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Head gasket question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by DomL 07, Dec 21, 2018.

  1. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

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    I have an 07 Prius. Last month I had no heat. There dealership said it was the pump that pushes the coolant ( offhand, I can' remember exactly what they called it )
    Last week, I had the same problem again. This time, they said it was a coolant leak and they fixed the hose and re-filled the radiator.
    Yesterday, I had no heat again. but, there was a puddle on the floor. Now, they are claiming the head gasket is leaking into the cylinders and the liquid is leaking out the exhaust. And, recommend a new engine. ( Not likely on an 07 with 247,000 miles. ) or, to keep the coolant reservoir full so I will have heat.

    I think, if the head gasket was leaking into the engine, the heat would vaporize the coolant. So, why is there a puddle on the floor and a wet spot on my driveway.

    I'm not sure I trust the dealership, even though they were great about other services to the car.

    Any input would be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Dom
     
    #1 DomL 07, Dec 21, 2018
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Find the source of the coolant leak.
    2. Start by inspecting the engine coolant pump. Look for coolant weeping past the pump bearing and leaking onto the pulley and the air conditioner compressor housing.
    3. Maybe the coolant is leaking out between the head and block.
    4. One possibility would be to install a used engine if you decide the original engine has a significant problem.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Dec 21, 2018
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  3. Brandon.S

    Brandon.S New Member

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    Coolant on the floor of the car, passenger side by any chance? I'm new to the prius world but usually that's a dead giveaway for a heater core leak.
     
    #3 Brandon.S, Dec 21, 2018
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  4. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

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    If it's still nice out ands not raining tomorrow, I'll get under and around to see. The dealership says it's the head gasket. We'll see.

    Thanks,
    Dom
     
    #4 DomL 07, Dec 22, 2018
  5. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

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    Been there, had that. The coolant is on the driveway, not in the car. Have to put it on a jack and look tomorrow.....
    If it's a half way decent day out.

    Thanks,
    Dom
     
    #5 DomL 07, Dec 22, 2018
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Extremely rare.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Dec 23, 2018
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Blown head gasket on a g2 is primarily caused by a severe engine overheat somewhere in its life either from losing the water pump belt or a blown engine water pump or you ran the car out of engine oil.
    It will be a dashboard full of lights event.

    If the car has seen any of those events the aluminum head is probably warped. Seen lots of those here from those events. The cheapest path in the long run is to buy a used motor and have someone install it unless your a mechanic and replace the head gasket yourself.

    Prices on this site vary but most are around $1500 to $2500 all in most in labor. This is having an independent mechanic doing the work. I sense you do not have one of those so Dealer engine replacement is usually out of the question as they charge $140 an hour and will get 25 hours on that not to mention whatever else they break installing it.

    And never ever trust a dealer. Have them show you what there charging you for. Check after you get the car back. Check is there oil and its at correct level and coolant and brake fluid in the car.
     
    #7 edthefox5, Dec 23, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2018
  8. DomL 07

    DomL 07 Member

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    I know there was oil and it was at the correct level because I change it regularly, and it uses about a quart every 3000 miles.
    The first time I had no heat, I took it to the dealership because my old mechanic said he didn't usually work on hybrids and
    was unsure how to burp the coolant. The dealership said my coolant pump was out od commission.
    I'm thinking that this is probably when it overheated.

    Unfortunately, there's too much crap in and around the engine for me to accurately check.
    I worked on my cars for many years until they became too complicated.
     
    #8 DomL 07, Dec 23, 2018
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  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Gotcha. Its a terrible system on this car the water pump fails or the belt falls off and since there's no temp gauge on the dash you never know the car is overheating until its way into overheat and it throws a check engine light. Really stupid. Too late the little aluminum head can't take 220F and it warps.

    Seen so many blown head gaskets on this site.
     
    #9 edthefox5, Dec 23, 2018
  10. golfmk681

    golfmk681 Active Member

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    That’s really dumb to not have a coolant gauge.
     
    #10 golfmk681, Dec 23, 2018
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  11. wanderso

    wanderso Junior Member

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    You bring up a good point. I’m wondering if I should install a ScanGauge II that reads off of the OBD port. I used this own a Motorhome and found that these are very common to be used by owners. Water temp is one or many different readings that can be done in real-time. » ScanGauge II

    I’ve got a Bluetooth OBD adapter already, but that tends to be a less reliable connection.


    2006 Prius Base
     
    #11 wanderso, Dec 26, 2018
  12. golfmk681

    golfmk681 Active Member

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    Is there a warning light on the scan gauge?

    Before the car melts and the temp is rising heading towards overheating, will the red triangle show up? Before it gets horrible? I ask because I carry a obd WiFi scanner and my app reads the code.
     
    #12 golfmk681, Dec 26, 2018
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