2010 Prius IV Blown Headgasket

Should’ve gotten another engine instead for same price

 

welcome!

sorry to hear about your bad experience. i would look around for someone who could put in a salvage engine if possible.

 

Yeah this is where you need to back up: the common alternative to head end refurb is to simply swap in a new engine. One route a couple of pioneers have done is to swap in a fourth gen (2016 onward) engine. They are relatively cheap and low mileage, taken from wrecks. They're around $1500~2500 (dependent on mileage and condition), and I've heard "LKQ" mentioned a few times, as a reliable engine source for salvage engines. Note: there are several mods needed to make this work, but there's one guy here (@Ragingfit) who has pioneered what's needed, has a couple of projects done and back on the road. Of course with labour you could be easily back into $3600 territory, but food for thought. Here's the guy who's done it, no trivial task, but not over the moon either:

Swapping in a Gen 4 Prius' 2ZR Engine into the Prius v | PriusChat

Note: he's doing this in a Prius v, but he previously did the same swap in a regular third gen. Also, he is not done with the videos, there are more to come. If they're not linked yet on Priuschat go directly to YouTube.

When the dust is settled, two other issues, that likely contributed to your head gasket failure: Exhaust Gas Recirculation clogging (all the way along and into the intake manifold), and Positive Crankcase Ventilation system fouling the intake manifold as well. Periodic cleaning of the EGR circuit, and installation of an Oil Catch Can on the PCV circuit should help with these. Watch @NutzAboutBolts videos on the topic, pinned at top of 3rd gen maintenance forum.

 

Save up more $$$$$ you'll need it.................