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Shudder, cylinder 3 misfire, check engine light

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Groundpounder17, Mar 6, 2019.

  1. Groundpounder17

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    hello,
    I’m a new member but have been reading on here for years.
    I have a 2014 Prius with around 219,000 miles. All of the sudden I got a shudder when changing to ICE at low speed and my check engine light came on. It showed a cylinder 3 misfire.

    I have just recently changed the spark plugs so after reading I think I need to clean my EGR assembly, EGR pipe and intake manifold and hope I haven’t blown a head gasket yet. I have noticed about significant loss in fuel efficiency over the last year and since the miss started it dropped significantly

    So while I’m cleaning the EGR sub assembly, EGR valve, EGR pipe, and intake manifold I plan to go ahead and do other maintenance as well.

    I plan to
    - change the PCV valve
    - clean the throttle body
    - change transmission fluid
    - change engine coolant
    - change inverter coolant.
    - clean/replace fuel filter

    Questions - Should I also replace?
    - engine water pump?
    - inverter pump?
    - thermostat ?
    - fuel injectors?
    - anything else?
    - replace the EGR valve instead of cleaning?

    I really need to keep this vehicle running and try to get another 200,000 miles out of it.

    Can anyone tell me if I’m going in the right direction? Should I replace the items I had questioned about? Anything I’m missing?

    Thanks in advance
     
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  2. Groundpounder17

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    Can anyone recommend a good dealer to order parts from online? My dealer is very expensive and it looks like I will be needing a lot of parts
     
  3. tweedle99

    tweedle99 Member

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    Dont forget EGR cooler. You can buy a cooler from junk yard to pre-clean ahead of time. When i took off my EGR cooler last month, it was really clogged. Luckily i bought a spare and pre clean so i just need to clean the EGR valve and pipes which was quick. this will speed up your maintenance..

    I'm still trying to clean out the original EGR cooler. Had to get some wire to poke thru and then now just doing Oxy clean soak.

    I would replace the coolant engine pump and the thermostat since all the coolant are already drained. Besides they're next to each other. cheap insurance.
     
  4. Groundpounder17

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    Well I’m now starting to worry about a blown head gasket. If that is the case I’m sure I’ll be looking at more extensive damage. My water levels haven’t dropped any but I thought my oil had a hint of milkiness and 3 days ago I had some strong smelling white smoke from the exhaust. I’m continuing to monitor the exhaust, oil and water levels.
     
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  5. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Before doing a bunch of maintenance (which is never a bad thing, but maintenance rarely resolves actual problems), figure out why the vehicle is misfiring. Swap positions of your coils. Check if the EGR is clogged (if it isn't, probably not your problem). Pressure test the cooling system overnight and check each cylinder for coolant intrustion using an inspection camera.
     
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  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Get an inspection camera. Leave the car parked for several hours, then remove each spark plug and inspect. My problem was quite obvious - cyl #2 was wet with coolant.

    My story here:
    2011 Prius Headgasket Failure | Page 2 | PriusChat
     
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  7. Groundpounder17

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    Thanks. I’ll try this
     
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  8. Joele3

    Joele3 Active Member

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    Camelback toyota based out of AZ. Look them up I dont know if i'm allowed to post links. No tax and small shipping fee.
     
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  9. Groundpounder17

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    Thanks!! I’ll check them out
     
  10. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    But don’t go too long, otherwise it will self destruct like mine did last year. Then you have bigger issue.
     
    #10 cnc97, Mar 6, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2019
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  11. Groundpounder17

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    What happened?
     
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would let sleeping dogs lie, that one is difficult, and expensive.

    Same as above.

    Try cleaning first. If it's seriously clogged, and it likely is, pressure washer might be the best course. @Raytheeagle knows some tips, what sort of pressure washer, etcetera.

    I was able to soak mine clean with OxiClean solutions, it took about 5~6 one hour soaks, as hot and concentrated as possible: plug one end, fill it, and let it sit and bubble. Rinse and repeat.

    Good video on the head gasket replacement. They're cutting a few corners, but lots of good tips:

     
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  13. Groundpounder17

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    I thought the fuel filter was under the back seat and easy to access?

    As far as the injectors should I at least try to clean them? If I’m going to have to tear all the way down to do the head gasket I’m wondering if I need to go ahead and consider doing everything I can while I’m there.

    I’m still hoping I don’t have a blown head gasket
     
  14. Groundpounder17

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    Ok so a few more questions

    1. So I know while I have it apart I will go ahead and change out the engine water pump. I was looking on rockauto and noticed several water pump options. Should I go with the Aisin, Beck/Arnley or some other water pump they have?

    2. Also should I go ahead and replace the inverter pump also?

    3. I can’t seem to find the parts or part numbers for the inverter coolant drain plug gasket/o-ring or the transmission fill plug and drain plug gaskets/o-rings? Does anyone know these part numbers?

    I’m sure I will have plenty more questions along the way. Thank you all so much for the insight and help. This site has been incredibly helpful.

    Thanks
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You can just ask for those, as you've described them, at any local Toyota dealership parts department.
     
  16. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    This is the result of coolant filling #1 cylinder and the ICE getting called up for duty.
     

    Attached Files:

  17. Groundpounder17

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    Oh, wow. That is devastating. I’m keeping an eye on coolant levels and engine oil. I have ordered quite a few parts and plan to stop driving the car and start tearing it down ASAP
     
  18. Groundpounder17

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    Thanks. I’ll do that today
     
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  19. Muneeb

    Muneeb Junior Member

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    Hi its a good idea and source of problem so yes just do the clean and if possible change the EGR valve instead of the cleaning but make sure EGR cooler is clean and shinny before you put it back and the following will help you to maintain.
    change the PCV valve - clean the throttle body - change transmission fluid - change engine coolant - change inverter coolant
    Dont worry about anything else just put the new spark plugs clean the throttle body egr piper egr cooler and new egr valve should resolve the issue.
     
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  20. Groundpounder17

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    So far this is what I have planned to do except for the EGR valve I was just going to try to clean. while I’m there I’m wondering if I should go ahead and replace the water pump and inverter pump. The inverter pump isn’t too expensive but the water pump is quite high. I found some on RockAuto, but the Aisin and Beck/Arnley are still around $250. I don’t know which of the two is better