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Prius G3 Misfires/Head Gasket issues same as in Lexus Ct200h?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by SacLexToy, Nov 11, 2018.

  1. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    No preference, but I usually save the beer for afterwards ;).

    A nice celebration of success:).

    See you early Sunday with the address to follow soon(y).
     
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  2. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Budlight is cost effective and won't affect the drive back home :ROFLMAO:
     
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  3. SacLexToy

    SacLexToy Junior Member

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    Update. It's been one week since I attended the Bay Area meetup and with @Raytheeagle cleaned my entire EGR system, intake manifold, MAP sensor, replaced PVC valve, and scoped cylinders. On way home from meet I also added a bottle of Techron fuel injector cleaner for good measure.

    Result: Car has run perfectly since! No misfires, no codes thrown, no shaking engine on startup, no detectable coolant loss! I am still not ready to say the fix is permanent, have read too many other tales of temporary improvement and then misfires returning. But so far I am one happy camper!

    Thanks again @Raytheeagle! And for anyone else facing this issue by all means do the complete EGR and intake manifold cleaning! It just might save you the cost of a head gasket or engine swap!
     
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Thanks for following up(y).

    Glad to hear everything is working out and sharing the results;).

    Keep us updated as the miles pile on for the community benefit(y).
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    How many miles have been driven in that week?

    Does the group have a consensus on the odometer reading when this cleaning should be done to avoid misfiring, head gasket failure, etc.?
     
  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I did our 2010’s the first round of egr circuit cleaning at 120 k miles and the clogging had started.

    I then did the same job at 173 k miles but paired a water pump preventative maintenance replacement with it.

    I’d say pair it with the first engine coolant draining or spark plug replacement.
     
  7. SacLexToy

    SacLexToy Junior Member

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    I have put about 250 miles on the car so far. It sat for a few days over the holiday but is being used for daily commute again this week, about 50 miles a day. Still running great!
     
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  8. SacLexToy

    SacLexToy Junior Member

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    Update: my CT continued to run great the second week after EGR and intake manifold cleaning, and then...

    It had an unfortunate run in with a deer (a big buck) at about 45 MPH a few nights ago.

    Pretty extensive damage to bumper, hood, right front fender, and the entire headlight assembly literally exploded into a hundred little pieces!

    Waiting on body shop estimate. I have comprehensive coverage with only $100 deductible, but damage was enough I wonder if insurance company will total car?
     
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  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    They might:(.

    It could have been worse though if you just did the head gasket and had this happen;).

    Hoping for the best(y).
     
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  10. SacLexToy

    SacLexToy Junior Member

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    I was thinking the same thing. That would have been terrible. Even the way it is, I will feel bad if all the work you did for me on the EGR cleaning is for naught (if car is totaled).
     
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  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    No worries;).

    Glad to help(y).

    Keep us posted on status as your pars and pieces have value if they salvage it out;).

    She was in real great shape(y).
     
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  12. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    Oh no... :( Hopefully your car is repairable. Fortunately no one was hurt, other than the deer. Good luck. Keep us posted.
     
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  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Considering the car is 7 years old with 159K miles, it is likely the insurance company will cut you a check and declare the car totaled. Start to research the current value of your vehicle so you know what to expect.
     
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  14. SacLexToy

    SacLexToy Junior Member

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    Update: Yep, car declared a total loss. Over $7k in damage. Those deer are dangerous! Can't see it in pic below because they removed them, but fender and bumper were busted up really good. Amazing that the windshield washer bottle survived unscathed.
    Insurance company was fair in the settlement.
    Just a shame, it was a great little car! :(
    Car is going to salvage at Antelope Auto Auctions, in Antelope, CA if anyone interested in it for parts. I didn't want to deal with a salvage vehicle so said a prayer for her and let her go! final_death.jpg
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Seems pretty borderline for a write off. (n)

    I'm sure someone will buy it, put on a new fender and front fairing, straighten out the hood.

    Addendum: did airbags go off? Guess that would do it.
     
  16. SacLexToy

    SacLexToy Junior Member

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    No, airbags did not go off. The insurance company waffled for almost two weeks deciding whether to repair or not. I think it was the mileage that finally swung them towards total loss. I am not unhappy about the settlement, I think I got more than I could sell it for, and given the recent uncertainty about the head gasket it may be a blessing in disguise. But yes, may be a good project for someone that can do that kind of work themselves or have connections to get it done on the cheap.
     
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  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Looks like the deer skinned the passenger side :(.

    What will the replacement be:whistle:?

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #37 Raytheeagle, Dec 17, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2018
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  18. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Had front row seats myself this morning:



    And thanks for introducing to us the ALE 12th of Never Lagunitas at the meet up, had those for the holiday, and perhaps 2 cans tonight. Should have dub'd a Ted Nugent song over this video.
     
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  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Well that sucks :(.

    Much damage :whistle:?
     
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  20. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    No damage due to me driving like my new avatar haha. It only scraped some of the black plastidip off the front lower lip. Not only plastidip deflects rock from chipping but deers also.
     
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