Small crack on engine near PCV Valve

Yeah even to check your AA battery collection, rudimentary multimeters are really a cheap commodity these days. Didn't stop me getting the Milwaukee RMS meter though.

Then, google "solar BA5", for an entry level electronic tester, around $60~70?

 

Man, you pretty much live on here.

I should talk...

 

If they're afraid to check 12 volt on a Prius, you better keep them away from it, they sound incompetent lol.

 

Is that the pot calling the kettle black.

Today was draft day in 2 of the fantasy football leagues i am in. So I was at a computer more than usual today.

Still not here as much as some.

 

There are Harbor freights around your location of Bethlehem:

Harbor Freight Tools Stores - Search Results

We were just at the Crayola Factory in Easton at the end of July and went by one of the Harbor Freights.

 

It can be like Prius Chat: addictive.

 

Home Depot too. Most any hardware.

 

The closest auto parts store to me is Advanced Auto Parts. Those guys are about the rudest and least competent I've ever seen in the business. I don't go there anymore. As @Mendel Leisk said, if they are afraid to load test the 12V on a Prius, run away.

We have an Auto Zone nearby. They seem good. I hear good stuff about Pep Boys if you have them around. But, as Mendel and Ray said, it's not hard to do a basic check with a meter, and no home should be without a multi meter. I haven't invested (yet) in the BA5 Mendel likes because I can generally figure out with a multi meter whether I need to take the battery to a shop for further testing.

 

Ouch is right!! I wonder how they managed that and why they apparently had to replace the whole car.

Just take the battery out and go over to the place and set it on the countertop and see if they are still afraid of it.

 

Same area I had my problem with except I kept going since I dropped my worklight. Turns out the noise I heard wasn't just the PCV valve. You think Toyota designed it this way on purpose? It's damn near impossible to change it because of the valve cover. I went straight through though like a beginner mechanic. I haven't really done engine work since I had started chemo treatments back in 2013 though. Maybe I'm too rusty. I'll have to be much more careful next time. My dad would roll over in his grave if he knew about this.

 

Yeah you've GOT to use a socket, to play it safe. That thing is just a trap: it's tempting to put a wrench on it, and there you go.

Take the valve cover off, fish out the broken piece, clean/dry everything with alcohol, fit the piece back with JB Weld or similar.

 

I wanted to... I really did, but I needed more room which meant taking out the coolant reservoir. Not making that mistake again. Next time, provide yourself extra work room or don't do it at all. I ordered a new valve cover and gasket to replace this one. I'm also having an issue on the 3rd cylinder removing the Spark plug. Thing keeps spinning like a boot is stuck in it or a rubber piece from a spark plug socket, but mine is still in one piece. This time I'm bringing it to Toyota after i change the cover since it was running fine prior to me working on it

 

Remove the sheet metal tray that runs across the back of the engine compartment, so that you have good visibility and access to the spark plug wells. Then you can easily see what is wrong with the third cylinder spark plug well.

Don't be afraid to remove the tray, it takes about 10 minutes once you are familiar with the process. Remove the windshield wiper arms. Remove the rubber gasket that runs along the length of the tray. Remove the two black plastic tray cover pieces below the arms. Remove the relay box that is bolted to the tray.

You probably have to replace the plastic fasteners at the ends of the black plastic tray covers since they will get fragile with age and exposure to the sun. Then you can remove the windshield wiper motor, and the bolts that hold the metal tray to the car body.

This give you access to lots of items such as the rear of the inverter, the brake actuator, and of course the top of the engine.

 

Use your open end, but figure out first what angle it can reach before touching the valve cover, then lay a wood block or something ahead of it on the cover so it can't?

I can't easily go try it; I have a Gen 3 now, with its PCV valve in a whole different evil place.

-Chap