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Hello Everyone, I have a 2007 Prius with 278,000K. Looking for a good shop to diagnose problems.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Kendal, Jan 26, 2022.

  1. Kendal

    Kendal New Member

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    Hello Everyone, I have a 2007 Prius with 278,000 miles and for the most part have been happy with it. Lately the front panel has been going on and off, I get the dreaded "red triangle" from time to time, and the "check engine" light has been on regularly. The car has also started "shaking" from time to time, especially when going up a hill or accelerating. I've taken it to two separate shops, which have told me different things- the first told me the "coil" needed to be replaced, as well as the "hybrid battery computer", the price being about $2,500; getting a second opinion, another shop ran the codes and diagnosed it as "faulty transmission" (between the hybrid battery and the controls(?) ) and suggested I trade the car in.

    Any suggestions where I go from here? I realize 278K seems like a lot of miles, but I've heard of plenty of Prius owners getting well over 300K on their vehicles. Anyone have suggestions where I could get an accurate diagnosis in Maryland? I've been to the Toyota dealer in Laurel before, but know they are quite expensive, and any repairs are top dollar. A thorough web search pulled up a "family-owned" dealer in Millersville called EAS, but I'm slightly hesitant to try a shop I'm not familiar with. Anyone familiar with them?

    Any help here would be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if it were me, i would pay the $1-200. to a dealer to get the correct codes and post them here, if you're not comfortable with their repair recommendations.

    or better, if you paid for the previous diagnoses, ask for the codes and post them here.

    ultimately, while some prius go beyond 300k, many need expensive repairs along the way.
     
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  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    At 278k miles and 2 mechanics telling you it's something expensive. Going to the dealer won't yield any "less expensive" repair options, but you'll get a clearer idea of what's exactly wrong with the car
     
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Heck yea... I'd pay a dollar to get error codes for sure. You get that at the Dollar store? If so you gotta know that they just raised prices and it's a $1.25 now.
     
  5. Kendal

    Kendal New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. Sounds like getting the most accurate codes from the dealer is the way to go, even if it's more costly. Given that, I realize this may confirm that expensive repairs are needed, upon which I need to decide to keep the vehicle, or invest in a newer model, not an inexpensive option either.
     
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  6. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    Prius Speedometer Replacement

    There are DIY options as well, if you're into that, and it would be far less expensive.
    You might start by visiting ALL of the local auto parts stores (even within the same chain), and asking for a free OBD2 code scan.

    Once you have the codes (DTCs), post them here for additional guidance. Not all scanners are hybrid compatible, so be sure to try them all.

    FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
     
    #6 SFO, Jan 27, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2022
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  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yea if you want to needlessly throw huge amounts of money down the drain... We call them Toyota Stealerships for a reason.

    Or if you're like the rest of us you spend $30 one time on one of these: Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus and keep it in you glove box then whenever you have a problem instead of being stuck on the side of the road waiting to throw thousand away at the stealership again you plug the device in and open Dr. Prius app on your phone and read and clear the codes and drive home to get on PriusChat to figure out least expensive fix.
     
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  8. Kendal

    Kendal New Member

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    So, I went to the dealer for a diagnostic test- what a daunting experience! They came up with codes p0301 and p0302. They said cylinders 1 and 2 were "misfiring". They pulled these 2 spark plugs, found oil on them, then cleaned them and rotated the sparks to see if the problem was consistent. The other two plugs got oil when placed in cylinders 1 and 2. I asked what was wrong, where was the leak, could they write it down so I could look at options. They said they "needed more time ($) to diagnose and it would be 3 hours labor and when they found the problem we could talk about parts and labor (the service person said ballpark $1,000). At that point I just paid for my 1 hour of service and left.

