HEELP! "Stuck" in S Texas :(

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MrPete, May 31, 2022.

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  1. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    $1800 for the motor, and ONLY $700 to install it? That's a very good price!
    In Theory, the 2015 has the new pistons and rings. So, again, in theory, you shouldn't have
    as serious of a problem with the rings clogging and oil getting by to get burned.

    The converter get pretty hot, it might just burn off the oil... not sure.
    There could be nothing wrong with the one you have now.

     
    #41 ASRDogman, Jun 6, 2022
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The cynic in me is wondering if repair shops are describing any-and-all third gen engines they have as 2015. It can be confirmed by the donor vehicle VIN, which (I just learned this, here) is on a riveted-on metal plate, just aft of the timing chain cover. From the VIN you can verify the year?
     
    #42 Mendel Leisk, Jun 6, 2022
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  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If they can document the miles I would let the tech do it. Be sure they swap out your cleaned egr while they are at it. When you get home I would flush the coolant a few times to get most of the sealer out.
     
    #43 rjparker, Jun 6, 2022
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    At least some of those sealers will dissolve in a mix of 50/50 white vinegar and water (@cnc97 mentioned here). If you can get a bit of sealer goop out, you might test beforehand, see if it will in fact dissolve.
     
    #44 Mendel Leisk, Jun 6, 2022
  5. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    Makes sense...wish I had my borescope with me to take a look at the old head before I leave it behind ;)
     
    #45 MrPete, Jun 6, 2022
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The shop you're using may have one, let you have a look?
     
    #46 Mendel Leisk, Jun 6, 2022
  7. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    @MendelLeisk missed the link but I found it... thanks! Here's where @cnc97 got an answer from Blue Devil: Stop Leak Will Come Back To Bite You | PriusChat

    Mine is latest Bar's Leaks. Mfg data sheet says: "One step formulation contains a combination of antifreeze compatible sodium silicate sealing liquid and various size gasket sealing particles which penetrate gaps and cracks then harden to permanently stop leaks. This works because of the extreme heat inside the combustion chamber (5000°F) that acts as a catalyst to permanently harden the material to make it stronger than the actual head gasket itself. Your vehicle is a good candidate for this product if it can idle for 20 minutes without overheating or having to add coolant."

    They claim it won't clog anything else. I'm going to ask advice for when changing engine...
     
    #47 MrPete, Jun 6, 2022
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  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    They ALL claim something, they can't do. Just because one or two people are lucky,
    doesn't mean it works. It's already been proven several time that all sealers, seal!
    Even where you don't want them to seal.

    Use at your own risk...

     
    #48 ASRDogman, Jun 6, 2022
  9. tony_2018

    tony_2018 Member

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    From mission to dallas....phew....
     
    #49 tony_2018, Jun 6, 2022
  10. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    I was in an emergency situation, no ability to do a "normal" repair.

    All I know is: the Bar's Leaks HG fix DID work to effectively stop the presenting problem.

    I called their tech support just now.
    • They claim it will NOT gum up any other part of the engine. It's safe for extended use.
    • If one does want to remove any remnants, they recommend Rislone Hyper Cool Radiator Cleaner & Super Flush (listed actions include removing gel gunk)
     
    #50 MrPete, Jun 6, 2022
  11. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    UPDATE: by far best deal is the seller shop. AND, a nice tech offered to stay late. He's going to get it done after hours tonight! Amazing that this nightmare may be over overnight :-D

    QUESTION: Is there any reason to keep the OCC in a 2015?

    (BTW I looked up VIN year codes. 10th character should be the model year. A=2010, B 11, C 12, D 13, E 14, F 15... so should find F on a good 2015 engine.)
     
    #51 MrPete, Jun 6, 2022
  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Toyota says the egr cooler is NOT a problem.... (n)(n)(n):whistle::whistle::whistle:
    Maybe the tech can do a flush also?

    It won't hurt to keep the OCC. Probably a good idea. It should be easy for him to
    transfer over...

    You should check the number on the engine BEFORE he puts it in.... And after!

     
    #52 ASRDogman, Jun 6, 2022
  13. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    Augggh. JDM's don't have a VIN at all. No way to know what year within the range...

    i'm thinking the IM p/n ought to tell us something ;)
     
    #53 MrPete, Jun 6, 2022
  14. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If they SAY it's a 2015, they need to varify it.
     
    #54 ASRDogman, Jun 6, 2022
  15. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    They SAY it's Gen3 2010-15 now that i'm here ;)
     
    #55 MrPete, Jun 6, 2022
  16. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    There is no way to verify a JDM engine. It never was in a US car. Vins are not used worldwide.The best hope is it is low mileage and then do frequent oil changes.
     
    #56 rjparker, Jun 6, 2022
  17. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It did sound too good to be true. If it doesn't have a number on the block,
    I would skip it.
    It would be cheaper to buy the new pistons and ring and do it yourself.
    And have the head checked to make sure it's not warped.

     
    #57 ASRDogman, Jun 6, 2022
  18. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    EGR p/n is visible. One motor is 2011 latest. Another 2012 or later... sigh.

    I walked away. Either deception, clueless, or both.

    At this point, I don't see how one can believe the claims about JDM engines:
    • "Everyone" says there is no VIN on a JDM motor, and no way to ID the year.
    • I have proof that at the very least, JDM motors have gone through the same P/N updates/mods on EGR as the US motors. I examined two engines. One had EGR 25620-37110; the other had 25620-37120. The first was used through 2011; the other for later years.
    • If I could see the P/N on the IM, I would learn more but that is not visible externally.
    Seems to me:
    • It would greatly help to catalog the simplest set we can imagine of parts that can be used as a key to Prius Gen3 Engine years! Similar to how one identifies flora and fauna ;) ... YES, it could be faked... but most of the time these are good indicators.
    Am I way off base here?

    Is there a source of JDM motors that actually knows (with evidence) the provenance (year, mileage)?
     
    #58 MrPete, Jun 6, 2022
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2022
  19. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Try it!

    It certainly is the case for mine, very reliably, at least short-term. I first noticed that effect once when I forgot to return the shifter to "D" after a big downhill, and then the engine refused to stop when I coasted or stopped the car. Obviously I never deliberately drove long distances in "B" to see what would happen.
     
    #59 CR94, Jun 6, 2022
  20. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    To me the best approach is to buy from a trusted US salvage yard such as LKQ even if it means shipping.

    A rebuild is the next step unless you find a unicorn 2016-17 Prius v engine. The problem here is they sold very few and most of the vehicles are still commanding enough that repairs are easily justified. One of our members sold his non-running 2013 Prius v for $4,500 and the buyer drove 200 miles each way to pick it up!

    Overall, a rebuild is the traditional and still gold standard. New pistons, rings, gaskets, rebuilt head, inspected bearings, almost guaranteed to make another 150,000.
     
    #60 rjparker, Jun 6, 2022
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