2013 Prius Gen 3: Fuel injectors or EGR?

Update: I did the block test. The color changed very slightly from blue to dark green. That isn’t good. But I did read a comment on another forum where a gent had the same result and then had a compression and leak down test performed and the results proved normal.

Try to upload files of my results. Dark blue before test and the dark green after.

I took it for a couple of drives this morning without issues. Perhaps it’s an early HG issue that will get worse. What do you think? Should I get that compression and leak down test performed? I wished it just turned yellow or stayed blue. Life isn’t always black and white, I guess.

I just filled it with antifreeze and plan on driving it for a while to see if the level goes down. When I open the radiator overflow there’s no “sucking” sound, but more a release of compression as I would expect. We’ll see.

update: I drove the vehicle down the interstate and around town for over two hours and there was no drop in antifreeze level. I also talked to my daughter about whether she had added antifreeze lately or if the car had overheated. Apparently, she’s never done any maintenance to the vehicle since she bought it, except for oil changes and inspections. She just had both done a couple of weeks ago. It is hard for me to believe that she could have an oil change and they wouldn’t top-off the fluids. But eh, it’s a crazy world today. Fluids are all low. Additionally, the car passed inspection with some very very serious “may-pops” on it.

At this point I’m in the HG group, but for another $50, or so, I can replace the coils, clean the injectors, and clean the EGR, so I’m just gonna do it. If the HG goes I don’t have much in it anyway, and if she gets it replaced she won’t have to worry about the rest. Personally, I’m more worried about those “may-pops”. You can’t buy another life. She might get an early Christmas and Birthday present..

Thanks, you all. I follow up with what should be a finalizing post when I finish.

 

Thanks for your reply and clarification, Mendel. I’ll check out the price of the test tomorrow. Just going to fix everything next, save the HG, and see where I stand.

 

Folks, I’m almost there on figuring out this problem. I can see the name on the door, vaguely. It’s blurry, but something like HG DEPT. I believe I may venture into that forest. I’m retired and like new adventures. . I’d have had this figured out a week ago if it wasn’t for this 100+ degree heat index. It is what it is. So, I’ve had time to read what some very intelligent people out here have had to say about the Gen 3 engine. For example, the discussion/s on the OCC… now there is no way this car is going back together without one. I’ll save the old hose in case it goes in for inspection or shop work.

‘Further, I’m a huge believer in cleanliness. I want the earth and air to be clean. However, if you follow this EGR, starting from “the nut and bolt from hell” all the way back up the rabbit hole you end up somewhere on Jekyll island. You can see all the $’s. By the time it got to Toyota I guess they were ready for their share. I bet one of the fine engineers out here could design a better, cleaner, and more consumer friendly apparatus than the EGR I’m looking at.

Here’s a layman’s starting point. How about making it easy to clean or at least accessible for cleaning. I mean c’mon, man.

‘My 1994 Chevy truck, which I haven’t done much of anything to in the last 20 years, needs an ac compressor, and I could pull the engine and give it some TLC. I looked at it and thought, hell that’s nothing. Why? Cause I’ve pulled a Toyota Prius EGR valve/cooler and cleaned them.

Here’s another, probably stupid idea, from a non-mechanic… how about we put some kind of high-heat filter between the exhaust manifold and EGR cooler to catch a bunch of that crud. I’d change it every 3,000 miles, np. Just don’t make me do one-handed hand stands while turning the nut. Enough for now. Seriously, I am enjoying the process somewhat. I may even get into flipping these things since the RE market is headed south.

 

Whew!, It’s hot out. Finally cleaned EGR valve and cooler. They were a complete mess. In fact, the entire engine was a complete mess. I don’t know how it ran at all. Bottom line.. no knocking for two days. A slight hesitation at take-off from standstill position. The plugs, injectors, and complete EGR was a mess and I’m glad I took care of it. But let’s be clear, I still think there might be a slight hg leak. There is no milkshake oil, no yellow (dark green) block test, visual on cylinders shows a little wash. Could that Techron show a little wash?

So, I don’t know about hg, but it’s not hinting of a knock, and like that. My advice to daughter. Trade it now or be prepared for $2k bill on head.

 

. It can be a great car, but living in a condo with no garage, and only a parking lot, I won’t be making it one. Having to take heat breaks every hour on the hour to escape heat exhaustion is not a good thing when learning to do a head gasket. That’s hard enough in perfect conditions. She will have a perfect car after she gets that done. Probably good for another 100k miles are more. There is nothing more a mechanic needs to do, save a water pump. Wish I had a garage. I’d give it a run. Looks pretty straightforward.

Want to thank all you for so kindly passing along all the great information. I learned a ton from you. I also learned that the best place for that “bolt and nut from hell” is the nearest trash can.

Although I’m not a Prius owner I’ll lurk out here and If there is ever an update on my daughters car I’ll make a note out here.

Next!! Off to buy parts for the old Porsche. The Chevy truck has air again… low pressure gauge went. Do vehicles breakdown when you retire because they know? I mean, c’mon man. Have a great summer.

 

Btw… of all the products I used on the EGR cooler, brake cleaner, carb cleaner, oven cleaner, and acetone, I found acetone to be the most effective.