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Misfire/coolant leak fix question

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by plunk10, Oct 27, 2020.

  1. plunk10

    plunk10 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    East coast
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    3 questions.

    1. Will cleaning out the EGR cooler, intake manifold, etc. eliminate a misfire problem if the head gasket is bad?

    2. If a "liquid head gasket sealer" fixes the head gasket issue, would that eliminate a misfire problem temporarily if the EGR cooler, intake manifold, etc. are NOT cleaned?

    3. If consuming coolant, is the coolant trickling into the motor at all times, or just during the misfire?

    My car developed the misfire in cylinder 1, and will misfire at cold start, and sometimes after the ICE has shut off for at least 30 seconds or so. Not every time, but most of the time. Coolant is disappearing slowly (less than half quart after 300+ miles driving like this.
     
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    1 and 2, No

    3, maybe, but it doesn't matter, it's leaking.
    The sooner you replace the head gasket, and valve guide seals,
    the better off the engine will be.

     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How many miles? Any warning lights, codes?

    Cleaning the EGR (and intake) now is likely "closing the barn door after the horses have bolted".

    Nevertheless it's what should be done right after the head gasket is fixed.

    And don't gunk up your engine with a stop-leak product.
     
    Paul E. Highway and ASRDogman like this.
  4. plunk10

    plunk10 Junior Member

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    2013 Prius v wagon
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    Five
    210,000 miles. I threw the cylinder 1 misfire code on the day it had the most problems (and took to a mechanic immediately following). Plugs were replaced, along with 1 coil, but the problem remains, if not quite as severe or frequent. But I definitely noticed coolant very slowly missing from the reservoir.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Touring
    It's traditional, for head gasket to fail at cyl 1 or 2. Almost inevitable by those miles, barring earlier EGR/intake clean out.
     
    Grit and scona like this.
  6. Mdv55

    Mdv55 Active Member

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    If you're looking to keep the car for a while it would be wiser to bite the bullet and replace the headgasket now instead of kicking the can down the road and paying more later.
     
    Grit likes this.
  7. jimontheocean

    jimontheocean Member

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    Yea, kick that can far enough down the road, hydrolock the cylinder and bend or break a rod.


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