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Bg repair kit made my car worse?

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jason Chen, Jun 14, 2023.

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  1. Jason Chen

    Jason Chen New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Bloomington, IN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I have a 2013 prius v with an engine (187k) that shakes at startup. About 2 weeks ago the check engine light came on and I took the car to the dealer. The codes showed cylinders 1 and 2 misfiring. They said they needed to rebuild the engine as my piston rings were stuck. Together with a new intake manifold, the cost was about $5700. They offered $500 to buy and $1000 to trade in. Needless to say, I went the diy route. Here’s what I did:

    1) replaced pcv valve
    2) removed and cleaned intake manifold and egr pipe.
    3) replaced spark plugs
    4) used the BG products hybrid repair kit.

    My question is about the Bg kit. After putting in EPR, I drove the car for about half an hour. Then changed the oil (put in Mobile 1 high mileage 0w-20) and filter, then put in the additive.

    The car was great, but a day later, it’s shaking even worse. Did I screw up the car by driving for so long with the EPR in the engine? The directions say to run the engine at 1200 rpm for at least 10 minutes. I figured I’d go above and beyond. I *really* wanted that EPR to loosen up those rings. I have also yet to put in the 44k fuel treatment. Am I in trouble now?
     
    #1 Jason Chen, Jun 14, 2023
    bisco likes this.
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Its not the rings causing the shaking (although they are likely bad as well), you have a very common head gasket failure. At minimum it needs a head gasket job and the head inspected and or rebuilt at a machine shop. Maybe $2000 at an independent if you shop. With bad rings it may recur in a year or two.

    Actually a complete engine rebuild is what you need. A dealer rebuild for $5700 is reasonable. Its possible to get one for less at an independent shp, perhaps in the $3500-4000 range installed. With a rebuild you could get another ten years.
     
    #2 rjparker, Jun 14, 2023
    Mendel Leisk and Tim Jones like this.
  3. Jason Chen

    Jason Chen New Member

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    Jun 14, 2023
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    Location:
    Bloomington, IN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Thank you. I didn’t see any evidence of coolant being burned, which would have been the case with a bad head gasket (right?) What about just buying a used engine and swapping it?
     
    #3 Jason Chen, Jun 15, 2023
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    No the Prius hg typically leaks small amounts of coolant overnight which fouls the plug for a few seconds on occasion. Then the hg seals. Not every day not every week at first. Later, sometimes months later, it gets bad enough to rattle during a drive after a minute of engine off time at a stop light. Soon after, the coolant will drop fast. Some go further, keep driving it and it overheats. Rebuilt is best if it is done professionally with Toyota's updated pistons and rings. Some ship a rebuilt in from Hybrid Pit in Los Angeles and have a local or diy install.

    A key symptom is it clears quickly at first and runs great for the rest of the drive, day or week. No spark plug, coil or injector causes that type of misfire.


    Shudder video - Run too Long



    Car Care Nut HG Borescope at 7:40


    He mentions egr as a possibility. Only if stuck open as an egr closes at low rpm. Not typical on a Prius that tends to clog egrs. But an egr that is stuck open will stay open and not quickly clear. In mid 2014 Toyota revised pistons and tings which helps reduce hg failures.
     
    #4 rjparker, Jun 15, 2023
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2023
  5. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    2011 Nissan LEAF
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    ----USA----
    Bad Head Gasket...... welcome to the Club....
     
    #5 Tim Jones, Jun 29, 2023
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