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Head gasket EGR or the 2ZR Engine 2010 prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by johnnychimpo, Dec 30, 2020.

  1. johnnychimpo

    johnnychimpo Active Member

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    Just got a blown head gasket on my 2010 looks like the EGR cooler completely clogged. I ordered a new motor so is it just bad gaskets on the 2010 and 2011 or is it the EGR systems need regular cleaning or is it just the 2ZR engine that has a bad design which one is it?????? I see folks putting in 2018 motors in their 2010 it is the same 2ZR engine is it not? I am considering doing the upgrade but if its the same motor it seem pointless unless its the EGR system that is better. just not bad head gaskets for that year. Can anyone clarify??????
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    2010-2014 have bad piston rings that often cause excessive oil burning and blowby. Egr clogging and pcv oil in the intake are more problematic as a result. Probably thermal cycling plays a factor and then the head gasket itself. High speed driving is suspect as are long duration oil changes.

    Given you have already bought an engine and there is no telling what year it is, be sure the "new" egr cooler is clean, install a good $200 oil catch can and change oil every 5k miles. You should be fine for another 100k miles.
     
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    2015 they changed the pistons and rings.
    This model engine is used in other Toyota and they don't seem to have oil burning problems.
    It's something about the engine stopping and starting, heating and cooling cycles that creates problems.
    Those that drive mostly highway miles don't seem to have this problem as much.

    Are you getting a NEW engine, or new to YOU engine? If it's a used Gen3 and NOT 2015, you could get
    the new 2015 pistons and rings and install them. And replace the valve guide seals.
    If it's a GEN4 engine, you're okay. And you can use your GEN3 head.
    Just keep the EGR system cleaned and you'll be okay for a long time.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think the 3rd gen Exhaust Gas Recirculation can clog up just fine even without the help of oil consumption. Engine overheats, starting at cylinder one end first, head gasket fails.

    If you don’t have runaway oil consumption I’d just do the head gasket, then clean the Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Intake Manifold (Exhaust Gas Recirculation passages in particular).
     
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    You didn't mention mileage, but I'll play for averages and presume your car has somewhere around 150,000 miles on the clock.
    Depending on how "new" your "new" motor is you're looking at probably at least another 10y and 150,000 miles now that you know about the oil change periodicity being too long and the EGR circuit.
    If you're planning on keeping the car past 20 years and 300,000 miles then.....YES, you might be doing this again.

    It's the kind of thing one expects when driving teenaged cars with lunar mileage.
    As mentioned above, shorten BOTH your oil change and oil check intervals, and figure out an EGR strategery.

    Be cautious with the Oil Catch Can.
    You live behind the tinsel curtain!
     
  6. johnnychimpo

    johnnychimpo Active Member

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    Is there any way to tell from the engine what model year it came from? And I might be able to get a 2015 as they have not delivered
    I may be able to upgrade that being said I seen a vidoe where a guyd does the swap and just make a coouple mods Engine fits right in is this true?
     
  7. johnnychimpo

    johnnychimpo Active Member

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    I had 178k on the engine. I changed the oil whenever it said too. My Prius never burned oil so it and 80 freeway on flat road got this prius with 98k so within 80k the engine was ruined! The EGR was clogged for sure I cleaned all this out and it runs great but definatly has leaking head gasket. what oil catch can should I get?
     
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  8. johnnychimpo

    johnnychimpo Active Member

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    supposedly engine has 50k miles from japan. how often should I change oil and clean EGR system
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    #9 Mendel Leisk, Dec 30, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2020
  10. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    The invisible kind, if you live where a tyrannical government can inspect your car without your permission, for material that's not on the approved list.....

    (Oil catch cans are not CARB compliant)
     
  11. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I don't believe there is a way to tell a JDM engine's year as they don't come with vin plates. They do have egrs so a quick look at the cooler might give a clue as to its actual miles.

    There is a misconception that no "excessive" oil consumption means that oil is not flowing through the egr and pcv systems. First the oily mess in the intake comes from somewhere. Second, blowby introduces fuel and condensation into the oil. In worse case scenarios such as Honda's turbo direct injection engines, the oil level can actually rise. So changing the oil frequently is primarily to maintain oil quality. 5k mile intervals with the new spec GF-6A oil.

