Drive 400 miles one way in '06 Prius with 175k miles or 2010 Honda Accord with 185k?

Prius check engine light has been on and off, mostly off, for years. Replacing ignition coils turned it off for awhile.

Next code: ignition coil. I said they've been replaced. So Toyota suggested another near-$1000 to replace (if I recall) injectors, saying they can also throw same code. I said car's running fine, no misfiring. Light went off.

Back on, lots of codes had been stored, probably cascade effect, said service manager. Not sure where it began or what to fix, so let it go, he suggested, until we can get better handle on codes. That was last year. Light mostly off since then.

Red "!" came on last week at power on, along with Check Engine. Wife showed me. I looked under hood at levels I could see, and oil. Nothing obvious wrong.

Powered off and back on: no "!". This exact thing happened once before last year, both days 90°+. She was seated, I couldn't see message, and she didn't look before it went away. Usually, out of six times "!" has appeared, it's gone off immediately. The times I could look fast enough, OIL has been indicated as problem. Never low. Nothing else ever indicated.

I could go to Toyota to see what code is stored, but Check Engine light is almost always off before I can go. Right now it's on. They're closed.

Prius plugs and serpentine belt have been replaced around 120k. Not sure about timing belt/chain or PCV valve; doubt it. Original water pump has residue on body, but never added coolant.

I'd say both cars have been well-maintained except nobody knows what to fix on the Prius, if anything. Both cars seem to run fine.

Under these conditions, would YOU drive it 400 miles one way on Saturday, back in a week, with little driving in between? Or take my son-in-law's Accord? Or either or neither (I.e., rent for $260)?





Gen 2 (2006) and Gen 4 (2017)

 

'06 Prius is not making the trip. Thank you for making that a no-brainer. Though I couldn't express it, the 400-mile non-stop trip leading to failure is what I more of less thought made it ineligible. Honestly, I had no intention of letting someone else drive it, but I wanted backup. I'm also not so keen on the Accord. (Daughter's small family trip; their Accord.)

As I recall, there was a recall to replace the internal pump and that has been done long ago.
There's no wet area near the external pump. As I think Toyota told me, a very slow leak through a weep hole accounts for the dry residue. I've NEVER added coolant.

"On the dipstick is the oil closer to clear than black and is the level close to the top?"

Yes, yes. Oil change 1000 miles ago. Oil on dipstick looks like new oil.

I'm assuming you think coolant is being sucked into the engine, but coolant level never changes.

Gen 2 (2006) and Gen 4 (2017)

 

Light was steady ON at startup three times EVER (other two were months, maybe years ago), never flashing briefly, and was NOT on after powering off and on , so I assume that doesn't point at battery. Toyota found it healthy last month. Supposedly.

I assume I WANT to see coolant FLOW that is NOT SMOOTH but is irregular and maybe bubbly inside the sort-of-clear coolant reservoir sitting right up top inside the engine compartment and containing pink fluid (coolant) between max and min marks. (Obviously I've never been down this road and prior to Googling didn't know terminology.) I'll remove the cap and peer into the reservoir if I don't clearly see turbulence through the plastic body.

Gen 2 (2006) and Gen 4 (2017)

 

I'm not taking the trip. Neither is the '06. Rental not out of question. Just inquiring.

Gen 2 (2006) and Gen 4 (2017)

 

Yes. Turbulence both ways.

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P.S. She rented a car, didn't chance taking Prius per advice here, but there have been no problems since. Thanks for clearing my head.

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