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EGR and Intake DIY

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Dbasra99, Oct 13, 2021.

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  1. Dbasra99

    Dbasra99 Junior Member

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    My 2012 plug in has about 250K miles and it looks like I need a new EGR and intake manifold. The dealer cost is too much and I hoped to do this myself. Is there any experience out there that would tell me not to try this myself?

    Thanks
     
  2. Potorap

    Potorap Active Member

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    Hello,
    I can tell you from experience the EGR valve can be cleaned and reinstalled.regarding the intake manifold, why do you need to replace it? Depending on your mechanic skills,I believe it is doable if you have time and patience.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nice run! how is the ev range holding up?
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Everything should be cleanable.

    The EGR cooler is the toughest, and with your miles it's likely more carbon than steel, which is doubly tough: you may need to work a wire through the passages some, just to get cleaners in there. Some swear by medium pressure pressure washers, you could try that for starters.

    My method (albeit at MUCH less miles) was to cork one end, fill with a concentrated Oxi-Clean solution (with hot tap water). Pour it in, prop it up, wait an hour, rinse and repeat. Took about 6 sessions thus to get it as-new clean.

    The EGR valve and connector pipe to intake manifold are relatively easy. The valve being mostly aluminum, don't use Oxi, just brake cleaner, carb cleaner, something like that.

    And the intake manifold needs cleaning as well, it's actually part of the EGR system. Pay particular attention to the small EGR passages, one at each intake port. They're roughly 6mm diameter. With your miles I'd replace all the pliable gasket on the intake manifold. Clean the throttle body too, while you're there. And can't stress enough: it is NOT necessary to disconnect throttle body coolant hoses for this.

    Much more info, repair manual excerpts and links, in my signature.

    Oh btw, I wouldn't even entertain having a dealership do this. And independent shops, especially if they're not familiar with it, are likely too expensive too.

    Here's the "Oxi" of which I speak:


    upload_2021-10-14_9-25-40.png
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Oct 14, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2021
  5. Dbasra99

    Dbasra99 Junior Member

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    Only about 11 on the EV range. Not too bad.
     
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  6. Dbasra99

    Dbasra99 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions. My error codes are P0304 and P0401. The EGR was cleaned by the shop last year and this year they suggested the new one.


    Do you think it is worth just to clean everything again before replacing?
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Which components are they proposing to change? There's an EGR cooler, valve, and pipe. And finally the intake manifold has EGR passages, from the pipe to the intake ports. I'd speculate:

    1. They struggled with cleaning the cooler, didn't really get it cleared. Hopefully DID attempt to clean...
    2. The valve was failing mechanically, and the problem persists.
    3. They didn't clean the intake manifold, or did but missed the EGR passages.

    Again, 250K miles is well into danger territory, I'd try a leak-down test first, verify (or disprove) the head gasket is still sealing.

    Another trick, with the p0304 code (misfire on cylinder 4): move the coils/plugs around, say swap four with one, and see if the code changes or stays with cylinder 4. If the latter, that'd point to head gasket failure at cylinder 4.

    upload_2021-10-15_8-7-7.png
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Oct 15, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2021
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  8. Dbasra99

    Dbasra99 Junior Member

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    My car eats oil like crazy. I expect to see crud everywhere when I get in there. The shop just said the valve and intake. They did not mention the cooler.

    Thanks for the suggestions. Very much appreciated.

    If the head gasket is leaking is that something I can tackle myself?
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Gasket masters has one how-to video for head gasket still up, that'll give you an idea what's involved:

     
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  10. JohnnyPR

    JohnnyPR Junior Member

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    Good video guide! We'll do the head gasket replacement on the Prius soon after we finished installing the brake pads, wheels and tires plus alignment on the truck and clear the garage.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The last link in my signature has a bunch of head gasket related excerpts from Repair Manual. If you can think of anything else ask in this thread and I’ll look.
     
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If you need to have someone clean or replace your egr system, a head gasket job is far more challenging and includes removing the same egr and intake. Plus enough skill and experience to time the engine properly on the first try. Verification of warped block and head is needed and ideally the head is professionally rebuilt. In the end, nothing has reduced the excessive oil consumption which may quickly repeat the process. Which is the reason dealers only rebuild or replace these engines rather than a potentially disappointing hg job. Even Gasketmasters will stop and reaccess when they see damage.
     
    #12 rjparker, Aug 20, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2022
  13. Dbasra99

    Dbasra99 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the response. I did replace my egr and cooler and manifold myself a few months ago and my mpg increased nicely. Right now my head gasket seems to fine as I approach 300k miles.
     
  14. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If it is not broke don't fix it. At least in this case.
     
  15. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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