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Assistance please

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ana Hernandez, Feb 15, 2016.

  1. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey I have a question, my engine shutters a bit here and then while in use, not just when starting and I hear a mild thut noise when decelerating, accelerating, my mechanics says nothing but insists to replace coils. Today I had the major triangle light and check engine light on but the code is P3191. Do you think I should replace coils even without a Code? It has 175,700 miles 2004.
    Thank you!
     
    #1 Ana Hernandez, Feb 15, 2016
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    DTC P3191 is an engine failure to start code. I suggest the following:

    1. Make sure that all scheduled maintenance was performed, in particular the engine air filter must be clean and the iridium spark plugs should have been replaced at 120K miles or thereabouts. If this has not been done yet, do it now.

    2. If the car still has a problem, the first thing I would do is to have the fuel line pressure checked (should be at least 43 psi when the engine is at idle speed.) If the fuel pressure is low, that could cause the observed symptoms.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Feb 15, 2016
  3. Ana Hernandez

    Ana Hernandez Junior Member

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    Location:
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hello thank you for the response! I have changed spark plugs twice because the first change I think they were cheap (my mechanic ordered them) and I found some dark grey water was found in 2 of the holes after giving me a check engine light and having odd vibrations when running. But these second ones were iridium they hold up nice, also last summer one coil was bad and my mechanics replaced it, so maybe that's why his suggesting doing all four now for maint. But idk.
     
    #3 Ana Hernandez, Feb 16, 2016
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how much does he want, to chase the rabbit down the hole, and will he guarantee success?
     
    #4 bisco, Feb 16, 2016
  5. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    Any idea what the source of the water ingress is?
     
    #5 a_gray_prius, Feb 19, 2016
  6. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    The seal on the plastic upper cowl cover has gone bad. When this happens, water enters the engine compartment, spilling onto the cylinder cover, and often times goes into a cylinder spark plug well. In Ana's case, this water went into two spark plug wells.

    This seal is easily seen from the outside, as it is in the middle of the plastic cowl. The cowl is that long black plastic tray area where the windshield wiper arms attach.
     
    #6 exstudent, Feb 19, 2016
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