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2008 Prius Motor Swap

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by anderw1, Jul 16, 2019.

  1. anderw1

    anderw1 New Member

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    i Just bought a 2008 200,000 mile Prius with hole in the bottom of the motor in phoenix as a project for my sons first car.

    I found salvage motor with 65,000 miles for $650. I am tempted to swap the motor on my own.
    if not any phoenix shop recommendations?
    what stuff should replace durring the swap? timing, plugs, wafer pump?
    this is my first hybrid swap.
     

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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    65,000 motor sounds too good to be true, you should run a car fax on the VIN.
     
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  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest the transaxle also should be replaced since the car logged 200K miles.

    The engine coolant pump and serpentine belt should be replaced. Also look at the condition of the front suspension and replace struts and other worn parts as needed.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Jul 17, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
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  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Like pat says replace the engine/trans as one unit. Lots of threads on this here please use the

    search forums

    button up top and search the G2 section.

    If you do buy that combo before putting them in the car I would change the engine spark plugs and pcv valve and valve cover gasket. I would pull the valve cover off anyway just to see how well the engine was taken care of oil wise. Please take pictures of the engine valve train and post here.
    Replace the only belt on the front of the engine. Look closely at the engine water pump weep hole and if weeping replace the pump.

    All of the above are supper easy with the engine out.
     
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  5. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    That’s what happens when you don’t check the oil level in a gen 2 Prius. They are known for burning oil and people don’t check them. Let your son know that as a lesson in checking the oil every week or two.

    How long has the car been sitting?
     
  6. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    I don’t see the reasoning of changing the trans. It was obviously functioning well enough to operate when the engine let go, and the failure rate of the trans is likely in the barely whole number percentage of all the numbers of Gen 2 Prii on the road.

    But if you secured a package deal on a low mile engine/trans combo, I’d fully support that swap as a whole.
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. The car has 200K miles on the odometer and the transaxle is not going to last forever.
    2. The car's prior owner most likely allowed the engine oil level to drop down to almost zero in order for the engine damage to occur.
    3. It is unlikely that the prior owner performed any preventive maintenance on the transaxle if s/he could not be bothered to periodically check the engine oil level, hence there is no reason to think the transaxle is going to last longer due to having a pampered life.
    4. The incremental labor effort to replace the transaxle is zero if the service method is to lower the engine out the bottom of the car.
    5. The incremental cost to purchase a replacement used transaxle is likely to be around $200-$300.
     
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  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    We would love to read and share in your R+R adventure/write up here on PriusChat, and please include those progress pictures.
    Another member had success with Star Auto in Phoenix, paid 800 for a 130k donor including install if not mistaken :

    Heart Transplant at 278,000 miles | PriusChat

    Keep us posted, and don't forget the photos.
     
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  9. anderw1

    anderw1 New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I will check with star auto. The 65k motor was sold. I have six months to get it done. I will not be working too fast in the AZ heat. Today I removed the wipers tray, the air intake, washer bottle, and most of the wiring connections. I am following the gen 3 video guides there is some guessing. I am wondering if will need to remove the pulleys to get it out through the top.
    I picked the car for a grand. It has new tires, new window tinting, back up camera, and a full tank of gas so I think I got a good deal. It is for my 15 year old's first car.
     

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  10. anderw1

    anderw1 New Member

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    Thanks SFO,
    i don't see a "star auto" in phoenix. Do see "five star auto exchange". So far the cheapest price i see is 1800 parts and labor.
    Let me know if you have the name of the shop or member who found the great price.
     
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If you are not planning to get the engine installed in the near future, my suggestion is that you try to remove much of the fuel and use it in another vehicle rather than have the gasoline age and deteriorate.

    You can obtain the factory repair manual at techinfo.toyota.com which I highly recommend so that you do not need to guess while performing this complex task.
     
  12. anderw1

    anderw1 New Member

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    I see a downloadable manual on jaygroh site I'll checkout motor EM and ES sections. thanks!

     
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  13. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    It’s probably easier to drop the entire unit down rather than lift it up.
     
  14. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Here is the "Heart Transplant at 278,000 miles | PriusChat" thread again, as was linked above. But will ping @SnT08Prius for additional input.
     
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  15. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    No one else has mentioned it, so let me be the first to point out that you will probably be looking to install a new hybrid battery as soon as you get the ICE replaced. Long periods of non-use and heat kill the HV batteries on these older Prii. I hope you go through with the project anyway, but be aware that it could get even more expensive.
     
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  16. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    I’m going to point out that one year ago my Gen 3 with 213k on it tossed a rod. It sat for a total of three weeks, but I’m in Indiana, and it was only in the low 90’s for temperature. Getting 49 mpg currently with 227k on it, and have travelled as far as 625 miles on a tank of fuel. I’d say that if the swap is done timely, the risk of long term battery damage is reduced substantially.
     
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  17. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I can't help but think he means engine when he says motor, as both the motors are in the transaxle.
     
  18. anderw1

    anderw1 New Member

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    Thanks all. Star auto replaced the entire ICE motor for a $1000 (parts and labor). It runs great. I have three minor issue error code p0453 evap pressure sensor, P1150 error, and AC is not working.
     
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  19. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Anything worth sharing about the business, or the mechanics?

    How many miles on the donor engine?

    Did you inherit those DTCs after the swap?

    Here is the workup for DTC P0453 : https://share.qclt.com/%E4%B8%B0%E7%94%B0%E6%99%AE%E7%91%9E%E6%96%AF%E5%8E%9F%E5%8E%82%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8Cpdf%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F/Repair%20Manual/04pruisr/05/2054m/cip0451a.pdf

    Here is the workup for DTC P1150 : https://share.qclt.com/%E4%B8%B0%E7%94%B0%E6%99%AE%E7%91%9E%E6%96%AF%E5%8E%9F%E5%8E%82%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8Cpdf%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F/Repair%20Manual/04pruisr/05/2054m/cip1150a.pdf