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2013 Prius V leaking HG report

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Alvingogi, Aug 15, 2022.

  1. Alvingogi

    Alvingogi Junior Member

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    Hello,
    I'm the original owner of a 2013 Prius V. Purchased new from Sunnyvale Toyota. Recently diagnosed with a blown head gasket so I wanted to share my experience before closing this chapter.

    Details:
    -this was our commuter car since 2013, driving 100miles/day and roughly 25k miles/year.
    -this car has been absolutely flawless for 204,000 miles. I mean zero issues. Nothing failed. Nothing repaired. It just performed wonderfully.
    -Scheduled maintenance was performed at Toyota dealership until about 130k. From there I simply performed oil changes and checked fluids. No accidents, no paint work, detailed twice a year, etc.

    -Last week my wife experienced the engine shuddering at low speeds so I took it to the dealership at 204,500 miles and their diagnosis was as follows:
    Error codes: P0300, P0301, P0302. Misfires on startup most likely from coolant leaking into cylinder. Low coolant level. White smoke (also confirmed by me after leaving the shop) coming from tail pipe. Recommendation to replace with a rebuilt engine at $5,280 (labor only).

    Upon some internet research I found that this HG failure could possibly be caused by a blocked EGR. I basically paid no mind to the scheduled maintenance (aside from oil changes) after 130k miles so maybe this was the issue.

    The dealership technician offered me $2500 for the car as is. I might put it on Craigslist or donate it, but we are definitely not spending money to have it fixed. We are bummed though I'm sure it would have run another 50-100k if I'd done the EGR or whatever was recommended at 150k onward.

    Curious if anyone else has run into this issue at 200K or sooner.

    ps here is a photo of our Prius...we had great times with it:
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Alvingogi, Aug 15, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2022
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  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Many people every week are experiencing head gasket failure on gen3s, often before 200k. Bad design by Toyota. Some on Priuschat think a clogged egr could be responsible but you would have gotten a code for that. Piston rings were flawed, updated in mid 2014. The general consensus is 5k oil changes from the beginning could help which would be the thing to do if it was rebuilt.

    Independent shops including Hybrid Pit in the LA area will install a rebuilt engine for much less. The car is probably worth $10k with a rebuilt engine.
     
  3. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Our 2012 Prius v wagon with around 175K has a HG issue as well ( the one pictured on the left ).

    Not impressed with Toyota 'quality' lately...We had a 2010 Gen 3 that was burning oil...and now the 2012 v has a head gasket issue...lol.

    On a good note, the 2010 Gen 3 was totaled in an accident a while back ( no injuries and not our fault )...so we replaced it with a 2012 Prius C at no cost. The Prius C is going strong so far! (y)

    When we replace the Prius v it will be with a Prius C, possibly a Gen4 Prius, or possibly a Honda Insight. I'm done with the Gen3 Prius/Prius v and anything else that uses that engine.
     
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  4. Krall

    Krall Member

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    For me personally it's hard to complain about quality when I've owned no Chevy that made it past 150k and now own a Prius with 290k and a head gasket in need of replacement :). Toyota completely spoiled me and the way I think about car ownership.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i suppose you can't complain at 200k. many don't make it past 100k.

    our ford windstar blew the hg at 80k.

    i agree the car is worth repairing, for somebody
     
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  6. h-dogg

    h-dogg Junior Member

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    Oh bummer...Not bad that your v lasted to 200k before the HG failed. We just picked up my wife's 2012 Prius v (142k miles) today at Toyota Sunnyvale after repairing it for a brake booster and pump assembly failure ($3k)..Hoping it lasts a few years and dumping this before a HG failure.
     
  7. rampante550

    rampante550 Member

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    @Alvingogi I recently went through this with my 2012 with 211k miles. Unfortunately, the Toyota Maintenance youtube channel documented all the steps in a way that makes the most sense to me after I stumbled through it for two months.

    Long-story, short, your estimate is in line with what I received for an engine swap/new engine build, about $9k, which is way up since last year. I spent about $6,500 all-in, by salvaging the shortblock, doing the gasket, new egr, new intake, and threw in new timing chain, water pump, and more while they had it all torn apart.

    I think if you just have the gasket replaced, you can find something around $3k, but hindsight 20/20, I would get the gasket replaced, have the heads tested and machined, and do new parts for the egr valve, egr pipe, and intake manifold while in there. That should keep you under $5k all-in I believe (labor doesn't increase if you're adding extra new parts).

    Big factor in me doing the work was alternatives right now. Getting another V could've put me back in the same boat, getting a RAV4 hybrid or something newer was way more expensive overall. There's value in knowing where you're cars been and what's more expensive $700/month car payment for a few years or $400/month average for a year?

    If you're cash-strapped, then it's irrelevant and you'll probably just want to cut your losses and get something new. If you can float the maintenance for now, you'll come out ahead in the end. Let us know what you do - good luck!



    Toyota Maintenance - YouTube
     
  8. Alvingogi

    Alvingogi Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info, we did not know about this when buying:) No code came up for the EGR, but maybe it would have come up sooner if I'd checked? I did 5k oil changes since brand new.