    If I am buying a low mile engine that I trust to be genuine low miles, then I would just use it. Otherwise I would spend a little more while it was out and rebuild it, pistons, rings, machined heads, new complete gasket set. Which is what a dealer would do for their high price. And I would keep my speed below 70. At high flat road speeds the engine is doing almost all the work.


    ---------------------------
    The egr on a gen4 is different. They pick up the exhaust after its cleaned up by the catalytic converter instead of before the cat like the gen3. But some modify the gen4 egr to mimic the gen3. Why is not clear to me, either for space or for compatibility with the gen3 ecus.

    ---------------------------
    Cliff Notes from 2015 Press Release:

    [A new design of anything always points to the flaws of its predecessor]

    The 2016’s engine is completely re-engineered. Its thermal efficiency is higher at 40 percent.

    It includes redesigned intake ports to get more air in, and redesigned coolant passages to cool the engine more effectively.

    A large-volume exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system adds to the improvements, as does the improved exhaust heat recirculation system.

    Other upgrades are redesigned internals to cut mechanical friction losses by the piston skirts, other reciprocating parts, and a new oil pump to circulate low viscosity oil.

    ---------------------------
    New Spec Oil

    Think Thin: GF-6 Is The Latest Spec In The World of Engine Oil
     
    #11 rjparker, Dec 30, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2020
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  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I'm certain there is a number somewhere on the block that would tell Toyota what model year it is.
    Or at least when it was made so they know which parts are in it. But I don't know what or where. Sorry.

    Why not rebuild yours? Or just replace the head gasket, replace the valve guide seals and have head
    checked to make sure it's not warped.
    If you were planning to do it yourself, you can pull the block and replace the pistons and rings.


     
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  13. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    From that, was it possible that the clogged egr led to gasket failure?
     
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  14. johnnychimpo

    johnnychimpo Active Member

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    1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg

    It is frustrating to not know what year car this used engine came from. here is the engine if it tells you anything about it.
    so with this new (used) engine Im going to need new gaskets for the exhaust and intake, what brand/type should I get?
    Also is there a best practices on new engine like clean egr circuit at certain mileage or change oil at certain mileage
    Thanks in advance. Once more thing what is reasonable oil catch can?
     
  15. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    As indicated previously, the vin plate allows a year decode. But they are almost always removed by resellers. The separate metal plates were installed in the circled area of the last attached file.

    Removing and inspecting the egr cooler is an easy way to judge age and prepares you for the more difficult cleaning in the future with the engine installed.

    Most recommend Toyota gaskets since they are low cost but killers if you have to do it twice because the aftermarket was not quality.

    Catch cans are best with good volume, baffling, sintered bronze filter and bottom drains installed with an added valve and drain hose. Remember to drain them or they are worse than not having one. Which is the reason they don't come standard.
    1CFECF8E-3E94-43CE-99E4-1FE4E87A485A.jpeg
     

    Attached Files:

    #15 rjparker, Dec 31, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2020
  16. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Just remember - in CA, you will not pass smog with a catch can. The car will fail the visual inspection component of the emissions test since there was tampering.

    If you get another 100k out of the car itself, you are doing fairly well. A 178K Prius will probably need a battery and other wear items in the next 100K. So, I would not be concerned about getting another 178K out of the replacement engine as it will not be economically feasible to keep the car after a certain point.
     
  17. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Never lived in a state with inspections. Do they remove the front splash shield under the engine?

    moto g power ?
     
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I wonder if they’d notice these; it is a flash pic:

    E4A4E88F-C6FE-422D-9FAA-0683F0FE0E1C.jpeg
     
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  19. johnnychimpo

    johnnychimpo Active Member

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    I you only need to smog every two years so I will just remove it and put it back its not hard.
     
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  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    All depends on where you go what they check for;).

    But the splash shield stays on:).

    They are supposed to perform the visual inspection and anything "added", fails:cool:.

    But I know a guy, so I'll choose wisely (y).
     
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