1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

First Gen 1 Prius Plug-In w/ Blown Head Gasket?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Tracksyde, Mar 23, 2017.

  1. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Got an update today from the service rep at the dealership (he was out Thurs-Sat). He had called me in the morning to let me know his manager was going to have a call with Toyota today and that he should have some news today. He called me back about 8 hours later with some bad news.

    It seems Toyota will not pay for the engine disassembly (head removal). They want me to approve the removal. If the cause of the issue is something Toyota covers, they will cover the disassembly cost. If they find that the reason for the engine failure is not covered, then I'm on the hook for the cylinder head removal.

    I asked the service rep what could possibly be considered something that Toyota wouldn't cover and he gave me a few examples, such as aftermarket engine modifications, like using weird spark plugs and having them break up in the cylinder. I laughed and reminded him we're talking about a Prius. In any case, I asked him for Toyota's corporate number to call to discuss this matter with them directly. He gave me the number to their customer experience center. He told me I'd need my VIN and my current mileage, 32,968 miles.

    I'll give them a call tomorrow and remind them I had brought my car to the dealer before the end of my power train warranty. I'm a little disappointed it has even come to this. I wouldn't even call this asking for "goodwill". It kind of makes you wonder under what circumstances would they extend "goodwill" without some encouragement/begging/pushing from the customer, or does it just always require some encouragement/begging/pushing.
     
    #21 Tracksyde, Mar 27, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2017
    acceleraptor, m.wynn and bisco like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    disappointing.
    usually takes some prodding, and i don't think they do it as much with engines as batteries. if they balk, i would contact the state consumer affairs, i don't think it's goodwill either, the problem started while still under warranty.
     
  3. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Called Toyota this morning. Although I realize this is part of the process.. its a frustrating step in the process since the person on the phone can't really help you at all. She's just there to spit out some canned answers and document everything you say as you say it. In the end all she can do is open a case for you. So it felt like there was no reason or use in pleading my case. At one point she stopped me and just said "I know nothing about cars, so I can't say one way or another".

    I also thought it was odd that she said the issue is between me and the dealer and that the case she opened is a case at the dealership. She said the dealership's customer service manager has 2 days to respond directly to me. So it also made it seem like Toyota doesnt play that much of a roll.. or at least thats the perception they want to convey. But basically she said if the dealer said I needed to pay for the analysis and disassembly, thats between me and the dealer.

    I called my dealer service rep back and told him what happened and gave him my case number and he said he'd go talk to the dealership's customer service manager to find out what Toyota said. Which, again, was a little odd since Toyota made it sound like they have nothing to do with it and its the dealer's call.
     
    m.wynn likes this.
  4. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Question. I'm asking because I am curious. What's wrong with just paying for the repair now and deal with whether Toyota will cover it later? If they don't cover it, you kinda have to repair the car anyway, right? It's unlikely you can replace a similar condition vehicle for the repair cost plus its current value.
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    they give a different answer to everyone that calls, there's no rhyme or reason. but they do seem to respond better to battery problems, as i mentioned.

    if the dealer and toyota are unresponsive, you'll have to follow up on the warranty issue.

    toyota is the one responsible for the warranty time, and payment, but they may look for dealer input.
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  6. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    If I knew for sure without a doubt it was the head gasket and I was paying for it, I wouldnt do it at the dealer simply due to the cost versus other reputable mechanics that I know.

    I have also thought about authorizing the disassembly and letting them figure out what went wrong. But I feel that also leaves room for interpretation. And if they know once they've pulled the head that I'm basically a "captive customer", I can't imagine anyone, the dealer or Toyota, being a very good listener. I guess that makes it a trust thing?

    Of course, this all also highly dependent on whether or not it is actually the head gasket or not. If its a cracked cylinder head, for example, and they were going to make me pay for it for it, I'd rather just pay for a used engine swap.

    I guess what it boils down to is once I approve any disassembly and/or repairs, I feel I'm left with little to no options.

    And as far as replacing the car.. that is kind of what I'm thinking now. I keep thinking that my 25.6 mile round trip commute with ~3 miles on the engine each day may be harmful to the engine. I never EVER thought I'd have engine problems with this car with the way I drive it and it being a Toyota. This car was supposed to get handed down to my daughter when she starts driving.
     
    acceleraptor, m.wynn and mmmodem like this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i wouldn't trust a dealer, but that's just me.
     
    acceleraptor, m.wynn and Tracksyde like this.
  8. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    That makes sense.

