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Replaced head gasket. And then...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Daniel Richard, Mar 20, 2020.

  1. Daniel Richard

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    I replaced the head gasket on my ‘10 Prius. It was leaking between the #1, and #2 cylinder. After I replaced the gasket now it is leaking into all cylinders. I checked the deck and head for clearance. Also, I used the correct torque specs. Any idea what is caused this? The head gasket I used was Ultra-power from Rock Auto and the head bolts were from them as well. They were Apex. Any ideas? I do not want to tear the motor down again without a solution before I start.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Coolant leaking into all four cylinders?
     
  3. Daniel Richard

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  4. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    How were the surfaces prepped?

    MLS head gaskets are very sensitive to surface finish.
     
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  5. Daniel Richard

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    I cleaned them with a razor blade. However, I have replaced a head gasket on another Prius with this same method and did not have any problems with that car.

    And I do understand the tolerances of a mls gasket and was very careful not to gouge the head or block.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe what they say here, about dragging the head after dropping down on the new head gasket??:



    To check for that, look for gaps all around the seam.
     
  7. Daniel Richard

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    I watch that video prior to
    Doing the job and I was carful about that too.
     
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  8. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Ultra-power isn’t exactly a quality brand of gaskets, so my guess is that the gasket itself failed.

    I would stay with Fel-Pro, Stone or the dealer gasket kit.
     
  9. Daniel Richard

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    Would there be a difference in design between the gaskets? The gasket itself wouldn’t have failed on all 4 cylinders on initial start up.
     
  10. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    If the thickness is incorrect I can foresee a sealing issue.
     
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  11. Daniel Richard

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    Its hard to make an argument about quality of a head gasket manufacturer without specific differences between different designs. Just because one is cheaper in price doesn’t make it any worse of a product.
     
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  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Well, you'll certainly have to remove it. I would do it carefully and see if there is anything that got
    stuck on either side of the gasket. Not sure if it's possible, but maybe it is on upside down?
    Or maybe it's not the correct one? Just some ideas...

     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Don't think it could be upside down anyway, the head is not symmetrical left/right or front/back.

    upload_2020-3-20_15-36-5.png
     
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  14. Daniel Richard

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    I am planning on taking the head off and machining both the block and head. Even though I measured the clearance, I am at a complete loss for why I am getting water in every cylinder.
     
  15. Daniel Richard

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    I was just hoping someone else had this issue and can point me in the right direction.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just for the record:

    upload_2020-3-20_16-20-22.png
    upload_2020-3-20_16-21-31.png
     

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  17. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    While your logic is sound, my real-world experiences with aftermarket parts says otherwise. Parts quality seems to be get worse every year and I have been burned enough times to only purchase from known-good suppliers.
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could the head be warped?
     
  19. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Since you've replaced a Prius head gasket before, I take it you did all the above from Mendel's post?
    But did you check the head to see if it was warped? With a known GOOD straightedge?
    As much as I hate to state it, "assuming" the gasket was good, surfaces clean, head bolts tightened in correct
    order and torque, then the head is likely warped, or cracked.
     
  20. Daniel Richard

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    I did buy a machinist straight edge to verify it wasn’t warped.
     
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