Two Holes in Engine Block

I'd like to see another picture too. That looks like the upper oil pan to me, though it is fair to call it the lower crankcase -- and no matter what you call it, people have reported punctures to the upper oil pan. It is aluminum, #29 in the diagram below.

I can't see Toyota or NHTSA doing anything for you. I can count the number of PriusChat engine failure threads on one hand. Compare that to other parts, not recalled, that fail with far more regularity: engine water pump, combination meter, multifunction display. These engines just tend to keep going as long as they have oil. They are dirt cheap at junkyards (20+ available in the Dallas area for less than $600), which implies that no one ever buys them to replace ones that blow. Compare that to a Subaru for example, which blow head gaskets right and left. I know it sucks, but it is what it is.

 

^ I totally agree with this. Outside of this one thread, the number of people reporting engine failures here is extremely low. And even of those few case, the owner often admits to never checking the dipstick and starving it of oil at least once (though I'm not implying that this is necessarily the case for engines in this thread).

BTW. Does anyone know what the exact failure mode is with the piston rods mentioned in this thread. Are the rods actually breaking or is the (big end) bearing coming apart?

 

The edges of the hole in post #17 make it fairly obvious that the piece was broken off from the inside. As someone that often repairs breaks, the first thing I have to determine is which side to attach the broken piece from. If you had the missing section, it would be impossible to get it into place working from the inside. All of the edges increase in diameter as you move from inside to outside. It's the old "glass is on the wrong side of the window to be a break-in; it was knocked out from inside" plot from crime dramas.

 

I dont think just repairing the block is going to solve this problem... methinks some bearings and a set of con rods are in order at the very minimum. Might be cheaper and easier to drop in a used longblock.

 

Most likely a connecting rod broke at the big end, more often than not , due to bearing failure. Shrapnel or a swinging, partially broken rod causes the hole.

 

I have to see the picture to believe,OP.

 

I may have responded based upon the picture of another respondent rather than the problem being submitted by the OP. Sherlock Holmes would have never may such an elementary error.

 

That's only picture taken with cellphone camera. The hole is visible right underneath the vehicle in the oil casing of the block #29 in the attached picture.

 

Hi Everyone! I have good news regarding the hole punctured from inside the engine. Problem solved by the experts at Toyota of Plano. Toyota of Plano Service Department director Vince Dies and service associate JD Kimbrough deserves a HUGE shout out because of professional manner and always believing in the customer. I had my vehicle at another dealership and Mr. Shannon Grape (Toyota of Lewisville) had the audacity to tell me that I drove my vehicle without oil. Both JD and Vince listen to my description and took the time to investigate the issue. They made my day when I had struggled with the other dealership for many months. Coming from someone who works on vehicles, I trust the work this dealership and they have gone above and beyond in making me satisfied with the service. Thank you Toyota of Plano (Vince Dies and JD Kimbrough).

 

Thanks for the inquiry. I actually need to thank the folks of Toyota of Plano for fixing the problem and believing in me. I had my vehicle at another dealership and Mr. Shannon Grape (Toyota of Lewisville) had the audacity to tell me that I drove my vehicle without oil. Both JD and Vince listen to my description and took the time to investigate the issue. They made my day when I had struggled with the other dealership for many months. Coming from someone who works on vehicles, I trust the work this dealership and they have gone above and beyond in making me satisfied with the service. Thank you Toyota of Plano (Vince Dies and JD Kimbrough).

 

Glad to hear it. What was their exact diagnosis?

 

YOURE NOT ALONE AND I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND THIS THREAD> MY Prius.. my poor poor baby has two freaking huge holes punctured into the same location!! I literally watched the oil just drain-!!!! What do I doooooooooooooooo.

 

welcome!
find a local mechanic who can install a salvage engine. are you near tampa?