Head gasket sealer fix question

Personally I don't like mechanics in a bottle but in your situation being a long way from home I would be tempted to just try it. It is however a nightmare to clean that stuff out of the cooling system afterwards.

 

I experienced the same thing, had help from others from one of the Prius meet ups, cleaned the egr circuit and manifold plus added oil catch can, no more knocks. Seriously thought head gasket was bad myself, now almost at 200,000 mi

 

What's the miles?

 

Oh boy, I don't envy you with this post.
Far away from home and (perhaps major) repairs.
If no white residue on the oil cap and the radiator exhaust sniff test passes, that is a good sign for no head gasket leak.
To go further, Harbor Freight Tools sells inexpensive video cameras where you could inspect the inner cylinders; water leak would have that cylinder extremely clean of carbon.

Yet you write "header" so maybe my comments are of no help.
I can also say I have no experience with zero degree weather effects on a car.
Also no experience with EGR and 170K mileage Prius'.

The hear fluid (bubbling) is a clue.
Just maybe the anti-freeze-to-water ratio is off for the temperature conditions and the bubbling is air bubbles?
So maybe a drain and refill? $100 dollar cost if DIY?
Don't forget the invertor has coolant, which I believe is a separate system from the engine system.

All I can say for knocking is that is typically detonation, unless the damage is done and you have a connecting rod issue or, but I doubt, a valve is hitting the piston top, but you could have a failed valve spring or like.

If a head gasket and you need to travel 1000 miles, perhaps the worst case could be you warp the cylinder head. I would not expect a hydro lock issue.

All FWIW, maybe of no help, but good luck.

 

Not likely.

 

Do a liquimoly engine flush. Then add liquimoly oil saver, and ceratec additive.

 

Unless you have money to burn, I would find out what specific problems the additives are addressing (and whether you actually have any of those problems) before spending any money on them.

Many reviews for these products are along the lines of "I've been using this for X years and have never had issues". Yes, it will likely not do any harm, but did it actually do any good?

 

It sounds more like an ignition coil or spark plug if you're not ever getting any white smoke or losing coolant. Someone mentioned looking inside the cylinders with a bore scope and I didn't see any mention of it again. That's actually a very good idea since other tests seem inconclusive. If the HG is leaking into the combustion chamber, that piston will be steam cleaned.

BTW, there is no header in a Prius or in any non-racing car. I assume you meant head gasket?

As for the stop leak stuff, I don't think I'd want my engine looking like this.

 

I’m thinking sticky pistons. I have the same issues. I’m going to try bg hybrid repair kit. After I figure what I plan to do first. Were you able to fix ur issue?

 

liquimoly engine flush dissolves sticky gunks and will smooth out your pistons. Then add liquimoly ceratec. Liquimoly is a german brand mainly used by luxury (problematic) vehicles like Audi or BMW.