    Anyone know what p0301 and p0302 codes are? Do I have an engine gasket leak? If it helps, my Prius has been using copious amount of oil, but I never see it under the car, thought maybe the engine was burning it up somewhere. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    So it seems you have a misfire code, on 2 different cylinders. The first mechanic you went to suggested coils, which can potentially cause a misfire. However coils normally fail 1 at a time, not 2 different coils fail at the same time. If this were my car, I would probably start by replacing the spark plugs and then the valve cover gasket. Maybe those 2 simple things will fix the car. Your main problem looks to be oil leaking from valve cover gasket, onto the plugs, causing the misfires. Coils will be the next step if things don't correct itself

    Not really sure why this 1st mechanic suggested a computer issue as well.

    2nd mechanic that said transmission problem, well don't go to that guy again.
     
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  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    What is current oil level? Do you have to add oil between oil changes? How many miles?
     
  11. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    The engine computer (ECM) controls operation of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). The ECM also monitors things that would cause tailpipe emissions to go higher than allowed. One thing that can cause high emissions is a misfire. That is anything that prevents normal combustion in any cylinder. (that's the "shake" you felt- when a cylinder doesn't fire properly then the ICE can't run smoothly).

    As a mechanic, if someone tells me that the "plugs were pulled and had oil on them" (cleaned them), and that replacement plugs got oil on them as well, then I assume that the oil was on the firing end in the combustion chamber. That is known as oil-fouling, and is (usually) caused by wear inside the engine. Most often it's the result of piston ring problems due to accumulated neglect and age (and some questionable engineering designs). Occasionally it's due to valve guide and/or seal wear.

    If that's the case here, there is no proven effective remedy short of major engine repair. There are chemicals that can be used to soak the pistons and rings- sometimes one of these reduce oil consumption, but if you are to the point of fouling the plugs, it's unlikely to help.

    Sometimes you can have the valve cover gasket leak oil into the spark plug wells onto the coils and outside (upper part) of the plugs. That can cause problems but I have seen quite a few cars where the coils were swimming in oil but ran fine.
    Also, if that's what's going on, the diagnosis and repair is very straightforward.

    So it sounds like you have oil-fouling, my condolences.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #11 mr_guy_mann, Jan 29, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2022
  12. Kendal

    Kendal New Member

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    My first mechanic, when he did a diagnostic scan, detected "coils" as one of the codes that came up, but he was the one who also found "hybrid battery computer" needed to be replaced, which none of the other mechanics found (his scanner has been known to have challenges). The car uses at least 1/2 quart of oil a month, and I drive about 15K miles a year, so I'm using at least one quart of oil every 2,000 miles, probably more.

    So, I'll start with the valve cover gasket, replace the plugs, and keep an eye on the coils. If the engine needs major work, any idea of the cost? Anything more than $3-4K I may pay serious thought to a newer Prius with low miles; I put over 5K into this car 3 years ago for a cat. converter, new hybrid battery, and full shocks replacement, not sure pouring more money into it is worth the cause.
     
  13. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Sounds like a plan. After the plan, start by fixing the speedo, as you don't want to get stuck in a situation.

    Given the mileage, you are due for many maintenance items, which don't even exist on the factory schedule

    Looking at injectors, fuel pump, catalytics, bearings/suspension, the list goes on.. best to prepare accordingly.
     
  14. Kendal

    Kendal New Member

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    What is a "speedo"?
     
  15. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Speedometer, which is also known as a "combination meter" around here : Prius Speedometer Replacement
     
  16. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    This hybrid battery shop will diagnose mechanical problems, they only do hybrid battery replacements but will do the mechanical diagnosis for free. They can probably suggest a mechanic for problems other than the HV battery. They can also do a mobile visit within Maryland/DMV/VA

    Doctor prius perform Services to Prius, Lexus hybrid, Camry hybrid

    "We do not perform the regular mechanics; we left belts, water pumps, transmission change, inner/outer rod end, etc. to your regular mechanics. We work on your hybrid system and electrical system. We diagnose and let your mechanics know what they need to do to fix it."