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255k High Mileage Prius c... status

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by JaxPriusC, Apr 11, 2022.

  1. JaxPriusC

    JaxPriusC New Member

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    Hey just wanted to stop in and share my experiences.

    Have used the pc forum many times.

    So I have a 12 Prius C with 255k+ miles.

    At 149.5k (I kid you not) the hybrid battery died and Toyota gave me a new one, barely within the 150k warranty period.

    It burns out lots of bulbs, seems like frequently.

    The left rear tail light fills with water so I drilled a hole (hidden) in the bottom so it can drain

    Still gets 50+ mpg

    Typical Toyota paint starting to look shoddy.

    Slight shake/vibration at low speeds like in parking lot. Don't know what that is.

    Could use a new front Control arm, the old one clunks now and then

    Have tried tons of tires, Pirelli, Continental, Goodyear, etc...

    The OEM Fuel Assurance Max are the best.

    The TPS warning light is on constantly and I don't want to pay for new sensors, checked pressure and all are good

    The rubber strips on the roof come loose and flop around at the car wash

    The air intake snorkel rattles, annoying

    But all in all, typical Toyota quality and I hope to see 300k

    Still on OEM brake pads.

    10k oil changes
    Spark plugs twice
    Coolant flush twice
    Air filters
    Monthly Royal Purple fuel treatment
     
    #1 JaxPriusC, Apr 11, 2022
    Prius C Til it Dies, Pri3C, Adventurer2112 and 1 other person like this.
  2. JaxPriusC

    JaxPriusC New Member

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    oh and a new 12v battery a couple years ago and trans fluid
     
    #2 JaxPriusC, Apr 11, 2022
  3. Sonic_TH

    Sonic_TH Active Member

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    Have you changed the transaxle fluid?
     
    #3 Sonic_TH, Apr 15, 2022
  4. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    Great. Have you ever cleaned the EGR system and the intake manifold, replaced the PCV? Does it burn oil?

    BTW, is the battery warranty 10 yrs / 150k miles? I thought it is only for Prius in CARB states, not for Prius C.
     
    #4 PriusII&C, Apr 16, 2022
  5. JaxPriusC

    JaxPriusC New Member

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    Well they covered it for me... and said it's 150k in California.

    Nope on the EGR or intake cleaning and no oil burning.
     
    #5 JaxPriusC, May 16, 2022
  6. JaxPriusC

    JaxPriusC New Member

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    just once
     
    #6 JaxPriusC, May 16, 2022
    Sonic_TH likes this.
  7. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    Amazing they offered that warranty, wow!

    prius C has always been known (or termed and mentioned) to be 8 year/100k
     
    #7 dig4dirt, May 17, 2022
  8. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    For your "shake/vibration at low speeds", you may want to clean the EGR & intake manifold, and see how the car behaves.
     
    #8 PriusII&C, May 18, 2022
  9. JaxPriusC

    JaxPriusC New Member

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    Ok here we go...

    262k miles... overheating and dropping coolant levels... diagnosed as bad head gasket. Mechanic said bore scope shows scoring in cylinder walls... thus don't recommend a head gasket repair, but rather an engine replacement.

    So my question for you all...

    I've seen Prius C engine under 50k miles... all over eBay, etc...for $500-800

    How much will a SoCal mechanic charge for the labor to swap engines? Any SoCal shop recomendations?
     
    #9 JaxPriusC, Jul 24, 2022
  10. Sonic_TH

    Sonic_TH Active Member

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    Most likely the thermostat got stuck closed, which caused the water pump to overheat and fail, and thus causing the engine to overheat.
     
    #10 Sonic_TH, Jul 26, 2022
  11. Prius C Til it Dies

    Prius C Til it Dies New Member

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    Model:
    III

    OEM 12V BATTERY STILL IN PLACE
    SOLID VEHICLE, NO PROBLEMS AT ALL
     
    #11 Prius C Til it Dies, Aug 14, 2022
  12. Sonic_TH

    Sonic_TH Active Member

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    Any updates?
     
    #12 Sonic_TH, Jun 4, 2023
  13. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Hybridpit in Buena Park if you want to keep the car. Where you are now is at the cross road of "do I invest in this car and keep it or do I buy a used/new car? Up to you.
     
    #13 Montgomery, Jun 4, 2023
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