Shaking rattling engine codes p0302 p0304 multi cyl.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Scottyboy24, Mar 5, 2025 at 1:22 AM.

  1. Scottyboy24

    Scottyboy24 Junior Member

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    Ok, so my 2011 with 209k started acting like the EGR was clogged but no EGR codes. I followed advice from this chat and paid Toyota $177 to diagnose and told them to do a bore scope test. They first said it was just fouled plugs or leaking injector's. I told them to go ahead with the work, then the next morning they call me back and say that once he pulled a plug and put the bore scope in they found like 2 drops of water so now it needs a head gasket. - My question here is, " what do you guys think caused a leaking gasket?" I was under the impression that a clogged EGR could lead to this, but there is no EGR 0401 code showing up and my coolant stays full! I haven't added any in a year or longer. The car runs fine except when it rarely misfires. Mostly upon start-up,(only ever now and then) but it has also happened at a red light on the way to the shop.(once) Only shakes for about 3 seconds.
    Also "how much should it cost to have them replace the gasket?" - The local Toyota dealer wanted $4,300! Plus another $3200 for all the other stuff they said It needed. See the attached pictures below. I feel like I can pull off most of it myself but the head gasket job, I doubt I can do? Never even thought about doing that much mechanic work. Anyway thanks for reading and any info is greatly appreciated.
     

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  2. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    What advice from here did you take ? a link or a few of um to the posts would help.
    I hope none of them were from me :eek:

    If it were me, I'd sneak back and grab my car from that place, like yesterday. And hope you can get it back for the the amount quoted for the work you authorized.

    Than do some more reading of different posts than you've already seen.
     
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  3. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    With that amount of cost just to do a headgasket, might as well buy a new car or do it yourself. There’s a couple videos on YouTube that shows how to replace your hesdgasket, just make sure you put time out to do it. It’s all doable if you have the tools and time for it.
     
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  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The rear wiper at $23 and the oil change at $74 are ok prices. Everything else is either way overpriced or unnecessary.

    Having a dealer do major work like a hg on a 2011 Prius makes no sense. I imagine they did the plugs and fuel service (both a waste of money) since they did the borescope.

    The dealer was being honest in their quote when they cautioned the engine might be torn down only to find it is not a candidate for a hg replacement. Almost all dealers and most pro shops won't quote a hg job on this engine because of the expected failure rate of that job.

    I would get a replacement engine installed IF you really think this car is worth it. A professionally rebuilt is preferred (Hybridpit) or a used in Japan JDM engine. The right shop could install a rebuilt for the dealer's hg price. A JDM engine installed for maybe half that price.
     
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  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    +1^ With that kinda mileage on that engine, I'd go with a rebuild rather than a patch job. The rebuild would/should have the new/redesigned low tension rings.
    Has that engine coolant pump ever been replaced or are you monitoring your ECT?
    The car misfires because you got a small seepage of coolant going into your combustion chamber. It does it primary when it's cold because once the engine heats up; it expands and seals the leak. As the engine cools down, it starts leaking again. We're talking about droplets, NOT a squirt gun; so coolant levels creep down very slowly. If you go to an oil change place that tops off all your fluids; you may think it never leaked - it's being topped-off at every oil change. The more often you change your oil, the less likely your going to notice it - if you even check under the hood, once in a while. Some people remove the sealing ring on the radiator cap to prevent the system from pressurizing. While this does reduce the symptoms of this defect, the underlying problem is still there and will get worse over time.

    Hope this helps.

    FWIW; there a a few fine Prius specialist shops in FL; don't know how close to them you are....
     
    #5 BiomedO1, Mar 5, 2025 at 2:52 PM
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's a testament to just how bad it has to clog, before it codes: way too late. Your EGR system with 209K miles, will be VERY clogged. The only way to dodge this is to clean the full EGR system, at least every 50k miles. Others will be along shortly, let you know this isn't the case.

    If the symptoms are just starting, a head gasket replacement may be all that's needed. If you can DIY, the Toyota gasket kit and new head bolts will be around $300~400 USD, and a machine shop go-over of the head maybe $500, if warranted. There's several relevant links in my signature. Last link is the full engine section from Repair Manual.

    Do fully clean the EGR system too, including the intake manifold.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Mar 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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  7. Scottyboy24

    Scottyboy24 Junior Member

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    "Has that engine coolant pump ever been replaced or are you monitoring your ECT?" - No on the engine coolant pump. As for the ECT, yes it has never been on. The check engine life only came on one time and has been off since I picked it up from Toyota.
    I wonder how I would come out if I try to part the car out? The car looks great. Been garage kept the original paint is still in great condition, interior is next to new looking!. All new tire sensors,brandnew crank battery, new Michelin 16" tires and nice aftermarket rims, brandnew Kenwood sound system. It looks and drives right now, like it has many more years left but guess it's done for because no way I'm putting more into it than I will ever get out of it. Then when all of this work is done I still get to look forward to replacing the hybrid battery. I'm thinking I am done with Toyota hybrid vehicles. I am 61 yrs old and NEVER had a head gasket fail, and I have owned vehicles with 300k on them when I sold them! - What would you do with the car if it were yours?
     
  8. Scottyboy24

    Scottyboy24 Junior Member

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    - Thanks for that info. - Sure wish Toyota would have told me to clean the EGR every 50k. I had no idea as this is my first hybrid. If this was you and you was planning to sell it soon, what would you do with the car now? Thanks again for your time!
     
  9. Scottyboy24

    Scottyboy24 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply. - I just meant that someone mentioned having a bore scope test performed to be sure water wasn't creeping into the cyl. I told Toyota to do that instead they told me it was just fouled plugs then the next day when they went to replace them they tell me they did the bore scope and found water. They didn't tell me anything wrong, they done me a favor. I would have been sure enough pissed had Toyota done the plugs and list of other things then me drive it home only to find out the problem was still there, so I appreciate it! - I just don't know what to do with the car now. As I told someone else, the car looks and runs to good(except when it misfires once every few days) to be sent to the junk yard. I'm even thinking about trying to part it out? My conscience won't allow me to patch it up and sell it now that I know it needs the head gasket. -- Thought about trading it in,(probably get about $2500 on a trade) but I don't think I could even do that to a dealership! lol! -- Anyway What say you?
     
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    A dealer will just send a 2011 Prius to auction regardless of condition. They won't expect more than $1000 from the auction so any higher number they offer as trade is really just a discount on the car you are buying from them. The car will be bought by a car flipper who will fix it or will temporarily mask the problem prior to selling it on facebook.

    Toyota has no recommended maintenance of the egr. 50k miles is a Priuschat/Mendel thing.
     
  11. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    Give Todd at Tampa Hybrids a call. He used to one of the authorized GMs shops.


    Todd has transformed his shop into a used Prius Lot in the last couple of years. Sorry for not posting this initially. my thinking when reading your OP was hell get her out of the dealers shop ASAP ! Good God.

    I don't know what Todd will say, but I think he might be able to help you a lot more than that dealer shop, fingers crossed !

    Home - Tampa Hybrids Inc.

    Edit: and I'm not a mechanic, but from your description , your Prius doesn't sound like it's on it last legs or hopefully isn't at the point where you'd be better off installing a new engine instead of getting the head gasket done by a shop that will not empty your wallet without thinking twice about their diagnosis and estimate for the repairs you actually need.

    That list you attached in your OP was hard to read, until I zoomed in on it, it was shocking to read. :censored:
     
    #11 vvillovv, Mar 6, 2025 at 3:22 AM
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2025 at 3:32 AM
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