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Practical Short Term / Long Term Hints?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MrPete, Apr 24, 2022.

  1. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    So I have a very pragmatic situation: my sweetie is going on a girls' four day road trip this Thu (3 1/2 days from now) and clearly wants to drive the Prius, as long as it will be safe.

    What makes me a bit nervous: at 200k miles it's acting up a little in some familiar-sounding ways...
    • Over the winter we've had a few of the rough-start events. Turn off, turn on and all is well. Except once for my wife she said it took three tries.
    • One time only, I saw a cylinder 2 misfire code.
    • Definitely losing oil since 110k miles. We check on every fillup.
    I have NOT yet had opportunity to do the EGR cleanup.
    Just now I marked the coolant. It's below half in the container.

    One more tidbit: this video of a 10k mile / two year test of a HG "quick fix" is pretty amazing... and he uses a simple low cost (BT-500) tool to check for HG blow by.


    I don't have a lot of time or money. I'd love input / feedback...

    * Worth doing the BT500 test?
    * Ripping in to do leak-down test looks like it may take... several hours? Worth it to at least know if safe to drive a thousand miles?
    * As long as I do the leak-down, also do EGR/Cooler cleaning? Does that add a few more hours?

    OR... just don't worry about it for this trip, and get to it all pretty soon?

    Thoughts?

    THANKS!
     
    #1 MrPete, Apr 24, 2022
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    does anyone else have a car?
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 24, 2022
  3. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    Not really. She can use our Subie if necessary. Twice the gas cost ;)
     
    #3 MrPete, Apr 24, 2022
  4. Paul E. Highway

    Paul E. Highway Active Member

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    My $0.02:

    -have her take the Subie. Check tire pressures, fluids, drive belts, air filter, battery before they leave.
    -Prius might need head gasket and rings. You can diagnose while the girls trip is on.
    -No head gasket in a bottle.

    Cheers!
     
    #4 Paul E. Highway, Apr 25, 2022
    jerrymildred likes this.
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    This is what I'd do.
     
    #5 jerrymildred, Apr 25, 2022
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    You have a head gasket problem. 99%. Your sweety will be pretty sour when it strands her 100 miles from home. Rental cars are well over $100 a day and the wait for a tow truck will make her dial up the divorce lawyer. Your best bet is to have a rebuilt replacement engine installed. Not yours. New pistons, rings, machined head, decarboned, new gasket set.
     
    #6 rjparker, Apr 25, 2022
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    high gas prices

    road trips

    trying to save money

    pick two
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 25, 2022
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If paying twice for gas is the issue, imagine a breakdown on the road, it'll 10x the cost of gas and it'll ruin a good road trip!
     
    #8 JC91006, Apr 25, 2022
  9. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    Sounds like y'all are pretty sure it's way beyond the cold-start vibration that's been endlessly discussed....

    My other question is based on the linked video. Careful use of the correct HG sealant produced a working solution for over a year with no damage. I'm not at all sure this vehicle is worth the cost of "real" HG replacement let alone replacing the block or whatever is "really" needed...

    I know we in PriusChat prefer to Do The Job Right (almost no matter what the cost)... but sometimes it just isn't worth it.
    Has anyone collected experiences with "Head Seal Blown Gasket Repair" (the one on the right in the photo)?
     
    #9 MrPete, Apr 25, 2022
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Well as cars age, parts will need to be replaced to keep them running. These hybrids when they age, need batteries as well, at around $2000 for DIY solutions.

    So on top of the failing HG, you'll need to budget in money for the HV battery and the Brake Actuator/Accumulator failures. They won't be far behind and will cost upwards of $2000 in repairs each.

    On top of that you'll still have the usual suspects that fail over time, like suspension/rusting/electronics/paint issues.

    So my thought are always to get out early or don't get out at all once the money starts to get invested
     
    #10 JC91006, Apr 25, 2022
  11. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    Already took care of the HV battery ;)

    The failure that truly bugged me: almost $1k to replace the wire harness inside the steering wheel.
     
    #11 MrPete, Apr 25, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow, that's awful. i'm only a year behind you :eek:
     
    #12 bisco, Apr 25, 2022
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