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Miles and decisions.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Andy H., Jan 27, 2021.

  1. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    I am the proud owner of a 2012 prius five which I bought brand new with 4 miles on it. I have posted on here before regarding rusted slide pins when replacing brake pads. My problem now is I'm at about 263k miles and I am getting some harsh oil consumption, about a quart ever 1k to 1500 miles, as well as the occasional knocking at startup in the morning. The knocking doesn't happen that often, it just sounds horrible. Recently I had a p0117 code pop up for coolant low sensor low or however it read. I did need to add coolant. I added that till it was at the correct level and erased the code. Same DTC came on the other day and levels were fine. I was originally just going to change PCV and possibly ad a catch can to see if that helped oil consumption. Now I'm wondering if it's time to replace headgasket. If thats the case I would do pcv, catch can, egr clean and everything else at that time. Any recommendations would be appreciated. My goal is to at least hit 300k but we'll see how that goes.

    SM-N960U ?
     
  2. Dilbone

    Dilbone Member

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    Has the EGR cleaning been done before?

    SM-G981V ?
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like a sound plan
     
  4. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    EGR cleaning has not been done before.

    SM-N960U ?
     
  5. Dilbone

    Dilbone Member

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    I'm no expert, but the HG on my 2011 failed at 232k, and again at 241k...both of which happened before I bought it. A friend of mine owned it and replaced the HG each time without having cleaned the EGR cooler...he didn't know...neither did I. The HG failed for the 3rd time at 248k, I did that one 1300mi ago and I also installed an OCC and cleaned the EGR cooler which was plugged solid.

    Everything except the oil consumption you described I also experienced in the weeks leading up to the decision to dive into this.

    Make sure you check the head for a warp, replace the valve stem seals, and check for a bent rod, but I'd say it sure sounds like the HG has given up the ghost.

    SM-G981V ?
     
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  6. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    How long does the HG replacement usually seem to take? I've found a few YT videos but they are all over the place. It should be able to be done in a weekend shouldn't it?

    SM-N960U ?
     
  7. Dilbone

    Dilbone Member

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    Yes, a weekend could do it. Just depends on how much trouble any of the fasteners give you and how many times you would have to stop and Google something.

    SM-G981V ?
     
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Unfortunately, oil burning and head gaskets have become chronic on gen3 Prius engines. Even some dealer mechanics are acknowledging the scope of the problem.

    Before I did anything I would consider the rest of the car, eg what else will it need? Are there any other common trouble spots like the hv battery and the abs system that are still original? Is the car's overall condition worth the repair? What is the kbb private party value in good condition?

    The problem is the engine is worn out (eg oil consumption and miles), has a bad head gasket (which warrants a lot of new parts while you are in there), may need a machined head (which will add downtime and cost), no doubt has a clogged egr cooler and may also leak oil.

    Just doing the head gasket with $500 worth of gaskets and fluids may disappoint when the oil keeps burning and perhaps other coolant and hydrolock related problems reappear. Especially if the car was run for any period of time since the rattling started.

    If the car was worth it, I would buy a low mile complete engine and have it rebuilt. Depending on the market, some have had this done for $3k-$5k, although dealers may ask $5k-$7k. But the car ends up with a like new engine, no leaks, no oil burning and no rattling. Plus factory mpg and another 150k worth of reliable engine life. With a low mile rebuilt engine, a clean car would easily add $3k-$5k of value at resale.
     
    #8 rjparker, Jan 28, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2021
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Plan on completely cleaning the EGR, and intake manifold too, or you’ll likely have another blown head gasket shortly, as alluded to by @Dilbone. Info:

    Bad Flywheel | PriusChat

    The oil consumption can be cured completely by swapping out the (low tension) piston rings (piston replacement a necessity too), for the revised rings/pistons specd for model year 2015. The most expeditious albeit more expensive route would be a new short block, an assembly consisting of everything below the head gasket. The assembly sells for around $2k US. Labour obviously extra. Info:

    How bad is the oil burning issue 2010 to 2015? | PriusChat
     
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  10. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    Well I went on and started tearing everything down. Got all my fluids ready for replacement the only thing stopping me is the dang crank pulley bolt!! Please tell me im not the only one who seems to have issues breaking it lose. Once im able to get that lose I should be able to go on with removing timing cover and everything else. I admit I originally wanted to film the entire procedure since I had a hard time finding a single video I liked that encompasses the entire process that im going thru but nope that didn't happen.

    SM-N960U ?
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @Gasket masters suggestion: get a beefy wrench and socket on it, with wrench handle pressed against solid metal on the “unscrew” side, and check ratchet is set for unscrewing as well. Then have someone kick the engine over, for just a split second.

    They demonstrate this in a how-to video, which sadly they have taken down.
     
  13. Dilbone

    Dilbone Member

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    My 900 ft-lb of torque impact wrench wasn't budging mine at 100psi on my regulator...had to bump the regulator up to 120+psi before it finally broke loose.

    SM-G981V ?
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Considering there’s no belts on the pulley, is the torque spec overkill? And/or if they’re really concerned about it breaking loose, lower torque spec and some sorta Woodruff Key??

    8B4C8F34-D72C-4777-A1A1-C42FBE3B3FD1.jpeg
     
  15. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    Finally got everything removed. Had some issues that made my heart stop for a bit. That issue has been resolved. Does anyone know the thread size and pitch off the top of their head, I am wantingto run a chasing tap down all head bolt threads. You would think I should know this after working at a Toyota manufacturing plant for 18 years. 20210321_172751.jpg 20210322_171101.jpg

    SM-N960U ?
     
    #15 Andy H., Mar 22, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2021
  16. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    And for the record I ended up purchasing a impact that had no trouble at all breaking the pulley bolt loose. 750 ft- lbs of fastening torque but 1200 ft-lbs of breakaway torque. 20210319_154207.jpg

    SM-N960U ?
     
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I’m thinking it’d be good to make jig for locking that pulley. Toyota makes a special tool, but it should be possible to cobble something, that locks on the pulley, has a lever arm that can bear on the garage floor ((or adjacent car body) and allow you to get a socket on the retaining bolt. Sure you can just slam it on with the impact tool, but if you want to apply the correct torque.
     
  18. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    Already have one made with flat steel stock and grade 8 bolts to screw into pulley holes and plant to floor.

    SM-N960U ?
     
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  19. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Actually they have a new hg video up today that shows this technique clearly.
     
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  20. Andy H.

    Andy H. Junior Member

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    I noticed that earlier. That video was much better than thier others ones due to the fact they explained things alot better and the view was better.

    SM-N960U ?