Toyota Prius coolant leak.

That is why a certified independent mechanic like Michael at Lexology in Redondo Beach is in such demand. A motor from a used Pri with 40,000 documented mile would cost you less than 1500 installed!


iPhone ?

 

it's funny you mentioned new engine. They got the head back and when they tried putting it back on it had issues with the block. At this point I'm not sure what to say. They've had this car for 5 weeks as of tomorrow. Now they are telling me it would be cheaper to source a used engine. They found one with a few less miles than this one and the plan is to do a full motor swap. I picked up a loner car from the dealership in the mean time.

 

just got a call from the dealership the new motor is here and it should be installed and be ready tomorrow $4600 a 2014 prius V with 70k miles. Sad times

 

Did the head bolts pull threads from the block upon reassembly? That is what it sounds like to me.

Hate to say it, but this is not exactly uncommon. There have been issues with the block threads on some other Toyota engine families. But it is always a risk with aluminum blocks, especially if it was overheated.

 

Here's what went down... They sent the head to get checked and serviced. That took two weeks and just when they started putting it back on they told me the block had an issue. So MAYBE! all they told me was some story about it not aligning.

 

I can only foresee two scenarios:

1) too much material was removed from the cyl head so after re-installation, the timing marks would not line up. Or maybe the car is now throwing a cam/crank correlation fault code. Not likely, but I suppose it is possible.

2) when they went to torque down the new head bolts, the threads in the engine block "stripped out." This is more likely.

Unfortunately, many service writers do not have an automotive background so some of the more technical explanations from a tech often get misreported.

 

thank you for your input! I"m going to straight up ask him if option 2 happened when i go and pick it up.

 

Or the studs bottomed in the block, due to decreased thickness of the planed head surfaces.

 

they made it sound like they didn't have to plane the head

 

I agree a full motor swap takes a day and that is me and my daughter handing me tools and reading the steps. Imagine a pro could do it in 6hr


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car is ready, i pick it up today.

 

That’s great happy trails. I’d still keep an eye out for low mileage
Engine and Transaxel if you want to be prepared and have the space.


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picked up the Prius V yesterday, seems fine. Sent in my paper work to Toyota to get my 2,000 reimbursement. It was $4500 and took 5 weeks. I'm ready for this to be over.

 

Can you post the final repair invoice so that we can see the notes on why they had to go with a used engine?