What is a reasonable price for a Gen2 Prius backyard engine swap?

Remember, you get what you pay for.

Back in the day, I did quite a few engine swaps.

My observation about other mechanics follows:
1. most mechanics hate electrical problems and wiring issues;
2. many mechanics hate marking/documenting various engine connections; and
3. many mechanics think they do not have to follow recommendations on R&R procedures.*

IOW, do not hire a mechanic for a Prius unless he/she is super detailed and willing to go through all the steps. If I were you, I would find a mechanic with Prius experience (even if I had o tow the Prii to their location).

Some sample questions for the possible engine change mechanics:
a. how does the engine come out, top or bottom (question asked to gauge mechanics experience and common sense)?
b. do you need to disconnect the HV battery (question asked to gauge mechanics experience and common sense)?
c. how many engine swaps have you done?
d. do you think that we are going to need to bleed the coolant system after the swap (question asked to gauge mechanics experience and common sense)?
If yes, is that included in the swap?
e. how long do you think the swap will take to complete?

Let us know how you make out.

ETA: I would expect to pay at least $1000 for a competent mechanic for such a project.

 

i had no idea professional mechs would work on cars in peoples backyards

 

I have a dealership mechanic who will come to the house if I need him. Nice guy, mid 30s, 5 kids, at home wife, minivan: IOW, a motivated earner.

 

wow, i wpould love someone like that. i do know there are some mobile mech companies like oil change, hybrid battery replacement or gasket masters. not sure how big a job they are willing to handle

 

Engine swap is fairly straighforward... But you'd be better off buying a low mileage replacement engine because they're relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of swapping another engine later. Here's a reference to get a sense of what hiring someone would cost in terms of hours:

 

Yeah right, last time I went to help you at your house you offered me a plate of cookies and before I could even grab a second cookie you smashed 'em all into crumbs and started laughing at me... No Prius mechanic deserves to be treated like that!

 

Prius engine $300 with approx 90K miles, Columbus car-part.com

Cantleys Auto Parts

May be cheaper labor wise to have the engine ready to drop in. $300 toward a 90K engine instead of $300 to mechanic to remove a 250K engine.

8.5 Hours is mentioned in the times guide for engine/transaxle replacement and we done quite a few and they take around that time. Allow 12 hours for the first time but certainly not 24.5.

What would be labor hours for Prius engine swap? | PriusChat

 

Does your spare car still have the original catalytic converters? If so, the last time I checked, they sell for about $900 as scrap. Don't let a junk yard take advantage of you on that.

 

Do you have a reason to believe your current engine is failing? My backup 2006 Prius has 342k miles and is still a beast.

 

Mobile mechanic in Columbus, looks to have good reviews on Facebook.

Mobile mechanic fair prices - automotive services

 

I purchased an oil burning 2006Gen2 with 200k miles when purchased. Essentially, I did four ("4") things that seem to have reversed the oil burning as follows:

1. Installed after-market catch can (AKA oil water separator) in PCV line between PCV and vacuum port adjacent to throttle body. Oil catch can prevents new buildup of sludge;

2. Switched to heavier weight oil with a lot of detergent in it. My pick was Shell Rotella 15W40 synthetic. This Shell Rotella oil is designed for diesel trucks (hence all the detergent added).

3. Changed oil and filter religiously every 5000 miles; and

4. "Short stick" the oil after each oil change. I would use 3.5 quarts instead of the 3.9 quart maximum. Short sticking helps to prevent oil mist forming due to windage. But means that you also need to be a bit fanatical about checking oil during this rehabilitation process. It took about 12k to15k before I saw measurable improvement in oil consumption.

Let us know if this helps.

See: 2006 Gen2: Oil Consumption Almost Completely Reduced | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

I bought my current 2007 about 4 years ago when it had 143k miles. It's at almost 220k now. I changed the oil when I bought it at 143k and then every 4500-5500 miles, starting at 145k. Although I check oil level frequently, I don't always top off unless needed.
The first few 5k mile oil changes, it was typically about 1 quart low and I used Mobil 1 5w-30.
Then I did some oil changes using NAPA full synthetic 5w-30, because I ran into a good sale.
Then I changed over to using Walmart SuperTech full synthetic 5w-30, because it's actually a decent oil and inexpensive.
Last handful of oil changes, I've had no noticeably significant oil loss.

I've done nothing but oil and filter changes (always a Toyota filter). None of the piston soak procedures or anything like that. Perhaps just quality oil changes and some consistent highway miles can make a difference.

 

Yep, as long as the bottom end isn't already dead- romp on the engine here and there. Some high RPM and load is good for (trying to) clear carbon out.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

My mechanic works at the largest salvage yards in the city in my town it'll take him 5 and 1/2 hours to swap out my Gen 3 Prius engine I'll be there during most of it just because I have free time and I've seen it done before and this guy I mess with I guess you could say is reasonably detailed oriented but what you guys are talking about here no sir I know the kind of guys you guys are talking about here they run businesses locally here in my town that work on Audis I think the guy's name is Tioga basically with shops like that your privilege to drive goes up so much in cost and payments I don't know man Not my cup of tea but then again y'all are living in nice houses in California and Ohio and paying the big mortgages and have the good jobs I guess I don't know I don't want to have to try and afford any of that My guy charges me $650 and I have the car back physically in 18 hours usually it's taken that 18 hours because it takes me time to go over there and pick it up not his problem He just leaves it out in the yard for me He doesn't start it or anything He just puts the motor in it connects everything makes it look like when I handed it to him I bring the Toyota computer and everything with me to the car and get it running because I don't want him to have to waste time fiddle farting around with dumb stuff He's got the motor transmission everything in the car connected every bolt and nut ready to go nothing forgot He's not a Prius person I don't want him pushing buttons flipping switches just for the heck of it I tell him just pull it out leave it over there in the corner I come in the morning. Remember the top dog Toyota lead mechanic from Fred Anderson put my head back on my two ZZ engine with a Fisher crack and piston number two's crown claiming he didn't notice or see it I can't even imagine that because I saw it in a picture and I asked him to go over and look at it try to blow air through it take a piece of plastic and glue it down a plastic funnel and glue it to the top of the crack of the piston that you're looking at it look like a fissure didn't go all the way through and for penetrating oil in the little funnel have the drain plug out listen for the air you blew while somebody's blowing poor oil in the funnel and see if any drips come out in an hour or two out of the oil pan bowl smell it is it what you're using up top I wouldn't know this guy told me I don't worry about it it doesn't look like anything I've seen this on other Toyota engines before blah blah blah and I should have told him no sir God dang it I'll be there in an hour put all that to rest got my car out of there giving him $200 for the tear down and been on my way I didn't allow my better judgment it's due process that day and it will never happen again

 

Wow!!!!!

 

Today's winner of the James Joyce prize! 242 words is a good effort, but still a long way from the world record, which is still held by JJ himself for a 3,687 word sentence in Molly Bloom's monologue in Ulysses.