Blown Head gasket rebuild....@297k

That's simple enough. Just like any motor, more or less.
So why are people saying replace the motor when the head gasket is blown????
If it's not warped beyond repair, why not replace it?
It would be easier than replacing the motor, and less costly. I would imagine you could remove the pistons
and clean the rings, hone the cylinders maybe. Then you should be good for a few thousand miles as long
as you clean the EGR system and manifold...

 

That'd be the "toyota prius manual pdf" that is bouncing around on the interwebs because some people did a whole lot of "print to file" from techinfo and glommed the print files together in no semblance of order and none of the links work.

If you're doing something where your time feels like money, the $15 to go view it on techinfo with the links working and the ruddy sections in order might not feel like too much expense.

-Chap

 

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I was talking about those who were capable of replacing a head gasket.
Depending on the mechanical ability, doing the head gasket or replacing the motor is about the same.
And the risk of a installing a bad motor is not worth it to me. Unless you are going to take the head off
and replace the gasket and check the head to see if it's damaged. And you might as well replace the valve
guide seals while you are at it. Unless you trust the place you bought it from and they said it's a very low
mileage engine.
And I would check the timing chain, and pull the oil pan and replace the gasket and see what the bottom of the
pan looks like. I would also replace the rear and front main seals.
And from the photos I've seen on here, only the gasket blows out. No one has mentioned the head being warp,
at least not that I've seen.
Since I KNOW the condition of my engine, I wouldn't really need to do all that stuff.
But if you are just doing a swap without doing anything to it, it would be faster.
Unless the engine is bad....
But of course you someone can't do it themselves, then they have to have someone else do it.

 

Hi 8

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Same thing happened to my 2010 Prius.
My engine started having hard starts in AM. Shop and CODES told me it was the "Engine starter coils" so I had those replaced and oil changed. It was still hard to start engine sound that would go away once engine warmed up. I noticed a slight drop in antifreeze and I did not think anything of it. I replaced the fluid.

2 weeks later, *boom* Overheat warning light came ON...
Antifreeze chamber was empty. No outside leaks.

Antifreeze dumped into chamber #1. Had to get #1 Head rebuilt.

 

142,992K miles

 

Same happened to me just this week. Not cheap to fix from what I've been reading here. I live in Belgium and found only one engine on sale in my area. Note sure if that one fits my Prius since the engine code do not match completely. Mine engine reads 2ZR W20N the one for sale is a 2ZR W22U engine.

 

Yes i will install an oil catch can and do what you are recommending on my younger Prius Plus (i believe its called Prius V in the US) that one has 70k km. I don't want to risk engine swap on that one too!

But for the 2012 Prius: no hope, the engine is losing 1 Liter coolant an hour (i was curious and let the engine run in maintenance mode for 1 hour, yes... the engine was shaking and knocking like crazy) when i told a friend (car technician) about that finding, he said i should't start that engine again with that much coolant flowing in it.

So... I plan to swap engine om the 2012 Prius as soon i am sure the engine i found on sale ( 2ZR W22U ) will fit in the Prius since the engine in it is an 2ZR W20N engine, you think it will fit?

 

My head gasket is done as well. Does everyone remove the exhaust manifold from the head when removing the engine or leave it attached.

I was planning in trying to remove it.

Thanks

 

Thank you for the details on the head gasket change. My 2010 Prius just started with P300 misfire on cylinder 1. The dealer already replaced the fuel injectors and the ignition coil. (spark plugs, etc were replaced previously along with the EGR valve). The dealership told me that I should consider trading the car in since they saw coolant in cylinder 1 /or/ replace the head gasket but the cost of each job would be about the same $4600. They also told me that the EGR valve did not cause the issue since. I am not experienced with repairing vehicles and have to believe what they say. Do you agree or do you think I should just find a certified shop to do the head gasket? Also, is anything going to happen to the new EGR valve they just replaced if I run the car for a while before replacing the gasket?

 

Congrats, I paid $1500 to have this done recently on my 2010, 170k. Luckily no bent rods or anything, just needed a new HG. Definitely would've tried this if I had a driveway, alas I live in L.A.

 

Is it probably best to pull the engine for a head gasket replacement. Has to be easier for the aforementioned timing chain cover removal/install.

 

Looking to see if the Prius repairman will investigate if all that is needed is a new HG and/or cylinder repair vs replacing the entire engine. I will keep an eye on the oil to see if it is actually running low. I have been getting it changed at the dealership and they have not informed me that oil was burning/leaking. I know there is a slight weeping of oil near the HG (I believe). The dealership showed me and a maintenance tech that works for Toyots said that it was common (not to worry unless is gets worse).