Misfires on 1 and 3, now 2 and 4

2005 Prius 195k miles, oil changes every 5k +/- 500 (usually minus), new plugs at about 187k, TSBs for coolant loop done, coolant valve for ICE replaced on my dime, replaced aux battery in 2010. Transaxle fluid changed at 100k and 190k due to noise, but that is another post.

I mostly do my own work because, in general, I find dealerships to charge too much (like one hour to change the aux battery) or not competent (like changing the traction battery under warranty but leaving the seat belt behind the panel or not resetting the maintenance light during 5k Toyota covered maintenance)

The CEL light kept coming on with code P0301 according to my Garmin HD (don't buy one...not useful..maybe worse). Reset by disconnecting and reconnecting 12 V. Problem goes away and then comes back. Changed the plugs at 187k. Second set, BTW. Cleared code. I returns.

Buy Scantool. P0300, P0301, P0303.

Buy two new ign coils from Napa for $65 each. Install. Clear code. Code reappears.

Buy two new injectors. Pull full pump relay. Start car, run ICE until stall. try again, stall. OK no fuel pressure. Pull fuel rail with injectors attached. Pull injector, gas spills into cyl 1. Repeat for 2-4. Replaced bottom seals and o-ring on all injectors. Put new injectors (~$70 ea) in 1 and 3, clean 2 and 4. Remove and clean MAF. Clean throttle body with TB cleaner and toothbrush. Look down TB and mop up mess at bottom with Tshirt on screwdriver. Replace PCV (with a two foot piece of pipe slipped over a ratchet with a deep socket.. thread locker UGH)

Put it all back together. Start. Holy crap!!! I have never heard a car make that kind of racket. Hmm, not true...heard broken rod once. Stop engine. Well, probably misfires due to spilled gas in cylinders plus some TB cleaner. Re-start. Settles down, throws code. P0302 and P0304.

Pulled the plugs tonight. Clean...a little carbon on the bottom of the threaded area. Contacts and ceramic nice tan color ( ias expecting oil).

The clear coat is shot on sun facing surfaces, there is a low growl in the transaxle that disappears in N (and P and I am into THIS PROBLEM for about $300. The car is clearly a use-til-gone. So before I go for two more injectors for $150 or a new battery for $175-200,

Suggestions? And, anyone know a good Prius mechanic in San Diego?

TIA Norm

 

Coils are Denso. NGK plugs. It was one and three, now two and four. Moved the coils to two and four.

 

TB cleaner. I sprayed TB cleaner into the fuel rail end with that end down. I had not pondered that TB cleaner might damage the injectors.

 

Ah, one thing that might not be clear from my posting... Bad history playback... I changed the two coils - one and three - first. Problem moved to two and four. At that point, I did change two things at the same time - coils from one and three to two and four plus new injectors on two and four.

Still idles rough, not too noisy. The occasional noise heard in some of the videos that went away with new plugs. No codes again, but given how it idles I expect them tomorrow AM.

 

I had not thought of that.


I wonder if a local wrecking yard is safer than Ebay? At least then I can check the p/n on the part in hand.


Ebay is …so dicey. I am not even sure how I would ensure that what they say it is is what I would receive. I certainly do not need injectors for a Buick that were not pictured.


Today it ran fine for 20 minutes. Was in the dentist’s office for about an hour, started it, rough idle, CEL flashing then solid, Cylinder 2 misfires, shutdown, clear codes, re-start, ran for 20 minutes no CEL. Off for seven hours. Start, rough idle, no CEL, got home.




Norm

I just bought two reman injectors and ignition coils from RockAuto. I hope to install them next week.

 

OK so it took three weeks. Two Oem injectors, two Denso coils, two reman injectors, two reman coils later and it runs great. Feels and sounds better than it has in a long time. Still have the noise from the transaxle although it seems quieter.

I did run into one problem. The #4 injector connector has a little silicone rubber seal. It is loose and it slid into the back of the connector. When that happens you cannot fully seat the injector connector. I fished it out with a paper clip bent into a tiny hook. See the photos of the seal, the connector missing the seal and #3 w the seal. Where can I get a replacement seal?

In the mean time, prior to the repair work being completed, we bought a Three Touring. So the repaired Gen 2 goes to my daughter until the transaxle dies.