Shudder on takeoff occasionally....head gasket for $3300?!!!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jamendan, Jun 29, 2020.

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  1. Jamendan

    Jamendan New Member

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    Guess I had it coming for saying how trouble free my 2010 Prius is. Got back from camping trip ( rough, dusty, National Forest roads) and engine started shuddering on acceleration from a stop...occasionally. Not consistent. Shudder happens on initial acceleration from a stop..not every time. It’s like going over a newly graded dirt road.. that washboard rumble. just for a 10 to 15 seconds, then it’s fine. Happens more when turning left. Check engine light came on. Spent the day at dealer yesterday..they checked plugs and were fine. replaced intake manifold and EGR valve and gasket. Left dealer..minutes later same shudder at takeoff from stop just occasionally. Sounds like coming from front. Check engine light came on again after 10 miles or so. Back to dealer. Has 155k miles. Not due for oil change for 1000 more miles. Codes were P3001 and P3002. Now dealer says coolant was a little low and head gasket needs replaced for $3,300! They’ll credit me for what I’ve already paid but Holy schnikes! Does this sound reasonable? Any recommendations for local shop for 2nd opinion? Chicago area, west suburbs.
     
    #1 Jamendan, Jun 29, 2020
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  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    You can get another engine for that at an independent place
     
    #2 tankyuong, Jun 29, 2020
  3. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    That is a pretty decent price at a dealership. I would definitely take their offer.
     
    #3 The Critic, Jun 29, 2020
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you get the head gasket replaced, keep on top of intake manifold and EGR cleaning there on. (y)
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jun 29, 2020
  5. Dan Ger

    Dan Ger Junior Member

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    That engine "shudder on accelleration" on the gen2 models was always the throttle body needing to be cleaned along with the maf sensor. Gen3 will be similar. I would talk to a senior tech and dealership before accepting that diagnosis. I think you meant p301 and p302...misfire codes. Coolant being a slightly low isn't an automatic indicator that you have a blown head gasket. Also, if it shudders along with coolant level being slightly low the first indicator of a blown head gasket would be spark plugs showing signs of coolant getting into combustion chamber. Dealer said the spark plugs were fine. In summary, you likely wasted your money if you had the dealer do a head gasket. Thoroughly cleaning throttle body and maf sensor almost always solves the shudder problem. I wouldn't worry about cleaning the egr until you clean the throttle body and maf sensor. If that doesn't improve or eliminate the shudder then "maybe the egr" cleaning. I've never had to clean an egr on the 50+ Prius's that I've worked on but could be worth a try.
     
    #5 Dan Ger, Oct 11, 2020
  6. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    The Gen-3 EGR cooler, valve, and throttle body EGR passages all clog up, usually over 100,000 miles. There are dozens of threads here about this issue, and many owners found out about it like the OP did, with a failed head gasket/P0301/leak at cylinder 1.
     
    #6 pjksr02, Oct 12, 2020
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Disagree: clogged EGR (much "improved" from 2nd gen) is likely suspect.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Oct 12, 2020
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