Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock!

I was planning on the next one! I wanted to get some pointers from @Raytheeagle But Im not ready to give up on her just yet! Found a shop that will fix it for a very reasonable price and from the sounds of it, I caught it just in time, if there is such a thing... The knock only happened at startup and it smoothed itself out. But I decided to drop it off after it did it the second time even after being warm..

Howeverrrr - I will be swapping out my suspension for coilovers (which are sitting in my garage collecting dust at the moment) after I recover from the cost of the headgasket. If you are interested. Currently has KYB sport shocks and H&R lowering springs. Gives the car a much better stance and handles way better, but still feels comfortable on long drives.

 

Good call. How much did they quote you for the repair? Make sure they send the cyl head to a machine shop for cleaning, inspection and new valve stem seals.

 

This guy says 1800.. The shop that diagnosed it, said 3500... Funny tho, they are in the SAME auto repair "mall".. I called the second shop because this guy did all the work on my cousins car when he blew a rod out of the bottom of his Toyota Matrix. Your comment does make me feel better because he did mention the possibility of the machine shop if needed.

Right when I told him about it, he asked if the EGR circuit was ever done on it so, that also made me more comfortable.

 

$3500 is market price if the shop is charging “book time.” $1800 is silly cheap. Ask if they will be replacing the head gasket only and reusing everything else, or if they’ll be installing a full overhaul gasket kit.

Here is some info from when I did mine:

2011 Prius Head Gasket Failure | PriusChat

2011 Prius Head Gasket Failure at 185k - Summary - Bob Is The Oil Guy

If you are still running the original engine water pump and thermostat, I highly recommend replacing both during this repair.

 

Overhaul gasket kit is the 04111-

You can/will use everything except the rear main seal.

 

Awesome write ups on both. The symptoms you had are almost exactly like mine. I've had no issues with this car since I got it, until now...

Now I am curious what he is actually going to do. I head down there tomorrow morning to move the car to his shop so I will ask him then and will suggest the water pump and thermostat as well. I am hoping he will do the full gasket overhaul though.. I am curious if mine failed in a similar location to yours, between #1 and #2..

how has it been since? all good? did you install an OCC as well?

 

It has been 3K miles since the repair, no issues at all.

No plans to install an oil catch can kit.

 

I just had to take my catch can off.

Had the dipstick not want to thread in.

But thinking about putting a catch can in the Prime .

Just need to put it up on the lift to scope it out.

 

How did the drop off go?

 

Actually, better than expected.. The first shop, when I asked them why they didnt want to do it, of course me thinking the worst.. I got the worlds most honest answer from a mechanic shop... Frankly put, He said "I've never done one and didnt want you to be the test subject" He said he has done everything else to a Prius but not a head gasket.

Drop off at the actual shop I am using, He has a Lexus CT sitting that he just finished the day before with the same exact issue, leaking between cylinder #1 and #2 (The first shop that diagnosed, confirmed the leak). I asked him to tell me what he is going to do and he listed off everything you mentioned. I added the water pump based on what you said and what the first shop said as well. So he will be replacing anything that needs it and cleaning everything else. Also said that he only uses genuine Toyota parts because all others seem to fail so he sticks with OEM, which also made me feel better.

 

Anyone know the best material to print the OCC bracket? I saw that PLA melted and Nylon was attempted but not tested in summer heat. Even a link point would be helpful at this time! Thanks guys!

 

That's where they invariably seem to fail, and gotta be a clue there. #1 cylinder is at the end opposite where the EGR gas comes in, getting less? With a 2014 you should have the revised intake manifold I think, which was supposed to improve things somehow. I think it it revised from one-into-four, to one-into-two-into-four?

There are more placement locations, bracket options. If you don't mind access from below, it does give really short hose runs, and might get a little help from gravity, who knows. This is a Moroso 85474, mounted on a slotted angle bracket atop the lower cross beam.

One caveat with this location though: when you use the front/centre jacking point, this beam will flex. If you mount anything on it, you want to put some sort of rubber gasket or washers in the interface, install bolts finger tight and add a second nut, to act as a jamb nut:


Standing at front bumper, looking down, airbox removed.

Regarding access below, the Moroso has a tap on the bottom, so works well in this location, you can sync drains with oil changes.

 

Be sure to find a location that is semi-easily accessible. You cannot pass the visual inspection portion of the CA smog check with an OCC installed so you will need to remove and reinstall every two years.

 

No kidding? I did not know that! I was thinking the the same location that most do it, behind the drivers side headlight for super easy access. But also liked the idea from above with the aid of gravity and less hoes..errr hose.. But if I have to remove it every two years.. Something to think about.

 

Yep - it is not a CARB approved item since it “tampers” with the powertrain. The smog police won’t be happy unless you “have a guy.”

 

One thing: where I've got it, I can't see the Moroso can if I raise the hood. Maybe, if I know just where to look and use a strong light. Once the airbox is in it is very hidden. Doesn't help that it's chrome-bright though, you could Plasti-Dip it mat-black I suppose.

No inspections up btw, so haven't had to test my theories, lol.

 

Last time I "had a guy" was when I owned my pro tuned WRX... That was an arm and a leg to smog.. So I'd rather not Lmao

 

I do like the idea of less travel.. so maybe I will consider that area.. pending the outcome of the fix, I am putting that adapter that allows me to use a regular canister oil filter so I can do oil changes at home confidently. So emptying it will be on me and not a shop.

 

We know a fella in the bay that will turn a blind eye and pass visual inspections.

I mounted mine behind the radiator fan with the help of raytheeagle. No one can see it. A way I can check and empty the can is to pull the filter box out. It’s about 30mins to take filter box out, drain can and reassemble filter box.

I haven’t seen anyone here with a catch can design like mine and it’s not a pricey one either. To think of it, I never posted my 2,500 mi catch can drain. I’ll have to do that sometime.

 

You guys aren’t doing head gasket replacements at meetups? Lightweights!