Hello everyone I need help

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Leah Hayden, Feb 8, 2025.

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  1. Leah Hayden

    Leah Hayden New Member

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    I am a first time prius owner, but I have been working on my own vehicles for about 20 years. So I guess you could say i'm pretty decent with mechanical things.
    In 2013 i did a complete frame up restoration on 1985 cj7 Jeep.

    I'm trying to replace the head gasket on my 2013 Prius. I am one hundred percent stuck, and so is the driver's side of my head.
    I have everything disconnected. I gently pry on the passenger side of the head and it is loose. I have pryd l harder on the driver's side of the head and it will not come up.

    I have watched YouTube videos from 3 different mechanics. Several times at this point. I have done what they have done with the exception of the man who started removing bolts in the center.
     
    #1 Leah Hayden, Feb 8, 2025
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I did that on an old Mercedes once. There was one last bolt hiding under a pool of oil in a recess. Be careful!
    Hopefully someone here can help, all the best!
     
    #2 bisco, Feb 9, 2025
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I just blasted the head off of my blown up motor a couple months ago I don't remember any hidden bolts and I think the block might be out here I'll go take a look and I have two Gen 3's sitting in the driveway getting parted out but the valve covers aren't all I swear I don't remember any hiding bolts It's a funny wrench you're supposed to have to take off the head bolts but I used what I had rather than to go by the right socket didn't hurt him blasted them right out I don't remember any tricks at all for any of that It was pretty straightforward of course I have the timing and all that stuff off and it just tapped right up It was tight on one corner I don't remember which it was but I pryed it right up with a pretty good size micro snap-on screwdriver I mean this thing's about 2 ft long. It didn't even make much of a mark on the head.
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Feb 9, 2025
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The exhaust manifold is disconnected, staying with the car? All the bolts out?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Feb 10, 2025
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  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Good Lord I'd hate to be trying to pick up the exhaust manifold unbolted at the downpipe and all that connected and you've got to be under the car to get there but yeah I guess that's a possibility.
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Feb 10, 2025
  6. Leah Hayden

    Leah Hayden New Member

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    Ok everyone thanks for the advice! I checked for the millionth time to make sure.

    Yes they were!
     
    #6 Leah Hayden, Feb 11, 2025
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2025
  7. Leah Hayden

    Leah Hayden New Member

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    Sorry I'm a little technically challenged ugh,
    So after much though and checking over and over rewatching every video I made an executive decision. I wouldn't suggest anyone do this but I was at a loss so it seemed like my best best. With a sick stomach I took a 12" piece of 2x4 set it against the block took a 5lb malet and gave it a half strength wack! It came up with ease!!! On the front driver's side there is a 1/2" post that sits in a shallow hole that was jam packed with sand and debris! I have put a good amount of antisease into that hole to prevent this being an issue in future. My goal is to get this car to over 500k so I will be doing this process a few times on the car. Crazy issue to have that no one has mentioned. The top of this hole is open and that how the debri got in there.
     
    #7 Leah Hayden, Feb 11, 2025
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  8. Leah Hayden

    Leah Hayden New Member

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    Yes they were all disconnected.

    I used a long crowbar and put my weight on it and it didn't budge ugh

    Me too! I definitely disconnected the exhaust.
     
    #8 Leah Hayden, Feb 11, 2025
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 12, 2025
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  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    As you found out it just needed some adjustment pretty typical actually on most aluminum engines and what have you but there you go That's what you want to do use something soft against the engine and hit it with something harder against the wood exactly.
     
    #9 Tombukt2, Feb 12, 2025
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    In one Gasket Master Video they say “don’t be shy, pry”, lol. That said, there can be missed fasteners too.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Feb 12, 2025
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