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Flashing engine light and then solid

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Gnarly, Nov 9, 2021.

  1. Gnarly

    Gnarly Member

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    I did not get the code from the mechanic but they said to stay away from cheap gas stations. They had to clean the EGR valve from carbon deposits. It cost be $1,900.

    They asked me to keep an eye out the temp gauge and see if it overheats. I dont have thermostat gauge. How can you tell on a prius.

    Amd what is this resevoir? Cos whatever it is, its low low low. 20211109_121729.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How many miles?

    That's the engine coolant reservoir, takes Toyota Super Long Life coolant. Get a gallon from dealership and top it up. There's a good chance you'll be needing the rest before this is done.

    And don't you just love it: any old econobox car used to have a coolant temp gauge. :rolleyes: You can monitor with ScanGuage II, or a phone app with bluetooth OBD dongle.

    I'm guessing this is going to be head gasket failure. Maybe failing water pump too.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Nov 9, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2021
  3. burebista

    burebista Active Member

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    :eek:
    And EGR cooler? Pipe? Intake manifold small passages?
     
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  4. Gnarly

    Gnarly Member

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    It has 195k. They did have to open the head and replace the gasket and clean out the deposits from dirty fuel. Not gonna go to cheap gas stations anymore just to save $5.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. Pdaddy

    Pdaddy Member

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    Make sure it not leaking coolant from the egr repair. Sucks if you just paid so much money if the engine is blown....in which case there was a misdiagnosis by the mechanic. He probably installed a new egr cooler and maybe valve rather than cleaning the original part?

    SM-G960U ?
     
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Edit: Sounds like you had a head gasket replaced and carbon cleanout as well. Not too bad for $1900. Fuel is not the issue. Its too long between oil changes (do 5k mile changes) and a poor engine design - fixed partially by 2015 and reengineered properly in the 2016 gen4s.

    The coolant reservoir should not "use" any fluid but the mechanic may have failed to fill it up after spilling some during the egr work. I assume this was not a dealer.

    Fill the coolant and carefully watch the level. You will get a temperature warning light if it is close to overheating. Stop within minutes when safe and have it looked at very soon. Any further coolant loss without a visible leak usually means head gasket leakage into a cylinder, often resulting in an occasional severe startup rattle.
     
    #6 rjparker, Nov 9, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2021
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    This is first mention of intake manifold, and yeah it is important: has the last leg of the EGR passages on way to intakes. This should be cleaned as well. Best to replace all it's gaskets while in there. Also, throttle body can be removed and placed out of the way WITHOUT disconnection of it's coolant lines. And cleaning is trivial, no need to replace.

    More info in my signature.

    I'm a little sceptical they've changed head gasket. Maybe. What does the paperwork say??
     
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Kind of hard to clean the intake manifold while it's connected to the coolant lines....
     
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Op said he had the egr repaired for $1900 in the first post and also a head gasket job in his followup post. By whom is a question. What they did in detail is also in question but its safe to say he's running again. Even with a low coolant reservoir.
     
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  10. Gnarly

    Gnarly Member

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    All I know and I have to mention this to the shop. It was not leaking coolant before I brought it in. 20211109_163847.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  11. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    So those plugs coils and egr gaskets add up to about $530. How did they get the bill up to $1900?
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The throttle body is connected to coolant lines, not the intake manifold. You unbolt and lift off the throttle body (with coolant lines attached), tie off to something, say inverter, and there’s the intake manifold, no coolant lines attached.

    c’mon you knew this. :p
     
  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Yes, brain fart for a late night, that I thought about after going to bed.... (n)

     
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