244k miles. . . Replace battery or say goodbye?

Lots of salvage yards with engines around Nashville for under $300

 

Each wrecker is going to have a slightly different process for what they leave on the engine and what they take off. For example I tried to buy an EGR valve for a Gen3 Prius from a wrecker once and they told me they didn't have any because they leave that part on the engine so I'd have to buy the whole engine.

For you this means the more parts they take off the engine, the more parts your mechanic has to swap out from your old engine.

I've seen engines online before that come with everything including transmission, front wheels brakes suspension and steering rack. That type of set up is going to be great if your mechanic has the ability to lift the car up in the air and remove everything from underneath, but requires way more labor to take apart if mechanic is removing the engine from the top such as the way these two guys did it on Youtube in 1/2 dozen hours:

 

Normally yes.

 

Everyone is equipped to pass judgement. Some are just better equipped than others LOL. And you don't even know the half of it. I've probably passed more judgement then you can imagine.

I still think my advice was solid. Just buy another Prius. I'm looking at 3-4 of them here on CL that look like they're great deals for $2500-4000.

For the heck of it. Any idea why the engine threw a rod?

 

The Prius is a machine that gradually wears all moving parts. A few decades ago, 150,000 miles was consider good. Today 244,000 is pretty, pretty good, as Larry David would say. Yes, some 400k-500k taxi and delivery driver Prii exist but when you ask, they have changed batteries, head gaskets, accessories, etc. Or engines. They usually have back up vehicles and often have in house shops or contracted mechanics.

I would suggest your mechanic wants a used engine that he can warranty. I doubt you want to spend $3k-$5k and have no warranty. I would want a year or 30,000 mile guarantee. Used engines could be great, they could have the miles they claim or they could be the exact opposite. Recently a guy on here bought an imported 50k mile JDM engine (from a Japan sourced car) only to have it blow a head gasket in a month (a common failure usually at high miles). Head gaskets can and do throw rods on occasion.

So almost all dealers and most quality shops will suggest a rebuild on the newly purchased used engine. Sometimes an extra $800 by a specialist shop. Then you have an engine that is completely unclogged, has no oil leaks, new rings, machined heads, etc.

Now the hv battery needs attention. Maybe $2000 gets you a quality battery that gives you flawless service for five years or more. While the low cost individual module "refurbs" might have a decent guarantee, the stranding and loss of use every year may get old quick.

So a rebuilt engine and new battery (or new cell battery) gives you reliable transportation in those areas. Plus an increased resale if documented and sold privately in a couple of years when you are ready.

The alternatives might be another used car, a clean and inspected Prius or more realistically, a similarly priced standard Corolla or Camry. Or take advantage of the best time of the year to buy new, now through New Years. It is particularly good between Christmas and New Years.

 

If you look around here the answer is well known. Previous owner didn't know Gen 2 Prius burns oil and let it get too low. Damages the rod bearings and rod pins. Time passes and Boom. Well known problem.

 

Not worth the cost to replace engine, even if the used engine is $300, plus battery replacement. Unless your uncle can do the work, better buy another vehicle.