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2013 Rough Idling and Grinding Sound

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Techqua, May 6, 2022.

  1. Techqua

    Techqua Junior Member

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    Hi everyone

    I have read so many of your posts and I appreciate PriusChat so much! I have 196K miles on my 2013 Prius. I want a new car, but with this post-covid car world, nothing I want will be in stock until the fall at the absolute earliest so I want to save this car. In a week period, it started rough idling. The rough idling got progressively worse and became pretty loud like two pots banging together. Once I would accelerate, it would go away. Your posts told me it was likely the EGR system. The CEL came on and took it to a Toyota dealership. It did have the P0401 code for EGR. The recommended solution was to replace the intake manifold, spark plugs, and EGR gasket. I did that. It ran perfectly for 6 days and it is back to what it was doing before. It runs smooth at higher speeds, but at startup and if I press the gas to accelerate quickly from the start, it sounds just awful. The CEL light came on again yesterday. I called another well-rated local shop about replacing the EGR valve, tube, and gasket and they want to look at it first. I appreciate they don't want to do unnecessary repairs. Any advice you have for me? If I can keep this car for another 10K, I will be happy.
     
    #1 Techqua, May 6, 2022
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    You have a bad head gasket. Guaranteed. Increasingly common on 2010-14 Prius. A spark plug fouls out causing the engine to lose sync with the electric transaxle. A spring loaded damper in between makes the noise.

    It is sad and disappointing that our members suggest egr cleaning as a solution. Always wrong once the head gasket has begun failing. Sort of an issue around here and points out the problem with going to a dealer and telling them what to fix. Meanwhile most of the egr cleaning guys have never had your issue or heard one in person. The truth is a qualified independent hybrid mechanic might have charged only a few hundred more to do the head gasket over what you paid for the intake manifold, spark plugs and partial egr work. Don't feel too bad. Plenty of new members are fooled.

    Most likely the second shop has more sense.
     
    #2 rjparker, May 6, 2022
    Last edited: May 6, 2022
    Foxglove and JohnPrius3005 like this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Doubly sad when it’s a dealership proposed course of action: EGR clogs, engine overheats, head gasket fails, and dealership THEN says clean EGR…

    anyway: leak down test and boroscope inspection would be good to check head gasket condition.

    how’s engine coolant level in the reservoir, stable, or?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, May 6, 2022
  4. Techqua

    Techqua Junior Member

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    Hi. Well, when I had the other work done, I had the coolants flushed because I knew it hadn't been done, so it's full. It did look a little low beforehand. I've checked it the past two days and it still looks the same. So if it was a faulty head gasket, wouldn't the coolant be quite low? Today had multiple moments of rough rides, but then there were times where it was butter smooth. It seems like things would be consistently bad. I test drove a new car today and the dealership will give me $5200 for the Prius with knowing the CEL is on. Tempting.
     
    #4 Techqua, May 6, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Initially the bad head gasket seems to seal itself after startup. No subsequent coolant loss and smooth operation. After a complete cooldown with the valves and pistons just right, you may get the plug fouling, misfires, loss of sync and rattling. Then it clears up again within a minute. In some cases it takes months before you have warm engine shakes such as when when starting from a stop light.

    The car does not present like a normal head gasket failure for quite some time. No measurable combustion gasses in the radiator; no obvious coolant in the oil. You will get more slush in the intake manifold via the pcv. Eventually it will blow white smoke and lose coolant quickly. Assuming you don't bend a rod or warp the block first. Final stage of denial has led to holes in the block when the rod breaks.
     
    #5 rjparker, May 6, 2022
  6. Techqua

    Techqua Junior Member

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    Would you have the head gasket repaired or cut your losses and trade it in?
     
    #6 Techqua, May 6, 2022
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If the new car was desirable and a decent price I would trade. The dealer will fix the car for $2k and sell it for $10k. Around here the dealers have virtually no new cars.
     
    #7 rjparker, May 6, 2022
  8. Techqua

    Techqua Junior Member

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    Well thank you both for your advice. I decided to trade it in. They gave me $4500 for it and said their goal is to repair it and resell instead of wholesaling it. I've driven a Prius since 2009 and going to a Highlander Limited. Getting some luxury features this time around. I'm going to cry when I leave here. I have loved driving a Prius for the past 13 years. This will be a transition.
     
    #8 Techqua, May 7, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The Highlander is the best car they sell.
     
    #9 rjparker, May 7, 2022
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