Self proclaimed expert explains why Prius Headgasket Failures are normal, early, and inevitable

I wonder if that’s why gen 4 came along

 

Then why do people keep posting “I want to buy a gen 3 because it is a bulletproof car” and be led on by others?

 

I recall some Gen 4 ad touting "revised EGR". Seems pretty deep-dive for sales brochure

 

10w40 engine oil in the transmission?

 

Don’t forget the Walmart brand also

 

Toyota Motor Corp., .....knows! ......

 

I agree. To me the egr gremlin is right up there with the bad 12v battery that stills powers up the networks. I believe poor gen3 design compromises are the heart of the problem. Including valve seals and piston rings dumping oil into the cylinder, blow-by pushing oil into the intake manifold (which undoubtedly slugs the cylinders) and maybe a hotter cylinder without egr gas. Personally I agree with Gasketmasters that thermal cycling and a poor head gasket are likely suspects when combined with other factors.

 

On my second GEN III Prius and first RAV4 HV and can honestly say they are the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned or worked on...IF you maintain them. Don't let the fact that I a career Mechanic...and actually perform preventative maintenance...sway my credibility though.

 

Yes it's true.... 1 quart ATF and 3 quarts 10W 40 WALMART OIL.

 

If the Gen 3 is so reliable why are you on your second one?

 

First bought a 2010 then later added a 2015 when Son went off to College Part II.

 

Because they updated some of the problem areas by 2015. A lot of this general discussion has to do with high mileage issues which are not typical when one is well below 200k. Its amazing how members label a guy who does a good job solving head gasket problems "a self proclaimed expert" when he said nothing of the sort. In fact it is a label that may fit others better.

 

Oil in the Prius.transmission? riiigghhtt...

Toyota's have always been reliable. I'm on my 5th one.
I lost tow due to accidents, other drivers fault. Both had over 200,000 miles on them.
3rd I sold to a friend, almost 200,000 miles.
And now the Prius, currently, over 217,000.
NONE have had any major problems. Just the normal wear and tear items.
But pretty much any vehicle that is taken care of will last.

 

Pretty low miles to me..........Previa....430,000..... radiator, water pump and a alternator....still in use... camry 335,000 water pump and timing belts driven daily..... and then the prius v..............

 

Which just proves my point....
Just because a person has a problem with there car, doesn't mean they are all bad.
EVERY manufacturer has defects. It's a not a perfect world.
You have to look at the percentages. And how someone drives and takes care of there car.
But even if they baby the car and take care of it, that doesn't mean it won't have problems.

 

Sorry but I proves my point.... Don't buy a used gen 3 prius.... I've had many vehicles..... prius v most unreliable and costly to repair....

 

Toyota could have acknowledged the EGR clog and head gasket failures with a warranty extension with some TEETH. And added a service to the maintenance schedule, to completely clean the system, and the intake manifold, every 50k miles. Or replace components with superior design, sufficient to stop the problem.

They've chosen not to.

 

Of course, car just has to make the 100,000 miles. Any further, customers wouldn’t be buying anymore cars.

 

And the poor sap who buys it used is screwed.

And it's got to knocking down trade-in values...

 

4 Prius's, NO major problems....
My 2010 Gen 3 head gasket is still functioning... No major problems.

As I said before, just because ONE person has a problem with a certain car, doesn't mean
they are all like that.

No matter which car someone buys, they should research it and see what problems they have.
And see if it is worth it.
Cleaning the egr circuit is not that hard.
EVERY car has problems.....

If someone doesn't like a certain make or model, don't buy it!