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Engine variants & shop reluctance to swap user-supplied parts

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by rooshio, Jan 14, 2020.

  1. rooshio

    rooshio Junior Member

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    I found a cheap replacement engine on the internet. But now I'm having trouble finding someone willing to swap it out for me.

    Every mechanic freaks out when I mention supplying my own engine, grumbling something about too many variations that makes it too much a pain or something.

    What's up with this? As far as I know, there's only 2 engines for the 2nd gen prius, and the one I have is VIN B.

    Any chance of explaining it's a guaranteed fit or explicitly freeing them of liability (since the engine includes part/labor warranty)?
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Keep trying... You'll find someone... Full on shops with lots of employees & overhead are focused on doing the most profitable work only. You need to find a mechanic with low overhead and no employees who's trustworthy and has lots of experience.
     
  3. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Post the pictures of the engine here, let's see.
     
  4. cthindi

    cthindi Member

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    Shops charge substantial markup on aftermarket parts they procure. That possibly could be the reason.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i didn't know there was more than one gen 2 engine
     
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    There isn't but there's minor upgrades... For exampe Gen2 Inverters before July2007 are not compatible with cars with Gen2 Inverters made after that month. They refer to it as a "split year."
     
  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Can you provide any details as to what makes them incompatible? Curious because I have both 2005 and 2007 inverters on the shelf as spares. Having not looked closely at them, is it just a part number difference, or can they truly not be interchanged?
     
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  8. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    This is something the various wreckers had in their parts reference... I recall on PriusChat coming across an explanation about some upgrades addressing some problems and if I remember correctly the ECUs have a slightly different conversation with the ones made after July 2007, but I don't know specific or reverse compatability. Just know that all the used parts suppliers were aware of it...