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2010 Prius: Headgasket issue - should I fix it or get engine replaced

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by BenAda, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. BenAda

    BenAda New Member

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    III
    And to give a historical timeline of my Prius problems.

    On 07/15, before 1st diagnosis of Headgasket, my mechanic found CEL Codes P0300, P0302, P0303, and P0304. (Respectively Randon misfire, and Cylinder #2, #3, and #4 misfire). He found the 4 spark plugs to be bad and replaced them all. He also reported Fuel injectors and ignition coil was fine but recommended a transmission service.

    On 07/28 I was told it was only code CEL P0302 (Cylinder #2 misfire) and told it was a head gasket leak.

    On 08/08 when I took it to my dealer, it was code P0302 as well. They noticed I had replaced #1 and #2 coils. However, they used compression test using Techstream and found Cylinder #2 to fail. And found coolant leaking into #2 cylinder. That's where they recommended changing the head gasket.
     
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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Coils were fine but dealer says you have 2 replacement coils?

    How did he perform the transmission service? How did he think it was going to help with the misfires?

    Rarely will a car misfire that many cylinders at once, bad spark plugs won't do all that.
     
  3. BenAda

    BenAda New Member

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    It was the independent mechanic who told me coils were fine. But the dealer (whom I don't regularly service my car) saying I have 2 replacement ones. There's a sound in the transmission area according to the mechanic so he recommended the transmission service.

    Regarding the multiple misfires, I am just reporting what my mechanic said. Maybe it could have been accumulated over time?
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm hoping this mechanic knows to use the right transaxle fluid with this car. It uses Toyota WS fluid and not the regular transmission fluid. Since there are noises that the prius makes, I don't think this mechanic is too familiar with a hybrid.

    Either way, you'll need to address the head gasket. Maybe afterwards, you can find another indy mechanic
     
  5. AubreyIII

    AubreyIII Junior Member

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    I picked up my 2011 Prius this morning from having the engine replaced at 148,000 mi. Paid $1,500 for an engine with 18,000 on the clock, $650 for labor, and $85 to clean my old intake manifold before installation. Mine had a head gasket failure. I had knocking at startup and loss of coolant - no milky oil or oil in the coolant, just coolant loss into the engine. I made the final diagnosis by borrowing a combustion leak detector like this:



    If the fluid changes color you have a leak between the combustion chamber and the cooling system. While the engine is running, combustion gas is entering the cooling system and conversely, coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber.
     
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  6. chit phyu

    chit phyu New Member

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    Hello any updates on your car ? I am having the same situation and I live In modesto . My car is 2011 Toyota Prius . 172000 mile . Today I went to dealer and they said my car has code p0302 . And they said coolent is leaking to engine which cause misfire . I can't buy new car . And dealer charge me 3000$ estimate . Should I also try hybrid 911 to get new engine ? How did you end up with your car ?
    Thanks
     
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  7. chit phyu

    chit phyu New Member

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    Hello
    Could you tell me where did you fix it your car ??
    Thanks
     
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Probably got their Prius fixed somewhere near Montgomery, AL would be my guess;).

    If you are in Modesto, California, pricing for a transplanted engine is around what you were quoted. I chatted with another member in Tracy that was in the same boat:(. They were going to go to Sac to Maxat for the same price.

    Good luck(y).
     
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  9. chit phyu

    chit phyu New Member

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    The one i got quoted is from Toyota dealer . But it is not for transplant the whole engine or head gasket . They just said it will be around that to see how it is . I have to pay more if I need to rebuild or transplant the engine or head gasket .
     
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  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    That's the diagnostic fee(n)?

    If you have a dropping coolant level, the oil is milky or there is white smoke coming out of the tail pipe, the head gasket is gone. The engine either is or will begin to burn some oil, so I would look to source a replacement engine and save the "diagnostic fee";).

    There are 2 auto recyclers in Rancho Cordova that have used engines. There is also LKQ in Stockton that will also have engines.

    Hope that helps(y).
     
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  11. chit phyu

    chit phyu New Member

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    No diagnosis fee. They said they have to see what it is really from head gasket or the whole engine . They don't know until they open it . But they said the cheapest one I should expect after they open my car up will be around 3000$ in modesto Toyota dealer .
    Will try to call those 2 auto recycler tomorrow ....
    thanks for recommendations.
     
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  12. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    p0302 is misfire on cylinder 2, its not necessary considered a blown head gasket. I would pull the spark plugs out of cylinder 2, inspect if there's oil, then do compression testing on all cylinders to compare it with cylinder 2.
     
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  13. chit phyu

    chit phyu New Member

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    IMG_8379.JPG
    That is what I got !! Could you able to check for me ?
    Thanks
     
  14. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    if the car is at your house, pull the spark plugs out of the cylinder #2 and check if there's coolant in there, if there is, then your head gasket is bad.
     
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  15. chit phyu

    chit phyu New Member

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    Thanks . Will do .
     
  16. BenAda

    BenAda New Member

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    Sorry, I haven't updated in a while.

    Like Ray had mentioned, my car is currently having it's engine replaced in Sacramento area. Was quoted $3500 to replace engine but was able to get it down to somewhere like $3,300. I'll send another update when the job is done and I pick it up.
     
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  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Glad to hear it worked out.

    You have any issues getting it up there?
     
  18. BenAda

    BenAda New Member

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    No, not really, i filled it with coolant before leaving home, and I didn't feel vibrations that much along the 90-mile drive. The coolant level was still about the same when I got to Rancho Cordova.

    Makes me wonder if I should have waited a little longer before replacing the engine.......but better safe than sorry.
     
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  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Once you get the engine done, you should be good for awhile:).

    The one thing I am doing preventative maintenance on is the HV battery. I use the Prolong setup and have seen good results;).

    Glad to hear you made it safely up (y).
     
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  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Actually one other thought for you @BenAda :

    Could you ask Maxat if they could save the egr cooler for you?

    I am a curious lad and am wondering the condition ;).

    See what they say(y).
     
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