2001 Prius with 266k miles....Sacramento CA

I don't think we have any solid answers on the life span of the Prius. We haven;t gotten that far yet. Lots of 200,000+ and the 300,000 mile club is increasing. I'm thinking it depends on how it's maintained and how long someone wants to keep replacing the occasional worn out or failed part. Even the typically high dollar parts are coming down in price with used parts increasing in salvage yards from wrecks. 300,000 - 400,000 is looking more likely all the time.

These links may help.

OBD-II Trouble Code: P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

OBD-II DTC: P0171 System Too Lean (Bank 1)

 

DTC P0171 means that the fuel/air mixture is lean. Since you replaced the mass air flow sensor, there might be a leak in the air induction system below the throttle plate, a PCV hose might be loose, a fuel injector might be bad, the fuel pump might not be maintaining proper fuel line pressure, or the oxygen sensor upstream from the catalytic converter might be marginal.

DTC P0300, P0302, P0304 mean that the engine is misfiring, especially cyls 2 and 4. When were the iridium spark plugs last replaced? If more than 60K miles ago, all four should be replaced now. If the engine continues to misfire then the spark igniters and fuel injectors for cyls 2 and 4 should be swapped with the parts from cyls 1 and 3 (do this one part at a time) to see whether the misfire will move around to a different cylinder or stay put.

Regarding how likely is it that your Prius will get to 300K or 400K miles, it depends how lucky you are, and how much money you are willing to put into repairs. It is certainly likely that you will face a four-digit repair bill of some sort before reaching that odometer reading.

 

I would start by replacing the plugs, does it go away. If not, there is a clip with the write that go to each of the coil packs on to of the spark plugs, take the wires off of cylinder 2, start it. Sites it sound the same. Shut it off, plug the wires back in. do the same for cylinder 4. If there is a difference. Replace the coil pack for that cylinder

 

Its.gotta be something simple, it sounds like it. A misfire will vibrate, and cause poor fuel mileage because the rest of the engine has to make up for the cylinder with no spark. And you have to put more into the pedal to get more power, more power means more fuel, hence, poor
mileage

 

Replace the spark plugs (at least remove and inspect them). You may find one not even screwed in and flopping around. Symptoms sound very similar to a car I saw running with 3 plugs, car still drove, but crappy mileage and lots of vibration at idle speed.

 

I would think you might be able to replace that engine for less than 2-3k. A quick search found several 05-09 engines below 100,000 mi. for $300 - 500.

 

Damn if you were near pa I would take that car off your hands. I can do an engine job no problem. And not at no $1500, that is rape. If you wanna take it to a yard they may give you 350 for it as scrap. Not worth it. I would give you at least 750+ as is.

 

An engine gasket job no parts, about 300 labor if If did it because I enjoy doing stuff like this. Like mentioned above you can get a whole engine. 300 - 500 don't scrap it, plenty of life left

 

I suggest when your ready the dealer can scrap the car for $500 or so and buy a new car or a newer used car with a warranty and go another 10 years. There are great deals out there from Toyota and very low financing. Just my opinion.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

An engine gasket job no parts, about 300 labor if If did it because I enjoy doing stuff like this. Like mentioned above you can get a whole engine. 300 - 500 don't scrap it, plenty of life left

 

I wonder how much freight is to get it here, my gears are turning. grins

 

I live at home, work for costco. I work on cars on the side. And I don't charge n no 85 an hour, no reason to

 

While good used Prius engines are still readily available for cheap it makes no sense to replace head gasket and/or rings on a tired Prius engine. Easier/cheaper to swap the entire engine, or sell the car to someone who wants a project. Note, used lowish mileage engines are getting harder to find and prices will go up during the next year or two as demand increases...mark my words...

BTW, the same engine was used 2001-2009 so you can even get an 09 engine and put it in your 01. (some external parts are different and need to be swapped but the long block including throttle body etc is the same)

 

Man that is a project but cheaper than a new car.