    The Hyundai dealer took me for $227 a few months ago for a diagnostic and O2 sensor cleaning. We brought it in due to an engine hesitation. They sent us on our way after clearing the code. When we brought it back in a week later for the same engine hesitation. They said it was a faulty emissions related item fully covered by warranty.

    We said, "Wait a minute you charged us for cleaning that was not needed?" They said it was dirty and they did clean it so no refund. Jerks.

    I don't think your conclusion should be that your commute harms your Prius. No one abuses their PiP more than I do. I drive EV in the morning until I get on the freeway where the ICE is shocked to life at 65 mph in the cold. I know it's getting a workout because the battery falls below 3 bars and it forces the ICE to go high rpm even before it's fully warm. I charge the battery whenever I feel like, hot or cold and it stays fully charged for 3 days every weekend and sometimes longer. I stopped using a timer early on. I use the cheapest oil and filters available on Amazon every 10k miles. I only changed the transaxle fluid once at 123k. If I run out of battery as I approach my destination I turn off the car before the ICE fully warms up because I think it's wasteful. That's right I don't warm up the car. I start and I go after the few seconds it takes to buckle up.

    I think you drew the short end of the straw.
     
    #28 mmmodem, Mar 29, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2017
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how many miles on her mm?
     
  10. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    123k I typed that wrong above. Gonna need to fix it. We had a meet up with fellow PC members last weekend to change the fluid.
     
    bisco likes this.
  11. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Yeah, I have to agree with that statement. Which is why I wont blame Toyota and say they make a crappy product. I know "stuff" happens, robots revolt, line workers need a beer, etc. There aren't enough low mileage head gasket issues to make me think this is wide spread or anything like that. We'll probably never know why it blew anyway.

    But not too long after I got my PiP (some time after the realization I couldnt make a round trip with 2 charges and before seeing the deals people got after me), I kind of regretted not going all electric. Well, there werent many choices either in 2012. But since I get "free" electricity at work, its kind of a shame not to take advantage of it. ;)

    Waiting for a decision from Toyota/dealer.. my mind starts wandering and thinking of all these possibilities..
     
    bisco likes this.
  12. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    One of the things I don't regret is going full electric. The only other choices were the RAV4 EV and Leaf. RAV4's received massive discount in 2013 which would've made me instantly regret buying in 2012. Used Leafs are going as low as $5000 now. You could probably trade in your PiP as is and get a Leaf now if you wanted.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    time to bolt for bolt?
     
    Yea Right, Tracksyde and mmmodem like this.
  14. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    So, a bit of good news I suppose. The dealer service rep called me today around 6pm. He said that they were going to take care of everything. He said they're going to start on it tomorrow and he will let me know what they find and what needs to be done to fix it.

    Whew! :)
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats! no more stress.(y)

    dang, another lost bolt sale.
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    At least now when that happens now it'll be clean:p.

    Hope the newborn and your wife are doing well.
     
  17. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Dealer service rep called me right now. He said they got the head off and inspected the head and block and found no damage. They concluded the head gasket just failed, no specific reason.

    He said they ordered the head gasket set and will get it back together by tomorrow, Saturday at the latest.
     
  18. Imaginex20

    Imaginex20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    140
    242
    5
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Glad there's no block damage. Never heard of any Japanese car with a head gasket issue with such low mileage.
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  19. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2004
    287
    144
    0
    Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I own a RV on a 1991 Toyota truck. With less than 40,000 miles (I can't remember exactly) I took it to a Toyota dealer for service and was told it needed a head gasket repair on warranty. When I got it back, it used a lot of oil. The dealer did an oil test, and it used one quart every 1600 miles. They said that since that was more than one quart every 600 miles, it was fine. Today I still have the RV (61,614 miles) and it uses one quart every 450 miles, but Toyota will not fix it. I planned to never again buy a Toyota, but couldn't resist the 2004 Prius and the PIP. I still hope another car company beats the Prius for price, mileage and emissions with a gas engine so I can switch. All electric is not for me.
     
    Tracksyde and Aaron Vitolins like this.
  20. bfd

    bfd Plug-In Perpetuator

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2009
    659
    172
    0
    Location:
    Close to SDSU in the Far Southwest Corner of Cali
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Great outcome. Glad this got resolved, and I hope this fixes the problem.
     
    Tracksyde likes this.