2002 Prius - Gas engine replacement?

It doesn't need to be done by a certified shop, but if you have to ask whether or not it's a do it yourself job then it probably isn't. If you've never R&Red an engine and you don't have the tools to R&R an engine then it's best left to someone who at least has done it.

 

There is a series of posting describing swapping of the engine in the Yahoo Group, "Prius Technical Stuff."

Bob Wilson

 

If you have a shop lift or jack stands and something to lower the engine it's doable if you have time and patience and tools. (and a buddy or two that likes to wrench on cars)
Basically you;
-remove wipers and cowl assembly,
-drain engine coolant, inverter/tranny coolant, tranny ATF, engine oil
-remove inverter
-unhook all electrical from ECUs under dash and under passenger floor (at least the ones that connect to the big harness -coming through the firewall, remove the two rightmost ecu's behind glovebox)
-unhook steering rack just above floor inside car
-unhook steering rack power cables - this is the hardest part in my opinion
-unhook ball joints, exhaust etc
-remove and tie up AC compressor to lower radiator support (don't disturb refrigerant lines)
-lower subframe and remove
-Lower engine and tranny as a unit, separate engine and put it all back in reverse order.

keep lots of dixie cups to keep fasteners together from certain areas. A lot of the tranny removal instructions apply to engine/tranny together. see Gen1 Transaxle Removal Notes / Instructions | PriusChat

Lastly, Gen1 engines rarely die, in fact, they seem to suffer less from "oil consumption issues" than Gen2 engines even though they are almost the same. Adopt-A-Part in Denver has plenty for sale.

 

That is so much information. Thanks.

 

I bought a 2001 prius from state auction. had the triangle with exclamation point light on. starting battery would not take charge. bought new starting battery. hybrid batter was drained, but able to recharge and is in good shape. Then noticed engine oil level more than required, and water mixture found in oil??? wondering if there is a way to diagnose the gas part of the engine and how to diagnose. So the car shows only 27000 miles on the engine, and is clean throughout. Any advice would be appreciated on how to diagnose engine and possibly how to step by step video. I am a very visual/hands on person. Thank you.

 

Drain the oil--see if there is any water in there. Replace the oil and filter and check the other fluids, including coolant. Now that you know what's in the engine, take the car for a ride--at least 30 minutes worth to evaporate any remnants of water. Check the oil and keep an eye on the level for a while. As 3prongpaul says, these are high quality engines, not prone to failure if maintained properly. 27k on an engine is barely broken it. If you have warning light on, you need to get that checked, fixed, and get the codes cleared.

Previous owner said my aux battery wouldn't hold a charge, so I replaced it. Old battery's been on a tester for over a week and hasn't lost any charge. Might have been a slow discharge problem--something eating power.