Persistent P0401- dealership says replace intake manifold

welcome!

check the toyota owners website, i thought there was a free intake manifold upgrade if you have symptoms, but i could be wrong.

what's going on with the hybrid batteries? are they new oem replacements?

 

Something doesn't add up. Did they give you a written quote? The MSRP on an intake manifold from Toyota is under $400. I see the updated "Intake Manifold Assembly" (17120-37054) listed at ToyotaPartsDeal.com for $225.28. Even includes the 3 gaskets. So how are they charging $1000+ for labor? Even a beginner would do this in under 2 hours.
Watch the @NutzAboutBolts video on cleaning the intake manifold to get an idea how easy it would be to replace yourself.

That said there's no guarantee this will solve your P0401. In fact I think it's unlikely to.

 

How the coolant level? Just wondering the head gasket is in the process of failing. No attention was paid to the EGR or intake manifold prior to the first code lighting up?

 

From your description, you have yet to clean out the EGR system.

The first item that is on your OP is an extended warranty program where they replace the EGR valve and Cooler gasket. They did not replace the cooler.

The first thing you should do is clean out the EGR circuit. EGR pipe and the cooler. If you feel you can't clean it properly, then just replace the cooler with a new one. If this were my car, I would probably request Toyota corporate to pick up the tab for the new cooler, since the p0401 was a warranty enhancement that the new EGR valve didn't fix

 

Keep eyes on the coolant level. If it going down then you gotten a leak in the head gasket. That will tell you to either replace the engine or car and not have to spend on anything else.

 

That's why I have a thread on here telling people don't buy a gen 3 with miles on it unless you can do your own work. I was ridiculed by a few for the post but I know first hand. Luckily for me I can do the work that would have cost many thousands..... and even though a couple of these that were recalled I broke down at very bad times.....(long distances from home) plus traction battery, plugged egr system, master cylinder, accumulator, water pump, inverter, and now trani needs replaced. I like the MPG but wouldn't do it again. I didn't need another car but wanted a v for the heck of it.... what a pain in the v................

 

Don't conflate the Prius line with all the automotive woes making the rounds though. I remember one time I was in the process of jumping companies, and a coworker cautioned: don't think it'll be all wine-and-roses at the new place; they all have the same BS.

The best you can hope for is more tolerable BS.

 

I know my v pretty well now..... I just don't recommend if you plan on keeping for a long time and can't do your own work... still kinda tuff to work on and I have techstream.... ECE water pumps, timing belts, alternators, starters are pretty easy versus hybrid...

 

Those two brake components on the firewall intimidate me more than the head gasket. I was hearing an odd grunt noise for a while, just before coming to a stop. Strangely it stopped, just when I booked an appointment for the dealership to have a look. Hasn't come back. Yet...

 

My next vehicle will be the cybertruck from musk, it’s bullet proof.

 

Contact me anytime..... happy to help if I can...

 

Did you pay for the cooler? Or was all this warranty work they did?

 

Except the glass.