Possible head gasket failure. Help!

How long have you owned the car?

Were the spark plugs replaced at the recommended 120k miles?

Do you have misfires during cold startups after the car sat overnight, or do you have misfires when you are driving after the car warms up?

If this is the first time that you noticed the engine coolant being low, I would fill it up and keep a close watch to see if it goes down again. If you can confirm that it is losing coolant, it probably is a head gasket failure.

 

EGR cleaning at 170K miles is pretty late. Accordingly I'd suspect head gasket. The p0303 misfire code (misfire on cylinder 3) is a little odd; typically it's cylinder one or two.

Head gasket replacement only is a viable option. DiY without machine shop overhaul of the head (just DIY verify flatness of head/block machined faces, and valve sealing) would be around $300~400, for Toyota gasket kit and new head bolts. Independent mechanic doing the head gasket only, maybe a grand more?

Boroscope inspection of the combustion chambers (with cooling system pressurized, looking for coolant leaks) and/or leak-down test are the best tests.

Did you clean the EGR system personally?
If not, did you see the components, before and after?
How did it look?
Did the intake manifold also get cleaned?
Do you get shakes at cold start-up? Or no?

 

I go with the change the engine for a replacement from the JDM.o bought a transmission to go with mine so both pieces are low mileage . Now only chassis has the miles.

 

There’s a product called Irontite pour it in your reservoir tank it works miracles.

 

If your water pump hasn't been changed, that might be the reason for the head gasket failure. I would highly suggest you don't rush this repair and have to repeat it.

AAA top tier (not sure what that's called) will tow your car 200 miles for free, or the Gold membership will tow it 100 miles for free. You can drive it up north a bit from San Diego and get it towed to where you want it to go (within 100 miles if you have gold membership)

 

"Covina" is a Los Angeles suburb? Contact Hybrid Pit Stop (also in LA); they do quality Gen 3 Prius engine swaps, have rebuilt engines sitting at the ready.

https://hybridpit.com/contact/

@RightOnTime @GregC1979 are a couple of Priuschat members in their employ.

 

If you could diy it would be awesome, I just changed my HG and cleaned up the head and valves to almost new condition, runs great now and no more rattle on cold starts. However given your circumstances I would say gasket masters is a good choice and it is definitely safe to run even on low coolant because I was low on coolant for awhile and didn’t even know it lol. That’s also how I knew my HG was way overdue for changing. I honestly don’t think you need a new engine, that’s silly imo but it’s actully not a bad price for a newer engine to kinda start fresh, but given how long these motors go for I don’t think it’s necessary.

 

+1 Hopefully they can replace the head gasket, etc. within the short time frame. No way would I risk driving across country with a blown head gasket.


iPhone ? Pro

 

Don’t do it!

 

We love working on Prii’s all day! Just make sure you get the water pump
Checked out and to check to see if there are any bent rods while disassembled. If you have any questions give us a call at the Shop

 

If You can't do any of this yourself then you're going to be paying retail I guess you're in California and unless you know people and East LA and have connections I guess out there you'll be paying the 6K 5K 4K whatever it is. As in this day and age there is no wiggle room and everything is pretty much pumped up to maximum retail at the moment because it can be.