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Prius engine slightly stumbles..

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Rob Stone, Feb 11, 2019.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I like jackstands AND a big chunk of wood, thicker than rib cage or head.

    Yeah: EGR circuit cleaning, Intake Manifold cleaning, Oil Catch Can install. Watch @NutzAboutBolts videos, pinned at top of 3rd gen maintenance sub-forum, there's video covering all of these.

    An easy first step is to check the EGR "pipe", connecting between EGR valve and intake manifold.

    A couple of coolant related tips:

    1. If you're lifting off the throttle body, there's no need to remove it's coolant hoses: just lift the throttle body out of the way and tie it off to the inverter with some twine.

    2. When removing the EGR valve/cooler, if you first drain 2 quarts of coolant at the radiator drain spigot, into a clean container, you'll have no spillage when the coolant lines are pulled off. Just be careful when removing the cooler, there'll be a little coolant trapped at the lower back corner. When done pour all drained coolant back into the reservoir; the level may be a bit high, but should settle back down with a little driving.

    3. Hang onto the EGR cooler back gasket when removal: it has no clips and is very easy to drop.

    4. Probably best to remove engine underpanel before starting on full EGR removal: access from below is handy, and if you drop things there's a chance they'll fall right through.

    Unusual tools:

    E8 torx socket (for EGR cooler/valve stud removal)
    E6 torx socket (for throttle body stud removal, not mandatory, but safer than leaving them on)
    A 12 mm ratcheting box wrench is is not mandatory but handy, for disconnectin EGR cooler from exhaust.

    Some threads:

    EGR & Intake Manifold Clean Results | PriusChat

    Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat

    And some repair manual info:
     
    #21 Mendel Leisk, Feb 11, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
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  2. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    Correction 239,000
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You should actually clean out the EGR pipe and things will improve. Takes less than half hour and you'll see how plugged up that pipe is with carbon
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah the EGR pipe is easy first step, and gives good feedback.

    Properly functioning EGR is apparently keeping engine temperatures down, and if it's run a protracted period pretty much clogged, you may be having head gasket failure. Do a leak-down test?
     
  5. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    That is the plan! Thanks!
     
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  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Cleaning the pipe itself won't improve a whole lot. But its still crucial to see what's inside because it gives you an idea how clean the rest of the EGR path is.
     
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  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you can take a few pictures along the way to your repair process. Hopefully we can see the car's EGR circuit at 230k+ miles and if what you're doing will solve the issue.
     
  8. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    I had miles wrong. It’s close to 139,000.....
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I know where you're coming from...
     
  10. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    Lol yea getting old and senile. Lol
     
  11. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    Started thinking about it more, the 12 volt battery is 2015 vintage. Guessing it is time to replace too, How do I get the 2015 Prius screen to display battery voltages?
     
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    These batteries are quite robust, I think you'll be fine with the 2015 battery for a few more years.

    You should only use a multimeter to check the voltage, other methods will not be reliable
     
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  13. litesong

    litesong Active Member

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    I'd suggest 87 octane ethanol-free gasoline first, but you don't have any near Portsmouth.
     
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  14. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    But is there a way to have the HUD display the battery voltage? Seems like my 2004 did it.....
     
  15. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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  16. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    Almost ready to replace spark plugs and inspect EGR plumbing.

    Time for dinner first!
     
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  17. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    B9011FD8-7BF0-4F77-BE19-28FBAA1A0F06.jpeg How does the plastic shroud come off of the EGR tube at the intake manifold connection? Also, how do I get the Ziptie holders free from the metal backing??
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    See that bolt head in the middle of the shroud? Sneak a 10 mm box wrench over it and press hard when turning. Or maybe a compact 1/4" ratchet wrench with regular length socket? It's a pain.

    To release the zip ties from the metal bracket needle nose pliers with bent tips (45 deg work good). And/or plastic fastener pry tool. Maybe the two together. Another pain, lol.

    Sometimes those fasteners are easier to get at when the component is half off.

    Watch @NutzAboutBolts videos, he deals with all of these. Makes it look too easy. :cautious:
     
    #38 Mendel Leisk, Feb 16, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2019
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  19. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    Thanks!
     
  20. Rob Stone

    Rob Stone Junior Member

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    14BA6634-47DF-486B-B7FB-B3EB3EF747F0.jpeg Replaced the plugs. Hopefully engine runs better. 139,000 miles on these.
     
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