Have I Thrown/Blown A Rod?

It sounds like what happened to me after running fine and sitting over night. The egr valve was stuck open. Cleaned it and the egr cooler and ran fine afterwards.

 

To answer the title question: if you can drive it you haven't "thrown a rod".

How many miles on it?

Is the engine coolant level in the reservoir stable?

Any warning lights? If not, and you get on the following ASAP, you may be ok.

Start by cleaning intake manifold (including EGR passages) and the complete EGR system. And consider an oil catch can, to help keep the intake clean down the road.

 

Dropped a rod.....no, highly unlikely.
Not only would the engine probably not run at all, there probably would be a big puddle of oil on the ground.

 

Are you sure it's not something more "simple" than a rod? for example a exhaust vibration or a broken motor mount?

 

OR a plug that was loose and has come out......or multiple plug wires loose or broken ??
MUST not overlook the simple things and instead look for some exotic and unusual cause.

 

Something is not adding up. Everything highlighted in this picture, including the intake manifold, is part of the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system:



Removal of the EGR components requires backing out studs with an E8 Torx socket. Also, a variety of regular sockets, extensions, ratchet wrenches, a low-range torque wrench, and so on.

Bottom line: if you're struggling to remove the intake manifold bolts, I suspect you haven't removed and cleaned the full EGR system. Also, it would be best to delay it till you're back to civilzation, get more tools.

Here's some boiler plate info, and reference material is attached:

The simplest way to see where you're at, is to check the degree of carbon build up in the EGR pipe, a stainless steel connecting pipe between the EGR valve and intake manifold. Watch @NutzAboutBolts video #16 here:

Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat

Two or three other videos linked there too, for the full cleaning of the intake manifold, full EGR clean, and Oil Catch Can install.

Good thread:

EGR & Intake Manifold Clean Results | PriusChat

Another:

Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat

Some tools worth having:

E8 Torx socket (mandatory)
E6 Torx socket (optional, but good to have, to remove the throttle body studs from intake manifold)
3/8" ratchet wrench, regular and long handle, flex head, you can never have enough (or 1/2 plus reducer)
1/4" ratchet wrench, or 3/8" to 1/4" reducer
Ratchet extensions: you can never have enough
Long needle nose piers, straight and bent tip
Ratcheting 12mm box wrench (optional, but makes disconnection of the EGR cooler from exhaust easier)
Torque wrench (3/8" and 1/4" both good to have)
Floor jack and safety stands (or ramps): basically some method to raise front, if you need to take underpanel off, which you may need to, both for access and to recover dropped items.

Comment regarding clamping of coolant hose, mentioned and or shown in videos:

1. When removing the intake manifold for cleaning, you do need to lift the throttle body off the intake manifold. Still, the coolant hoses connected to the throttle body have ample slack, enough that you can leave them connected, and just tie the throttle body to something adjacent, say the inverter wiring harness.

2. When removing the EGR cooler, removing coolant hoses is necessary, but if you drain 2 liters/quarts from the radiator drain spigot prior (into a clean container), the coolant level in the system will be dropped below the EGR componennts, and you won't spill anything. Just be sure to not tip the cooler when lifting it off (and catch the rear gasket): there are a few tablespoons of coolant trapped at the lower back corner.

Pour that into your previous drained coolant, and when done pour it back into the reservoir. If you've got the coolant bleed bolt (2010, 2011 model years), leave it open while pouring the coolant back in, till coolant starts coming out. For later model years, leave the topmost coolant hose on EGR disconnected till coolant starts coming out. Also, might help to burp the main radiator hose as you pour the coolant back in.