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How badly screwed am I?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by blairsie, Oct 26, 2021.

  1. blairsie

    blairsie Junior Member

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    I’m replacing my head gasket in my 2010. When I was putting the rocker arms back in, I noticed that of of the valve lifters was gone- vanished. I’m working in my driveway and have spent that last hour looking for it, no dice. If I order new ones, will it be an issue. Can I get just one or do I need to replace all? A second, more ominous question. Since I can’t find it, should I pull the head back off the block in case it somehow fell into the cylinder? Do I then need to replace the head bolts again as well. They’ve all been torqued down to spec.
    Feeling incredibly deflated right now. Been preparing for this job for a while now, had it well in hand till this.
     
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It would be difficult to drop it in the cylinder and you not notice installing the head gasket and head.
    But, you can try a bore scope and look through the spark plug holes....
    A lifter is a pretty big piece to lose, but replacing it with one new one shouldn't be a problem.
    You should not have to remove the head, again.
    And I'm certain you will find it, after you've put eveything back together!
    It's happened to all of us! (y)

     
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  3. Nor'easter

    Nor'easter Member

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    Good excuse to buy a cheap wifi endoscope that works with your phone. Handy.

    Or fish in each spark plug hole with a small magnetic pick up tool.

    Whatever it is you lost (lifter seems unlikely to me, maybe a keeper?) you can buy individually.

    See here
     
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  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The good news is that the Gen 3 'lifters' (if you are referring to the hydraulic last adjusters that sit underneath the rocker arm at the opposite end from the valve) are self-adjusting and identical, so there is only one part number and you buy it and put it there and it works.

    If you were working on a Gen 1 or Gen 2 (or c) where the intake and exhaust lifters are different and come in 35 sizes each, you would be having a worse day.
     
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  5. blairsie

    blairsie Junior Member

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    It was definitely the lifter. I don’t think there are any keepers in there. Otherwise it wouldn’t have fallen out so easily. All I did was tip the head on end to clean and prep the gasket surface.
     
    #5 blairsie, Oct 26, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 26, 2021
  6. blairsie

    blairsie Junior Member

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    Found it! After I pulled the head of course
     
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  7. blairsie

    blairsie Junior Member

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    Do I have to buy new bolts now?
     
  8. blairsie

    blairsie Junior Member

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    I found it in a plastic bag that had been a foot or so away from where I had set the head after it’s initial removal. Subsequently, I took the bag into the house. When I re-pulled the head, and was unable to find the thing, I cleaned my work area. Brought all the pieces that are moisture sensitive inside, cleaned and reorganized my tools, and secured the car. I have to work this afternoon. Pulled all the assorted crap that I’d bought for this project and there it was. Mocking me. And my stupidity. Since I won’t be able to work on it again until Sunday, I erred on the side of caution and ordered a new set of head bolts.
    Last, semi-related note: I have a crappy torque wrench that I got from HB several vehicles ago. I’m not sure I trust it. Given the nature of the project, how necessary is it to replace it? Please keep in mind that I bought the Prius to save money and I’m attempting a repair that may very well be beyond my skills to save money. I appreciate any guidance
     
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  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Glad you found it
     
    #9 rjparker, Oct 26, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2021
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  10. Nor'easter

    Nor'easter Member

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    That quote is true, but there are endoscopes that aren't medical devices, and I own one. (It works well, but the TOS for the app is a little strange and concerning to some).

    The difference between a borescope and an endoscope is that an endoscope looks out the end of the device, and a borescope looks at 90 degrees (so it can inspect the inside of a bore).
     
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Every, hmm, cheap skinny inspection camera that I've owned has looked out the end, but has also come with an angled-mirror attachment to clip on the end and supposedly get a side view.

    In the interest of full disclosure, I think I have never ever achieved a usable side view of anything using any of those little mirrors.
     
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    ***Glad you found it even if you had to pull the head first*** (Response from the Op was delayed by mod)

    The point is a reasonably priced (~$40) borescope/endoscope and your phone does wonders and the Op does not need to be scared off by expensive devices that might otherwise be found.

    For example this Tulsa weatherman uses a wireless "camera scope" on his project bmw in the first couple of minutes. He gets a good look at the piston and walls with decent focus lacking in the sub $20 versions.



    His "camera" seems to be the same Depstech Wireless I have had for the last for years.

     
    #12 rjparker, Oct 26, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2021
  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I'm glad you found it, sorry you pulled the head though.
    Did you order a new head gasket also? They are really a one time use item.
    Since you ordered new head bolts, it would be wise to order a new head gasket.
    You certainly don't want it to fail after all your work!

     
  14. blairsie

    blairsie Junior Member

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    Yes, I did. Thanks for the replies
     
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  15. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I have a habit of threading bolts a couple turns back in to wherever they came out of as a way of keeping track of them.

    I recently swapped some EGR components with pre-cleaned ones I had bought from another member. Putting it all back together, I spent probably an hour searching in vain for one last bolt to hold a silly wire harness standoff to the valve.

    Of course I later found it, safely threaded into the hole it came out of, in the other valve.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've gotten into the habit of setting nuts, bolts and various small removed pieces on an adjacent window ledge, going from left-to-right, as I take them off the car, and below each item or group I put a masking tape label. If it was something as involved as a head gasket I'd "need a bigger ledge" though....

    upload_2021-10-27_7-48-24.png
     
  17. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    +1

    moto g power ?