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suddenly: cracked engine block!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LunaKing, Jan 2, 2016.

  1. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    2009 Prius, ~97K miles, well maintained, bought it new. While on the freeway, it sounded and felt like I hit a golfball sized rock (I didn't), the red triangle appeared, I pulled off and saw lots and lots of oil running out. Yikes. Got towed to a Toyota dealer and they said my engine was cracked and I need a new engine or a new car!

    Seems crazy this would happen to a 6 year old engine!!? My bad luck? Advice?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Bad luck, unless you allowed the engine oil level to drop below the lower dimple on the dipstick - in which case this was due to owner abuse.

    Have an independent mechanic install a used engine from a wrecked 2007 - 2009 Prius with a low odometer reading. That might cost you ~$2,500.
     
  3. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    No, there was plenty of oil, checked it just last week. And all maintenance has been done by Toyota (I'm so not a DIYer)

    In your experience, is it worth going back to the dealer where I bought it to say: "help me out here, this shouldn't happen"

    Thanks Patrick!
     
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  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes. Since you've relied upon dealer service and the car therefore has a complete service history, you could ask the dealer's service manager for help. If you don't receive a positive response, contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center for assistance.
     
  5. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    hi! the dealer sent me to Toyota Customer Experience Center, good experience so far!

    Question: they are recommending buying a "remanufactured engine" which she said is a brand new engine on the inside, but the "casing" is not new. And the warranty is for 1 year. Any information on exactly what this "remanufactured engine" is? If it's new on the inside, is it logical to have only 1 year warranty?

    Thanks you smart car people!!
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    since it isn't new altogether, and toyota parts are mostly 1 year warranty, it makes sense. they wouldn't build a product that wouldn't last, on average. are they offering for free?
     
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    It's pretty much what the dealer said. They send the engine block to a machine shop, where cylinders are honed, specs are checked, everything is cleaned and made like new again.
     
  8. LunaKing

    LunaKing New Member

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    Thanks!

    Sounds like a good solution to go w the remanufactured engine!? They are not offering for free, maybe ~50%, still negotiating.
     
  9. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    So what part cracked, then?
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably the block. piston rod?
     
  11. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    My point - I didn't know a machine shop could make a cracked block "like new again". Sounded weird to me.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good point.
     
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Probably a used engine block, sent to a machine shop to ensure heads are true, then reassembled using new components.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good point.
     
  15. luckyboy

    luckyboy Member

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    Since you are in CA, it should be very easy to find a used engine locally from a crashed prius, that is the route I would go. I don't see this coming out for less than $5K at the dealer, even for a re-manufactured engine. A junkyard engine and a non-dealer installation could be around 2 grand.
     
  16. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Who is selling the rebuilt engine? In my experience a rebuilt engine will last a few years before you're back in the shop again. Run the car until the warranty expires then trade in.
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the car is broken, toyota is offering him the rebuilt engine.
     
  18. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    They will not use your block. If your block is cracked its scrap metal. The blocks for reman engines are usually acquired from total loss wrecks with rear end damage.
     
  19. JudgeDoug

    JudgeDoug Junior Member

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    My 06' motor cracked a week before Christmas! Sure enough, on the bottom 6" from the oil pan. Scrap yard motor $750.
     
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