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240k miles on water pump / car

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Tomy Giang, May 8, 2019.

  1. Tomy Giang

    Tomy Giang New Member

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    Hello all!

    2010 Prius now has 240k miles and I haven’t done any major repairs to it. Thinking of doing the following:

    -Spark Plugs
    -IM cleaning (gasket needed)
    -EGR cooling tube cleaning (two gaskets needed)
    -EGR pipe cleaning(one gasket needed)
    -OCC installation
    -PCV replacement
    -transaxle fluid replacement

    Everything else under here is subjective:
    -Water pump w/ gasket
    -Thermostat w/ housing
    -upper radiator hose
    -lower radiator hose
    -inverter pump
    -timing chain cover
    -valve cover gasket and (4) spark plug tubes (if there is oil inside the tube)

    Considering I only replaced the brake pads and rotors at 230k, and a grinding rear passenger wheel hub (I take the Prius into rough terrain often), I’d say it’s worth doing the maintenance to prolong the life of the vehicle. Car is losing 1qt of oil every 1500 miles.

    Any input would be appreciated.
     
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    I’d clean the entire egr circuit as well as replace the water pump ;).

    Sounds like the 2010 has been good to you so far(y).
     
  3. xerox6135

    xerox6135 Member

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    Kind of blows the idea that cleaning the egr cooler prevents the head gasket issue. How long have you owned your 2010 Prius? Sounds like it's been a great car for sure

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    In my opinion, a pump that is a “lifetime” pump had a finite lifetime. When it’s lifetime ends, bad things happen;).

    Your 2010’s water pump has been in service now for almost 10 years and 240k miles. That’s a great run:).

    We had our 2010 up until April 27th when we sold it and I picked up a Prius Prime. I changed all the pumps (engine, inverter and fuel) under the guise of everything wears out and I’ll do it on my terms rather than the mechanical parts along with the resulting consequences.

    But cleaning the egr circuit completely is prudent (y).
     
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  5. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    "Kind of blows the idea that cleaning the egr cooler prevents the head gasket issue. How long have you owned your 2010 Prius? "

    It only blows the idea that ALL high mileage Gen IIIs blow head gaskets, clean EGR or not. Most do not, or people would not be driving them.

    BTW: new to the Prius and PriusChat. I've been lurking here since July 2018, when I got my Gen III. I'm an experienced DIY mechanic; done all my car maintenance, including a couple restorations with complete engine rebuilds, but I am VERY grateful for this well-run and useful forum, which has served to put me well into the picture on the Prius. My 2010 trim V now has 63,000 miles on it.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How was it changing the fuel pump, a bit of a bear?

    I don't know, but suspect that periodic cleaning of the EGR and intake manifold, installing an Oil Catch Can, coupled with steadfast oil changes (maybe more frequently than Toyo USA schedule), will improve your odds.

    It should be very easy to visually check the valve cover and timing chain cover. I really doubt any significant amount is being lost through those.

    2010 through 2014 have the same rings. 2014 does change the piston. 2015 has both revised pistons and rings. I think it's still debatable how much difference the revised parts make, and would venture that just putting in brand new pistons/rings with the old part numbers would also be quite effect, for at least 100K miles.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, May 9, 2019
    Last edited: May 9, 2019
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  7. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    No it doesn’t. It’s all probabilities. Besides, this car is burning a quart of oil every 1,500 miles.
     
  8. Tomy Giang

    Tomy Giang New Member

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    Thanks for all the replies. Im in the same situation as @Ed Beaty. I’m glad to finally join and hopefully contribute.

    I have owned the Prius since 2012, when I bought it used with 40k miles. Car was a lease my cousin had, and he was well over miles with a year left, so I paid it off to keep the car. It has treated me well.

    I will definitely replace the water pump and all associated coolant components. I’m just hoping the major components that are known to fail don’t give up shortly after. .

    @Rebound, I agree with your assessment of probability. At this point, I’m not sure if I’m losing oil from a valve cover gasket, timing chain cover gasket, or actually burning oil. Probably all of it. Given the issues with 2010-11 Prius’ having oil control ring issues, I wouldn’t be surprised I have mostly burning oil. The EGR system could be a culprit of this issue, which I intend to clean out.
     
  9. Tomy Giang

    Tomy Giang New Member

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    Lifetime parts are based on a designed lifetime. Considering cars are not designed to last forever, and they want you to buy a new car, it’s difficult to conceive anything being designed for life. If maintained correctly, lubricated bearings and pumps can survivd much longer than their recommended replacement schedules. I’m replacing the pump as a precaution to 1000’s in repairs versus ~400 in parts. I’m pretty sure I’ve kicked this down the road long enough. Haha.
     
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    @The Critic and I did the fuel pump and it took about an hour :).

    We had the tool for the job though (circular wrench designed for a corolla and fit reasonably well for the Prius);).

    Make sure the gas tank is low to allow for less spillage if you attempt:cool:.

    But doable and you’ll be surprised what the inlet filter catches if you attempt the job(y).
     
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  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_O
     
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  12. xerox6135

    xerox6135 Member

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    Point being here we have a car with 240k on the clock and basically has been driven with little maintenance. I personally feel there is more to the head gasket issue than just EGR cooler becoming blocked with carbon.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It is the smoking gun.
     
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Here’s pics of the fuel pump filter that came out:

    B836FA7D-61F0-4E54-AB68-F9118F68C4FA.jpeg DE9DF3C7-A76E-4787-AB81-A129CBF26351.jpeg
    Then compared to the one going in:
    5CE784A3-CC0F-4DF1-AAFE-0158FC410156.jpeg
     
  15. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    And there are people who have smoked since their teens and live into their 90’s. Smoking still causes cancer.
     
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  16. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    FWIW: I have acquired a dandy (not a lot of cleaning required) used EGR cooler/valve assembly via eBay, ready to switch out with my existing one a few more miles down the road. Seems to be good prophylaxis, at the least....
     
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  17. xerox6135

    xerox6135 Member

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    We will see as my 2013 Prius is getting to the head gasket failer mileage. I have cleaned intake egr cooler about ever 65,000 miles I am at 156,000 . I hope you guys are correct. Just so many variables

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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