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Head Gasket Replacement - Engine Replacement - Sell the car. Give me an idea about my situation

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Eren, May 8, 2024.

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  1. Eren

    Eren New Member

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    Hello everyone. Let me tell my story. I bought a Prius 2014 at 150k miles on it for 9k$ in December. Since then I had problems with it. In just after one week of purchase I had to replace the hybrid battery. I was annoyed but it solved the problem. Though, it is unrelated to my problem now. Last Monday (it's been a week), my car started rattling in the morning, cold start, but it used to go away in seconds. After 3 days, the rattling last more than 10 seconds and it rattled sometimes at start up even though the engine wasn't cold. Keep it in your mind that I didn't notice any coolant leak, at least that's how it seemed. I knew something was wrong I took my car to a mechanic. He changed the spark plugs and he told me there was a small leak to the cylinder 1. He told me I might need to change head gasket or replace the engine. After he changed the spark plugs, it started misfiring in the same evening and the next morning, there was a obvious reduction in the coolant. So, I took my car to Gasket Masters. They told me it was obviously a head gasket problem, but wasn't very sure, cause when we checked the dipstick, there was little bubbles on it. They told me, there might be coolant leak to engine oil, if I recall correct and quoted me 2150$ for head gasket replacement. Then, I took the car to a mechanic who only fixes Priuses and he also told me it was head gasket problem. Quoted me 1200$ to change the HG with 2 months of warranty. However, he suggested me that the engine might be overheating already and even if we change the head gasket, there is no way to know when it is gonna blow itself. Instead, he told me that he can change the engine for 2000$ with new water pump and 1 year warranty. He told me the engine was imported from Japan and 30k kilometers on it, not miles. Also, this guy told me he can buy the car for 5000$. What's your advice? I'm eager to change the engine since I don't have much money to buy a new car or finance one. Also, as of tonight, the engine rattles hard when I accelerate after stopping at the red light.
     
    #1 Eren, May 8, 2024
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Let the guy have the car for $5,000 put three or $4,000 behind you as a mistake many people don't realize it this series and model is just not the one no matter how you slice it some people make out okay for a while what have you but it's not the one we've been through two of these and neither have been worthwhile experiences to even document or talk about totally frustrating for not much of a vehicle to begin with looks good from afar but one sitting inside and all yeah right anyway I would get my money quick and then do what you want generation 4 if you feel the need or backtrack to a generation two and hold ground until a major next move is evident just realized 2010 and going forward is planned obsolescence that's been executed very well so none of these cars going forward will ever be well classics or any of that they're just disposable My opinion of course.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, May 9, 2024
    Eren likes this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Touring
    A recently purchased gen 3, with 150K miles, runs fine for a few months, then the head gasket starts leaking coolant into cylinder one. This is an ultra common occurrence. Could be the seller poured in gasket sealer to mask an already failing head gasket.

    If you replace the head gasket, be sure to follow up with a thorough cleaning of the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system, including the intake manifold. For more info see EGR and head gasket links in my signature. (on a phone turn it landscape to see signatures)
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, May 9, 2024
    Eren likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's a great price for a new engine, i'd go for it, keeping in mind that a $3,000. brake actuator might be next.
    who sold you the prius?
     
    #4 bisco, May 9, 2024
  5. Eren

    Eren New Member

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    2014 Prius
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    A private seller.
     
    #5 Eren, May 9, 2024
    bisco likes this.
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Doesn't really matter private sellers and or the dealers don't track this stuff they track the car that they have and their inventory to sell to you or whoever The series of car has issues The dealer's not going to talk about this that's not their business That's your business to do your due diligence before you show up at the dealership and see that pretty Carolina blue Prius 5 or whatever it is impulse and all of that I want it because it's red that's what sells vehicles. All of them can be fixed it's just how much is it going to cost and what am I paying for the vehicle that's going to need all this fixing exactly there are other model cars that do very much better at these exercises lots of them and Toyotas too this is just not the one unless you declare it is.
     
    #6 Tombukt2, May 10, 2024
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