Just looking for general input. Bought used Prius Gen 3 with175K. Problems first day. Short version, was in a pinch, gambled, lost. Toyota service dpt (didn’t buy from Toyota)highly suspects blown HG and coolant intrusion after beginning diag/inspection (says need to scope it to confirm but wanted to give me a heads up before proceeding) Choice between motor swap or repair. Tech says he’d swap bc, and they don’t this without further digging, any other damage from overheating or coolant leak may or may not be repairable, AND leaked coolant may have run through catalytic converter. Reported smell of hot coolant from exhaust. Have read many of the threads from earlier this year regarding problems with HG, EGR system(highly suspect this as the start of the downfall), misfiring, coolant vanishing etc. I have only been a DIYer on my vehicles when absolutely necessary (like knowing how to do it, don’t like doing it) because of time and/or money. Not feeling great about having it repaired, especially DIY, if other systems/parts may have been damaged. If CC is damaged, has to be replaced regardless of choice but what else may be missed DIY...
Welcome. The blow head gaskets are becoming epidemic. Hard to say which is the better course of action. Through dealership probably a used engine swap is preferable, though his reasons sound a little sketchy. What is "CC" by the way? Crankcase?? Would you consider DIY? These guys do head gasket swaps in a half day, fwiw: New head gasket replacement video from Gasket Masters | PriusChat They're fast-and-dirty, cut corners, but at least you get some tips, and a sense of what's involved. Also, here's a thread by a member that DIY'd the head gasket replacement, in a more thorough manner. He sent his head out for a complete refurb too: 2011 Prius Head Gasket Failure | PriusChat The joker in the deck is if you get the head off, and then discover TDC for one or more of the pistons is a little low, which would indicate a bent piston arm. Still, you don't know till you try. And, new short blocks (everything south of the head gasket if I'm not mistaken) are about $1800, food for thought. Maybe you have to swap over the oil bilter bracket?
Catalytic converter. It is a bit confusing at first when the usual meaning in this forum is Cruise Control. But context leads to other meanings ...
Considering you've had the car about one day, yeah, walk away? Any recourse with the seller? Any bets on everything being gunked up with gasket sealer...
Thanks for input. Situation continues as Toyota service can’t begin locating engine for swap until tomorrow, Monday. No dealer recourse. That’s where I gambled and lost. Salesman gave back $200 to go towards diag., but was as is , no warranty. No I’ll feelings really towards salesman. He personally never raised a red flag. Their mechanic who inspects/tests their buys on the other hand.... used non spec plugs, reported bad break pads which ended ring warped rotors..... never met him and don’t want to. And of course the car test drove absolutely fine. Asked tech why I shouldn’t try K Seal or the like if it is HG. Main reason not to is to keep the other systems coolant may be leaking into from getting gummed up adding to the expense. As Bisco said, any bets on that they aren’t already gummed up? Paid $5700 At Toyota now checking on options for different car and to verify ball park on engine swap. DIYing the HG is admittedly stretching my comfort zone. Considering the possibility that there may be additional damage that I’d miss or not even be aware of I think puts the final nail in DIY My local NAPA garage did the first basic diag. They gave me referral to mechanic (non dealer) who has worked on hybrids for many years. Contacting him tomorrow, Monday, is the only other option I can think of.
Engine swap at Toyota not feasible. Discovered today while there looking at others cars that I misunderstood swap cost and today was given additional parts costs on top of engine. 4K in exhaust system components, includes catalytic converter. So somewhere between 8 and 9K out the door for engine swap+ at Toyota. So back to fix or bail.
I’d get an independent mech to source a replacement engine and replace it...or crunch numbers on another beater. Good Luck! Let us know how it shakes out
In Jacksonville. 4hrs to Tampa. Contacting independent mechanic tomorrow. Toyota offered 3K as is, with buying another car. Unfortunately the only one they wanted to show me so far, payments outside my comfort zone. Not sure I have a comfort zone anymore Will share anything independent mechanic may have to say. Thanks everyone.
3rd gens blowing head gaskets in droves, between 150K and 200K, and Toyota says "Move along, nothing to see here".
If you are not getting a catalytic converter efficiency fault, I would repair (or replace) the engine and deal with the catalytic converter later on. How much coolant has been consumed?
