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misfiring due coolant leak into cylinder.....:(

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Universe, Apr 6, 2017.

  1. Universe

    Universe Junior Member

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    Namaste beautiful souls:)
    newby here... just bought my first car 4 month ago, 2013 toyota prius V, with 154.00 miles... (did not know better or anything about cars:(...
    right away check engine light went on, i tried to return but the seller was fraud.....
    so now i am with coolant leak into cylinder causing misfire... car shakes very very hard when i start, and getting worse, coolant loosing within 3 days, small steam does coming out of exhaust....
    all this i have learned talking to mechanics... changed spark plugs and coils but nothing changed.....
    the only advice they give instead of fixing head gasket is buying new engine....:((( huge huge expense...
    please if you have any experience with this, any advice , reliable mechanic specialist for priuses in Los Angeles and around , i would deeply appreciate any information. also can i still drive it and add just water into coolant? what else could be cause? shall i fix head gasket or buy new engine with low miles, where would i look for it?
    Thank you, Thank you , Thank you
    living with hope:)
     
    m.wynn likes this.
  2. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    This is becoming more common on high mileage Gen 3s. Check with Avi at Hybrid Fix in Los Angeles.
     
    m.wynn likes this.
  3. Universe

    Universe Junior Member

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    thank you! doing it:)
     
  4. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    My sister currently is in the same situation as you. Same problem. She bought a low mileage engine for $1000 and my dad is going to install it for her. The "new" has 40k her car has 180k on the odometer
     
  5. prius cabbie

    prius cabbie Junior Member

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    The water pump should be replaced every 80,000 miles. The 1 or 4 cylinder missing is common. The only real fix is a new or rebuilt engine. It's bad news but that's the way it is. Cutting corners will just result in the chech engine light coming back on.
     
  6. prius cabbie

    prius cabbie Junior Member

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    I am a cab driver in NYC it happened to my 2013 at 99,000 and other cabbies priuses. Expensive but nothing you can do. Get the pump when you get the engine.
     
  7. prius cabbie

    prius cabbie Junior Member

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    Again I can't stress enough the importance of doing it right the first time. Don't waste loot cutting corners. New plugs etc may work for a few days but it is 100% the check engine light will return. Get an engine and water pump. I feel for you and myself too.
     
  8. b100

    b100 Member

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    But its just a head gasket.
    Just replace the head gasket and i should run fine, thats a alot less work than another engine.
    1 day work tops
     
    Tbkilb01 likes this.
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    follow avi's advice. he's a member here, and a crackerjack prius tech.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  10. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    I can pull the motor faster than doing a head gasket. Timing chain cover is a pain with the motor in the car, re-applying the grey rtv on the timing cover with motor in is no fun. It can be done. There are also two parts to the head that have to come apart. The best result is using a motor stand.
     
  11. prius cabbie

    prius cabbie Junior Member

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    She did the right thing. Change the water pump every 80,000. So another 40,000 for you.