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From o2 sensor to engine replacement in 10 days?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by FantasticalMagicOne, Dec 29, 2018.

  1. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    Not sure if I can be there, but we'll know for sure when I re-run the test per Patrick's instructions.
     
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Have you ever heard the nuclear term “trust but verify”? I would be there with a GoPro recording every move of the tech at this point. Don’t let these assbags touch your car without you being there recording what they do at this point.
     
  3. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    If I understand that correctly, you're getting me a GoPro? :ROFLMAO:

    I'm getting my car back tomorrow, regardless of the results. Transportation has been an issue, I brought my car in to Dealership 1 on 12/17 for a sensor replacement, and I don't usually have access to another vehicle. Not so easy to covertly record anywhere when there's not way to get there. If I can get there tomorrow, then I will. Thing 1 doesn't have school tomorrow, so he'd have to be there too. He can probably do more than enough damage to their shop to cover what I've paid in auto repair. :ROFLMAO:
     
  4. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Who said covertly? Bring a damm camera with you and make it known you have one. Have Thing 1 run the camera
     
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  5. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    Noted.



    :LOL::LOL::LOL::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
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  6. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    I would not trust those guys to count the number of Klingons on Uranus at this point. :D
     
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  7. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    Toyota called and left a message noting that the test was within normal parameters, and I am waiting on the shuttle service now. I didn't ask for the specifics, but will be getting them when I pick up the car. As previously noted, I'll be double checking the results. But I want to know if the compression tests fine, can the engine still be shot?

    I'm just baffled here. I've never heard of an engine just dying without any warning signs.
     
  8. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Basically the compression test tells you the pistons and valves are doing what they are supposed to do. That means it’s something else. Spark and gas are the other 2 components that make the engine run.
    It used to be a lot easier when it was just a simple carburetor and ignition system. Now you have things like VVT that could mess things up also.

    Go back to when the problem started. What was done to the car at that time?

    You changed the Cat and the car ran OK but the check engine light went on? So you took it to the dealer and had them install an aftermarket fuel air mixture sensor? Then the problem started?
     
    #388 Skibob, Jan 18, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2019
  9. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    You can still have some serious engine problems while showing good compression scores. It would be really unusual, but technically not impossible.

    Before I met a hybrid, the two most valuable scores I sought to diagnose old or sick cars were cylinder compression and oil pressure readings. Compression tells you about the top end, oil pressure for the bottom. Pass both? Your engine is fine- may need cleaning, sealing, tuning and refinement for drivability*, better power, emissions pass etc... but the engine is ok.

    I haven't seen anything at all to question oil pressure in this case; so I can't counsel you to spend any time or money measuring it. It's probably fine.

    *that front O2 sensor is the primary instrument used by the ECU for real-time tuning. Get that done.
     
  10. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    I have (another) appt to have that done.
     
  11. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    This and my a/f sensor came home with me.

    There was 1 battery bar when I started the car and it shut itself off. I waited a few minutes and started it again and immediately began to force charge. I had to force charge the battery a total of 5 times to get home (10 miles). My friends garage is over 30 miles away and I'm very nervous about getting it there.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Not that I want to bring up another place to check, bad fuel injectors (somewhat a known issue)? That'll cause the 4 cylinders to misfire.
     
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  13. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    O2 sensor voltage appears to be pegged low which says lean condition. Good O2 voltage should be oscillating around 4.5. It doesn't sound like the computer is getting imputed from your O2 sensor.

    The dealer seems to be stuck on sludge. I say screw the sludge, fix the car.
     
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  14. Ernest Erickson

    Ernest Erickson New Member

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    If an O2 sensor was the only issue, that would show up immediately.
    Most cars with O2 sensor problems will eventually force the ECM to run in open loop, ignoring the bad sensor data, which would force you to reset the ECM to clear the code, and acceleration would be sluggish, and idling would be unstable, knocking and sputtering on pedal depress. Not an engine killer, just annoying.
    From the description of your problems, it is far more than a simple O2 sensor malady.
    I am for more interested in the HV battery capacity and life of the assembly.
    From the low charge rate, you are not getting enough voltage or current to the battery.
    Might be cable issues..Check everything....twice.
     
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  15. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    The voltage on the HV is testing fine, it began discharging at a rapid rate when I left the stealership the first time, after the A/F sensor was changed. Remember, the inverter has to come out in order to install it properly and if it wasn't put back together/reinstalled correctly, then it would affect the power transfer to/from the battery/engine. I am having that sensor changed, getting rid of carbon (if any) on the pistons, and have the fuel injectors checked out as suggested by JC91006. If those steps don't take care of it, then we will troubleshoot from there or I'll walk away from it and eat my losses.

    I understand that this may not be the issue, or the complete issue, but I do think that it's the place to start. It is absolutely infuriating that the 1st dealership wouldn't check it despite it being the only change before the vehicle started with these new issues, and that the 2nd dealership wouldn't replace it despite my repeated requests.

    In the meantime, I have to wait another week before we see where this goes, but a working vehicle won't be necessary for a little bit. Snowmageddon has begun and everyone should be stuck in their homes.
     
  16. Ernest Erickson

    Ernest Erickson New Member

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    The first dealer, raked you over the coals, and did nothing to actually solve your problem.
    All things being equal, the simplest explanation, must be the problem.
    This is why dealers are rarely considered, where repairs are concerned. They want the big money, and easy fixes.
    Customer service is a full time job, but they dropped the ball on you, and then tried to cover up inept service with excuses...
    We have not had our Prius long enough to become fluent in every facet of its operation, or maladies, and hopefully never.
    I certainly hope you will be able to pinpoint the areas of concern, and eliminate them as well.
    I wish you success in that endeavor!

    I will be doing something similar, by locating a good service manual for the drivetrain/power control systems.
    If I feel qualified to do the work, I will.
    Electron flow is my life, that portion will be simple for me.
    I do not get involved with heavier tasks as I once did...pulling engines, transmissions are now history for me.
    The 'lure' of rebuilding those, has faded to dull glow.
    There has to be a solution, and all of us might be dancing around the actual solution without recognizing it..

    We are very familiar with deep, cold snow also...we closed up our house in N. Wisconsin, and moved to AZ. to get away from it. After 32 consecutive days at -28, we had enough. We winterized, drained the water from the on-demand well, shut off the power, and headed south.
    All the best to you with your troubles, we hope they are soon eliminated!
     
  17. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    Skibob and Prodigyplace like this.
  18. Ernest Erickson

    Ernest Erickson New Member

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  19. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    I went out to start it today to make sure it still did. It's been sitting for over a week. Probably the longest it's gone without me starting it. Anyway, it started and the HV battery was at the halfway point (or 1 bar above that - can't remember). It shook/jerked as it idled then shut itself off. The electronics in the car continued to work (lights and whatnot). The temps have been below freezing all week. Can leaving it sit in these conditions without starting it for over a week be a factor in the engine shutting itself off?

    I'm supposed to take it to the garage tomorrow so the sensor can be changed Monday. I was already afraid to drive it that far (30 miles), and now I'm not sure what to do. Should I try again and see what happens?

    All the same dash lights are still on.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how long did it run for?