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Poll: Replace Engine & HV or Part out (2010 IV)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by ms.chevious, Mar 22, 2020.

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  1. ms.chevious

    ms.chevious Junior Member

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    Hi All,
    I've been dealing with the oil burning for 30k+ miles. I had done the EGR, spark plugs, intake but nothing helped it.. maybe it was too late. The oil isn't milky though there is evidence of some coolant loss.
    Recently it had a more violent cold start shake followed by a knock sound following the cadence of the wheels rolling one revolution.. don't know what it could've been as it's gone now. Check engine light still on.
    The repair shop said engine replacement would cost ~$2,000, plus HV battery needs to be replaced ~$2,500-$3,500 and new water pump. I pulled some of the codes:
    003 fuel volume regulator control - circuit low
    203, injector 3 - circuit malfunction
    300, permanent, random/multiple cylinder - misfire
    302, cylinder 2 - misfire detected
    303, cylinder 3 - misfire detected
    304, cylinder 4 - misfire detected

    I need a car for long mileage commute. If I repair it, it doesn't seem like it's worth it given the car has 170k miles and all other parts may start failing soon as well. But to sell it for $1,000 for scrap doesn't see financially wise as well. I'm wondering what all of you would recommend. With this corona issue, money is tight but I need a reliable car for 20k+ miles of driving per year.

    Some options
    a) repair just the engine and water pump ~$2,000.. leave the HV as is.. probably will get 30 mpg but better than nothing..
    b) sell the car for $1,000
    c) start parting out the car.. the leather seats and navigation system have to count for something?? ;/

    Thanks for your help.
     
    #1 ms.chevious, Mar 22, 2020
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Those codes are weird; is somebody leaving off the first two characters? What was used to read them?

    There are various reasons an engine can be misfiring. It can sound like the hammers of doom if it's misfiring badly, then purr like a kitten if the problem is fixed, which sometimes is something easy.

    But letting the misfires go on too long increases the chances of mechanical damage from all the banging, or catalytic converter damage from receiving unburned fuel.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Mar 22, 2020
  3. scona

    scona Active Member

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    You need a new car. Push the Prius to the back of the driveway, it has so little value now that how you dispose of it has no effect on your future transportation needs. Interest rates are low, time to move on.
     
    #3 scona, Mar 22, 2020
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Since actual daily mileage driving and money saved to buy another car wasn’t disclosed, sell it as is & get a prius prime.
     
    #4 Grit, Mar 22, 2020
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    buy something that no one wants right now for cheap money. don't worry about gas prices for the foreseeable future
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 22, 2020
  6. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

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    Not knowing how thoroughly you and your mechanic have inspected things so far, beyond the codes, but ...

    The last 4 codes listed are all "just" misfires. In most cars, a true misfire in one cylinder may show up as codes on several others as well.

    The fuel injector code could be a true problem, which may well be causing all 4 misfire codes, at least.

    Could it be that the mechanic's diagnosis was hasty and based simply on misfires and the notoriety of these cars for HG issues as they approach 200k miles?

    170k miles is pretty new still. I would look into that fuel injector #3 circuit malfunction at least. Maybe you've got a loose wire. I mean, at least before you crush the car ...

    Of course a hybrid battery on its way out is completely unrelated.
     
    #6 2012 Prius v wagon 3, Mar 22, 2020
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    For anyone similarly challenged: I think the "HV" in the title means "Hybrid Battery".

    @ms.chevious : to help responders, where are you? In the States?
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Mar 22, 2020
  8. ms.chevious

    ms.chevious Junior Member

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    Thanks for the responses. The car has been drinking oil for some time. Once it starts running low, when I accelerate from idle, it'll make a gurgling noise coming from the engine. I drive about 70 miles per weekday. The engine codes have a P before it like P0300. I'm in Los Angeles.
     
    #8 ms.chevious, Mar 22, 2020
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  9. ms.chevious

    ms.chevious Junior Member

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    Are there any "safe" years where the prius was more durable? I feel the 2010 has shown many issues with HG or some other form of oil burn.
     
    #9 ms.chevious, Mar 22, 2020
  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I saw some where that HV means Hybrid Vehicle. I can't remember where I saw it, but did see it several times.
    I guess it would depend on what they were talking about, and whom...

     
    #10 ASRDogman, Mar 23, 2020
    Mendel Leisk and Grit like this.
  11. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I have an early 2010, and NO problems. I use about 1 quart per 10,000 miles oil changes.
    Unlessssss...... I'm driving 70mph and driving faster around town. 85% of my driving is highway.
    I have 199,931 miles on it. I got it at 116,xxx.

    I would say it depends on HOW you are driving it and if you do the schedules maintenance on time.
    And cleaning the egr circuit, which is not normal maintenance. I last cleaned mine at 139,000.
    I don't think the previous owner cleaned it. They drove most highway miles also.

    2015 would be the "best" bet for the 3rd generation. It would have the latest updates. And they did change
    the pistons and rings.

     
    #11 ASRDogman, Mar 23, 2020
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