    Definitely not mad at this car, but my 1991 Honda Civic went 275k with no internal problems. Replaced a starter and did timing belt. 290k is awesome!

    Oh nice to see a local! In my internet research I saw something about the brake booster failure. Between that potentially failing and battery replacement I personally can't justify dumping $ into it.

    It served us well. Basically put 20 years of driving into it in just under 10 years. What's wild is that used Prius V around here are going for $20k...so the plan is to just buy a new Prius, or Chevy Bolt. My wife doesn't like the interior noise of the V anyways :)
     
    #8 Alvingogi, Aug 17, 2022
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 17, 2022
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    With those miles, cleaning the full EGR path you may dodge the bullet. Do not wait for codes. DIY is the way to go; probably should change the intake manifold gaskets, but everything else you can just clean. See first link in my signature.

    addendum: it was pointed out to me head gasket is already blown. Anyway, if you do repair, follow up with EGR cleaning would be prudent.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Aug 17, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2022
  10. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    I agree...................................
     
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  11. Alvingogi

    Alvingogi Junior Member

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    Hi All,
    I'm still trying decide what to do with the PriusV. We bought a Chevy Bolt so my wife can resume her commute. So what do I do with the V?

    -Take the dealership mechanic's offer of $2500 as is
    -Sell on Craigslist?
    -Donate it

    I'm going to give her a final detail top to bottom before it goes away. In a perfect world it would go to someone who could give it another life, maybe as a taxi? I'd prefer that over a a dealership that would most likely fix it for cheap and flip it.

    Open to all suggestions, thanks!
     
  12. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    I had a Chevy ASTRO with 350,00 on it.... sold it for $1500. All original.
     
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  13. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I would have it fixed by an independent using another engine and then flip it. Make $5k-$10k rather than $2.5k. You have Gasketmasters in your area. Selling it with an engine warranty would be a no brainer.
     
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  14. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Another Datsun roadster owner! Who knew?
     
  15. h-dogg

    h-dogg Junior Member

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    If you have no intentions of putting anymore money into it..maybe sell it on craigslist or facebook marketplace as a mechanic special for $3k or $4k? If there are no interests, then get an engine replacement and sell it for more..
     
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  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    We replace several head gaskets each week. Some are inventory cars bought at auction, some are trade-ins, and some are customer cars. So there should be money to be made in replacing the HG before selling it even after the repair shop's profit on the work.
     
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  17. Alvingogi

    Alvingogi Junior Member

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    Thank you for the input! Was not aware of Gasket Masters and checked out there website.
    I'm not one to shy away from making money, but I'm skeptical about the repair costs. Also not keen on the time it takes to deal with it. Let's say Manteca is my only hope at getting the HG fixed...I need to ship it there (80 miles). Then it's anybody's guess what else could be wrong in addition to HG, water pump? Brake booster? No idea. But this forum has definitely put the scare into me about the V's issues. :)

    Your suggestions give me something to research further. I just finished detailing her this evening, enjoy!
    [​IMG]
     
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  18. ToyXW

    ToyXW Active Member

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    I think you'd be better off financially fixing it and selling, but if you just want to be done with it I'd take it off your hands for $3,500.
     
  19. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Make an appointment and drive it there or ask them to mobile service for a few bucks more. I suggested an engine replacement for the best long term result. Also the worse case cost. Still high value. All the other issues are future. If your goal is to keep it then yes, some of them are in your future.
     
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  20. ToyXW

    ToyXW Active Member

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    Wow, very clean! (very nice fairlady too!) Your post wasn't showing up earlier but that V is worth way more than $3,500 as is which makes the dealership's $2,500 downright crazy.

    How long did your wife drive with the blown head gasket? If it never overheated and you're not burning oil, I'd gamble on a head gasket replacement plus EGR cleaning & plugs. I'd estimate you have a ~80% chance of success.

    The risk is that if you do find out you're in the ~20% that needs an engine replacement, you'll have wasted a day or two and perhaps $1,000 in labor that doesn't overlap much with an engine swap.

    My plan B would be to buy a new shortblock from toyota ($1,800) and rebuild your head (or exchange it for a rebuilt unit) for ~$500-750. The main problem I have with this route is mission creep. Do you buy a new engine water pump ($200)? Timing chains & tensioner ($300)? Inverter water pump($200)? All new hoses ($200)? New coils ($250)? New injectors? New O2 sensors? New radiator? New motor mounts? New CV axles? New suspension bushings? Before you know it, you've spent thousands and thousands more than you initially expected and 90% of your old items would have probably lasted another 100-200,000 miles.

    I would not install a used engine - it is unlikely you'll get one that has been cared for as well as your current engine.

    Anyway, your V will probably have some expensive repairs over the next 5 years & 200,000 miles. Brake booster/accumulator: $2,000 Battery: $2,500 Possibly an inverter ($500 used). Add that to your current engine problems and it is understandable if you want to get out.

    On the other hand, let's say you do spend $10,000 on all those repairs - are you going to make fewer than $10,000 in payments over the next 5 years with your next car? Probably not. So if you can tolerate some downtime for repairs, holding on to your car is likely the most economical route (and is what I'd choose).
     
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