New Head Gasket and battery...or start over, need advice.

IMO, it is not worth putting 6k into a 2013 Gen 3 Prius. Buy a newer Gen 4 Prius.

 

How’s the oil consumption?

 

Pretty much our story with the black cherry Persona sitting here except we only paid about $4,000 near the same time frame you're discussing here and then we only paid I have $2,500 in the used JDM engine in its install I also put in a low mileage transmission at the same time so that my 236,000 mi chassis would have a well maybe 85,000 mi engine and transmission I would say to you don't do it The car is not worthy didn't even look to see where you are but if you're in any place that doesn't have perfect weather then probably not a thing The car is not set up to be a thing this is planned obsolescence basically and you'll never see any classic 2010 automobiles I don't think maybe pictures of it's not a worthy vehicle We also own four generation two's very worthy vehicles and they will go 600,000 pretty easily too You will be tired of the car before it's tired of you that's a fact for most Americans anyway so these are things to consider Don't put a lot of money into anything with the 2ZFXE that would be a good move on most people who reading this now if it's something you can do yourself and you just want to do it and so on have at it Just don't expect a whole lot You should see the black cherry Persona now that it's been sitting for about I don't know 3 months when does rolled up right here in the yard It stinks inside you can smell moisture getting in it the door panels are caved in and the two front doors where you put your arms those panels of nonsense etc even if I was to get it back running right It's just not a thing. My generation 2 green car with perforated leather interior sits next to it It's not even a fair comparison at all The planned obsolescence vehicle looks terrible The generation 2 even unwashed driven daily looks twice the car I guess it takes a certain person to see that and that's a good thing so there's plenty for me to get when I want them

 

I would use the opportunity to trade up to something newer. More & better safety features are the primary reason.

I usually suggest getting the youngest one you can afford, never mind what the odometer says.

 

If you only have $10 to spend than I'd say get it repaired for $6. You won't find another car in the condition yours will be for $10k. You really don't want to buy a Gen3 Prius with 100 k miles......you may not be as fortunate this time as you were with the one you have. I think your battery is probably good for a few more years, most are going well over 10 years.

 

tough call. i would look around and see what you can get for 10k, then make your decision. maybe a non hybrid so the engine/battery/brake actuator aren't part of the repair equation.

one thing to keep in mind, head gasket has to be done thoughtfully. there is more to consider than just slapping in a new one, and the egr should be cleaned at the same time.

 

Maybe add a new “short block” to the bill. The part alone is $2k~ USD, and would probably add $500~1000 to the labour. It’s basically everything between the upper oil pan and head gasket. With the head checked over by a machine shop it’s essentially a new engine. It will have the revised pistons and rings; the previous to revision rings and pistons is basically why you’re burning oil.

 

How many MILES? Every month or two doesn't mean much.
I put on average 700 miles a week. Others may only drive 200, other 1500.......

 

That's excellent advice - Especially IF the OP HAS $10k in cash to spend instead of spending somebody else's cash.
A pretty good book I read says that the borrower is slave to the lender....

Great buy on the Personna BTW.
Nearly 100,000 miles in four years for 8K is MUCH better than paying 4x that much for a new car and depreciating it by 75%.

SO.....
If we're talking about borrowing 10K to get another used car versus a HG job for $3700 - and maybe letting the car continue to give you the opportunity to save money and cash flow 2 or 3 more repairs the math gets even easier.
ESPECIALLY for a car that you already know and already appear to like.
The $3700 quote for the HG work is a little high - meaning VERY high - but you're also going to have to address the EGR loop which is what caused the HG to let go in the first place.

I would lean towards replacing the mechanic instead of the car.
Especially in today's economy....

MY mileage.
YOURS may vary.
Good Luck!

 

Yeah miles per month would be good to know. If it’s steady, using almost 100k miles in 4 years, say 24k yearly, that’d be 2k per month. With a quart consumption most months, a good chance it’s run low occasionally. Plus it’s not going to get better.

 

The problem is your engine needs more than a head gasket. It needs new pistons and rings for the excessive oil burning, a complete teardown and clean, a rebuilt head (perhaps included in your quote) AND a head gasket. Even then it could fail in a month or less than a year.

A quality rebuild from a rebuilder like Hybrid Pit in the Los Angeles area would be the best choice, if repair is the only option, and probably could be done for about the same money as your hg quote if you drove it there. Otherwise they would ship it to your shop, a local independent hopefully, raising the costs at least $1500.

Tom is right in the big picture although I believe the root cause is poor engineering by Toyota (yes you heard me right) that they acknowledged with free rebuilds early on but not 11 years later. Unfortunately the failures and oil burning are usually way after the regular warranties expired.

Listed in priority order:

1. Your financial situation is a key factor. If you can afford a new car get a hybrid Corolla, Camry or RAV4. One of those would be worth the payments and you get a better hybrid system (gen3 issues all redesigned properly) and they are safer to drive, which is a factor worth paying for.

2. If that is not feasible, buy a 2019 or newer RAV4 hybrid. Still pricey but maybe $15k less. Low miles is important in a used car. Absolutely don’t get another gen3 Prius, 2010-2015 or a gen3 Prius wagon, 2012-2017.

3. The third choice is the rebuilt engine above. The only “good” way to keep a gen3 with the current hg and oil burning issues. You are still risking other gen3 problems like a $2500 brake booster and you will be spending similar money for a reliable new oem hybrid battery within a year or two assuming yours is not throwing codes now.

4. The fourth choice is a JDM replacement used in Japan engine. Often $1200-1500 plus install, the only used engine to consider. These engines are reported to be 50k-60k miles and may not have low tension oil rings as most don’t yet burn oil. Going this route could easily cost less than your hg quote and is much more likely to give you more years of engine reliability. You are still risking other gen3 problems.

Finally locating a good hybrid independent is important if you are going to keep the car. Almost no one here would pay a dealer for these repairs. Most are heavy diy types and at least two above are mechanics all of whom get free labor.