Head gasket blown. Pink/orange tapioca. Have a few questions as to cleanup before proceeding.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by weapon, Jun 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM.

  1. weapon

    weapon Junior Member

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    Backstory: After reading up on here, I have been getting things ready to do the egr clean/replacement maintenance for my two 2010 prius(s). I have collected a bunch of manifolds and coolers from the pick n pull yard and was in the process of cleaning them in my ultrasonic and in various other solution baths. My plan was to keep one extra each on the shelf for the future maintenance. They are all clean as factory new now.

    First car (My boy blue) has had the rougher life, came from the midwest and has 174K miles. Did the first attempt swap but I must have messed something up and it threw a ton of new codes. I think i had a gasket unseat or incorrect torque specs leading to a leak. Took me about a week of rewatching videos to get up the confidence after the first attempt and get it all back together correctly.

    During this exact time, I was driving my second (Big Red) and it has been running perfect coming close to 200k. I was using it as a reference for tube routing, correct bolts and such. That is when I noticed my fluid was orange. Pulled off the cap and it was tapioca (photos). Grabbed the turkey baster and transferred it to a cup. Thick, greasy, and disappointing. There was no overheating, no death rattle on start up, but did get a p0102 the previous day.

    I have watched hours of rebuild videos from all creators (especially the one recommended in the sticky) and think I am ready to start. But none of the videos had my exact situation.

    Here is the questions:

    How do I go about cleaning the goop out of everything?

    Where else will this tapioca be? Inside the radiator? The cylinders?

    Has anyone else run across this style of blowout before?
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 weapon, Jun 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2026 at 3:23 PM
  2. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Did you acqure 'Big Red" new or used? If used, is there a chance a stop-leak chemical was added to the coolant? Or an incompatible mix of coolant types?
     
    #2 CR94, Jun 22, 2026 at 10:02 PM
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  3. weapon

    weapon Junior Member

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    I have had it for over 10 years. Regularly maintained. Never used a stop leak. This is a brand new issue. Always used toyota super long life from the dealership.

    It is def oil mixed in with coolant.
     
    #3 weapon, Jun 22, 2026 at 10:57 PM
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    What were you swapping, engine?
    How long have you had it? Sounds like a stop-leak product. There’s a link in my signature, thoughts on that. (On a phone turn it landscape to see signatures)
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jun 23, 2026 at 9:32 AM
  5. weapon

    weapon Junior Member

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    was supposed to be a reply. Cleared due to error.
     
    #5 weapon, Jun 23, 2026 at 11:28 AM
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2026 at 12:24 PM
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  6. weapon

    weapon Junior Member

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    I was getting ready to swap egr cooler and clean the manifold in both. I have cleaned extras from the scrap yard.

    Have owned it for over 10 years. No stop leak has ever been in the car.
     
    #6 weapon, Jun 23, 2026 at 12:23 PM
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