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If you could rebuild a high mileage Gen 3....what parts would you replace?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by BrianStranded, May 6, 2021.

  1. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    This magic site called PriusChat where you learn from the experience of others so you so not make the same mistakes they dod. @TMR-JWAP has seen the "quality" of many of these packs after the owners gave up on the warranty & he spent the time & effort to rebuild them properly.
     
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I repeat:
    Wow! Where in the world did you find the time to check every commercially rebuilt or reconditioned battery?????
    Where you able to stop time? That's amazing!
     
  3. oasmith

    oasmith Junior Member

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    Abdullah has excellent suggestions, as well as Leadfoot's bearings suggestion. I can't think of much more to add, other than maybe have a spare EGR cooler for when you do the regular cleaning of the intake manifold and EGR valve. It can take a long time (like a full day of multiple treatments) to clean out all the carbon gunk in the cooler, so if you had a spare you could have that one all shiny clean and ready to go.
    Just thought of another suggestion that N&B made a video of - cleaning the battery fan.
    Best of luck! They do need regular, intensive cleanings, but I'm at 345,000ish miles and still getting some 50mpg tanks.
     
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  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_O
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That’s by member @NutzAboutBolts , videos linked here:

    Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat

    one thing, contrary to the video, you really don’t need to pull the rear seat out; just push apart the seat and back, reach through to remove a single bolt with a long extension. It’s 12 mm socket size IIRC.
     
  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I hope you understand that is not a reasonable or practical objective........but it sounds like you don't.

    Have you ever rebuilt an engine before ?
    If not, it likely is REALLY not a good plan.

    How are you going to get the engine OUT and back IN the car if you find a rebuilt one ??
     
  7. BrianStranded

    BrianStranded Member

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    345k damnnn. On a Gen 3?

    I believe the fan has been serviced but I’m adding this to the to do.

    How will I get the engine out and back in? With tools bro! I don’t understand your question.

    I’ve rebuilt 5 engines, none were Prius. I’m not scared to dig in a car this isn’t my first rodeo, but if this 2011 Prius engine rebuild is especially difficult please do explain
     
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  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Your original question sounded like it was coming from a complete rookie.
    You can't just lift an engine out with your bare hands.

    IF......you have that much experience, why are you asking the question in the first place ?
    Prius engines are not THAT much different.
    All of the basics are pretty much the same........and the same parts fail with wear and age.

    Good luck.
     
  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I believe you need to remove the wipers and cowling to pull the engine.
     
    #29 Prodigyplace, May 15, 2021
    Last edited: May 15, 2021
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  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Reliable as new. Actually you want better than that if you plan to keep it many years. Piston and rings should be changed to improved versions. Rebuilt head while its torn down. Clean egr and intake manifold and take notes so its easier next time. Might as well change the two coolant pumps and radiator fans for reliability. Replace inverter or be prepared for it unless the records show it has been done. Otherwise you might get stranded in Van Horn again.

    Same goes for the brake actuator unless it has been changed. This is a safety issue, worse than Van Horn.

    Gen4 engine sounds good but you end up installing the gen3 egr and head from what I understand.

    Bottom line, better pistons and rings will prevent "excessive" oil burning that Toyota specs as greater than a quart every 1200 miles. Sadly many early gen3s do burn at that rate and some owners end up running out of oil before they know it. The excessive blowby sends carbon everywhere and pushes oil into the intake via the pcv. Brake by wire and high voltage power system control updates are a good choice as well. Finally, shore up the engine cooling.

    HV battery lifetime costs becomes a relative walk in the park, especially since in most areas you can call a mobile service to replace it in an hour. Don't be forced to change your handle to BrianStrandedAgain.
     
    #30 rjparker, May 15, 2021
    Last edited: May 15, 2021
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  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Really? I have heard of many rebuilders that do that but not one would be accused here if having a reliable product.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    has OP even mentioned oil consumption?
     
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  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    2 Pages in you expect 6the thread to still be on-topic?? You must be new here. :whistle::whistle:o_O
     
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  14. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    HAHA!!!...
     
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  15. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Exactly on topic. Op said:
    I was making the point to be better than new change the piston and rings. The discussion about hv battery was off topic because he indicated it was relatively new.
     
  16. BrianStranded

    BrianStranded Member

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    Do you have suggestions and/or links to better pistons/rings that I can buy?
     
  17. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Toyota will sell you the latest (2015) pistons and rings.

     
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There’s a couple of tsb’s for the excess oil consumption; they end in 168 an 169. The latter lists the revised piston/ring part no’s, plus no’s for the gasket kit (includes head gasket) and replacement head bolts (maybe safest to replace them).
     
  19. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    2010 - 2014 Prius Oil Consumption tsbs with last vins that are impacted. The oil consumption test was needed to get a free Toyota repair if the vehicle was still under powertrain warranty.
     

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