likes this.
  12. Keven

    Keven New Member

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    Where did you get the engine? I might have the same issue with a car I just purchased :cry:
     
    Cosmo Tigato likes this.
  13. Cosmo Tigato

    Cosmo Tigato Active Member

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  14. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Cosmo Tigato: You've put some miles on the engine, how are things looking so far?
     
    Cosmo Tigato likes this.
  15. kgilmore11

    kgilmore11 Junior Member

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    Where in Michigan? I'm in Mt Pleasant and need a head gasket ASAP.