2010 - Ready to scrap it

I wonder: is @Prius Team interested in passing that on?

 

This is equivalent to a blocked EGR cooler and I think the consensus is the cause of head gasket failure.

 

Would a blocked EGR system cause head gasket failure? I can see that on the way to getting blocked the usual way, the EGR may be dumping carbon into the intake manifold over an extended period, and by the time it blocks itself, it's also carboned up the intake ports, cylinder head, piston rings and so on . And that might cause a head gasket failure somehow.

But if EGR were sealed off, say 8 o'clock day one, how would that cause the head gasket to fail? What would be the mechanism? It could be, I don't know one way or the other, just wondering what specifically in blocking the EGR would cascade to head gasket failure.

 

Hell maybe a junkyard engine would be a good idea.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

The exhaust gas can be used to lower the temperature of the combustion chamber.

SM-T550 ?

 

Yeah that's what I've been reading from @mjoo 's contributions too. There's sure a swirl of threads regarding this right now.

 

Wikipedia has a good explanation.

SM-T550 ?

 

Bottom line I think: it's an integral part of the combustion process, and was designed to run as bare metal. Half-clogged (or worse) by carbon it's not running as it should.

 

Thx for the update. I was wondering how things worked out. College car is a good choice, IMO. I just didn't want you to scrap it. I'd much rather see it driven into the ground until it dies. Good luck to your son.

 

I didn't read the whole thread....

Repeated advice already given.

 

When you made that statement, I replied by saying: "I'm curious what vehicle you plan to purchase that you expect to go 200,00 or more miles with less maintenance or repair costs. Isn't any car a risk? I don't know of any with a track record indicating better long term reliability than Prius. I'm not trying to be critical, just wonder if you believe otherwise."

I'm still wondering what else you would expect to be more reliable.

 

The OP cruises at ~84 mph on the highway. I'm guessing a 6 cylinder vehicle with more HP would be under less stress.

 

After reading the entire thread. That is what I was thinking as well Melon.

 

Good point but 6 cylinder engines are an endangered species. They are being replaced with 4 cylinder turbos that are lighter and more fuel efficient but add complexity. Maybe a bigger four than the Prius would take the stress better.

In the future, when battery tech improves, pure electric will probably have the best reliability but right now any vehicle approaching 200,000 miles is at risk of problems.

 

A blown 4 cylinder has better reliability than a hybrid? Nope

Pixel XL ?

 

Agreed. I meant a bigger four without a turbo, such as in the Camry hybrid, could, in theory, be more reliable.

The Lexus UX hybrid crossover, coming out in December, will have a 2.0 engine (and eAWD). It will be about the same size as a Prius. It could be an option to replace a Prius but won't be cheap.

 

Just a thought. Don't think any cars are designed to regularly and continually do 80. Especially if wanted to last over 200K.

Perhaps with an all electric's simplicity, this would not be as big an issue. So guess I'm agreeing.

If anything, I read this as a testament to the Prius. This is a lot to ask of any car.
(Gonna go say nice things to my baby, snork)

Forgive the slightly off topic or at least extrapolation. We have scrapped 3 Toyota Camrys with conventual engines. All had over 300K miles.

Not one was scrapped due to issues with the drivetrain. All were due to the dumb stuff. Windows leaked, buttons failed etc. But they were all functioning cars when we gave up the ghosts on 'em.

With that many miles, we could not give them away and last one, we got $200 from the junkyard.
Kinda sad actually. They served us well.

 

Years ago, I owned a second generation Lexus LS400. It was very comfortable at 80 mph, the cabin was quiet, and the engine revved at relatively low rpms. IMO, it was more responsive and enjoyable to drive at 80, compared to 40 mph.