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2010: engine shake with white exhaust...could this be anything BUT a Head Gasket?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by eatdrumss, Dec 15, 2021.

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  1. eatdrumss

    eatdrumss Junior Member

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    Just replaced Plugs, Coils & PCV
    Just had Oil Changed [it was LOW]


    Other Variables or Details of Note:
    Tried a tank of 93 last week.
    Filled up with the usual 87 the evening my shaking started occurring not just at start up...but at slow speeds seemingly under 20mph or accelerating from a stop.

    The next day tried starting...it unsuccessfully tried to kick on twice...I powered off...tried again a bit later...turning the heater on to intiate the ICE start up...it had a brief shake but then smoothed out...and I noticed the excessive white smoke out the tail pipe.

    My coolant is at the low line level

    Could this be anything BUT a Head Gasket?

    The PCV was filthy
    Probably need to Clean the EGR.
    Could fuel injectors be a possible cause of issues?
    The new plugs seemed to clear the misfire codes and the Check Hy Sys! Dash light
     
    #1 eatdrumss, Dec 15, 2021
  2. ammdb

    ammdb Active Member

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    You can test for combustion gas in the coolant.
     
    #2 ammdb, Dec 15, 2021
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No kidding.

    if you want to confirm the inevitable, get a leak down test. Fix the head gasket first, make sure the pistons all come up to the same TDC (bent rod check), and finally do clean the egr and intake. Egr cooler will likely be so bunged you might want to replace.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 15, 2021
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  4. 2010moneypit?

    2010moneypit? Active Member

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    In the many years that I have been doing this I have seen injectors stick or the drivers command the injectors to be open all the time causing a lot of white smoke and Hydro locking. So to answer your question yes it could be an injector. But, unfortunately I have never seen it on a Prius. It is most likely a head gasket failure. A leak down test should point you in the right direction or use a borescope and remove the spark plugs look at the tops of the pistons for a very clean and wet cylinder where the coolant has been going. I agree with Mendel make sure you check for a bent connecting rod.

    I suspect that the dealer missed a slightly bent connecting rod on my vehicle. Since the check engine light was coming on mine I was able to get my head gasket done under the emissions warranty. (California 150 thousand miles or 10 years)
     
    #4 2010moneypit?, Dec 15, 2021
  5. eatdrumss

    eatdrumss Junior Member

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    Testing the for Coolant Leakage seems redundant...I stayed up all night reading and watching Prius Engine Film...

    'Where there is White Smoke' .... There is either a Gasket Failure or a Papal Conclave has made a decision...

    This intensely condensed study has led me to the following inexorable fork:

    Replace Engine
    Found a locally available [$750ask]
    Rebuilt Engine Gen3 [10-15]
    Intial issue: 'minor water leak on cylinder 2'

    "The engine was in great shape prior to rebuild just had a new head, head gasket replaced. New timing chain and all the seals and spark plugs. Ready to go."

    Also seeing the Next Gen Engines on sale for under $400 on ebay...with flat freight shipping included

    Or

    Replace Head Gasket
    While there Do The Water Pump
    Decarb the EGR system, MAF sensor, throttle body
     
    #5 eatdrumss, Dec 15, 2021
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Very informative thread on a 4th gen into 3rd engine transplant here:

    Swapping in a Gen 4 Prius' 2ZR Engine into the Prius v | PriusChat

    His approach is to retain 3rd gen intake, throttle body and EGR components, likely the best.

    Others have managed to use the 4th gen EGR components (and maybe the 4th gen intake and throttle body as well?), but it's not easy, and the 3rd gen computers might have a hard time dealing with 4th gen EGR.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Dec 15, 2021
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  7. eatdrumss

    eatdrumss Junior Member

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    The Local Rebuilt Engine has a replaced Head & HGasket...its from a 2012-15 Prius V.

    Seems like it includes the water pump and EGR.

    A New EGR & water pump would be close to 400 presumably by themselves

    So I am leaning towards Engine Swap...I spoke to my mechanic...I can drop off the car on Monday....
     
    #7 eatdrumss, Dec 15, 2021
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  8. eatdrumss

    eatdrumss Junior Member

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    Update:

    Monday: Mechanic is Able to receive my car...

    Current Contemplation regarding pick up of engine:

    Drive my injured Prius to the Engine [30 ish miles]
    Put engine in rear hatch
    Drive to Mechanic [another 30 miles]

    Or

    Utilize a couple aaa tows
    Tow to Engine
    Purchase Engine
    Put Engine in Hatch
    Tow to Mechanic
    Get Ride Home
     
    #8 eatdrumss, Dec 15, 2021
  9. eatdrumss

    eatdrumss Junior Member

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    Update to the Update :)

    Truck or Trailor is needed for Hoisting Engine Load in.

    Now I must consider & inquire if the engine could be loaded onto the flatbed with my Prius....

    Should I not even consider driving my car anywhere or should I consider it if its helpful as I will be swapping engines anyway.?
     
    #9 eatdrumss, Dec 15, 2021
  10. ammdb

    ammdb Active Member

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    Sounds like it's time to rent a pickup by the hour from your local hardware or rental store if available. Hoisting a heavy engine into a hatchback might be more trouble than it's worth.
     
    #10 ammdb, Dec 15, 2021
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  11. eatdrumss

    eatdrumss Junior Member

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    #11 eatdrumss, Dec 15, 2021
  12. K smith

    K smith New Member

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    I had same issue with my 2010 prius shaking on start up so i replaced the head gasket, fixed the shake but now have what sounds like lifter tick that will not go away. anyone else have this issue and if so what could cause it?
     
    #12 K smith, Dec 27, 2021
  13. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Get a Liqui moly oil saver additive for $12 and you're set.
     
    #13 nicoj36, Dec 28, 2021
  14. privilege

    privilege Active Member

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    white steam (not smoke) is coolant, yes.

    white smoke (not steam) is oil.

    yes, if you have steam and dropping coolant levels it's a head gasket and/or broken head/block. most likely just the gasket
     
    #14 privilege, Dec 28, 2021
  15. OC63RAG

    OC63RAG Member

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    My Gen 2 had a sound that I thought (could have sworn) was a lifter/valve tick and it turned out to be a rod knock. I tried the additive route and that didn't "fix" it so I ended up replacing the engine with a low mileage engine out of a wrecked Prius.
     
    #15 OC63RAG, Dec 28, 2021
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