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Blown Head Gasket

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by JVS, Jul 14, 2022.

  1. JVS

    JVS New Member

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    need a little help...
    Does anyone have experience with replacing an engine with blown head gasket, with a used engine?
    A little background ... we bought a 2012 Prius about a month ago, 186k miles on it, for $4k.
    The head gasket blew just a few weeks later.
    My mechnaic is quoting between $7000 to $8000 to repair the engine, and he recommended against getting a used engine. He said replacing the engine will cost even more.
    But another mechanic says dont bother with repairs, just drop in a used engine.
    Does anyone have a recommendation or experience with replacing the engine?
    Any help is greatly appreciated ..

    James
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think a used JDM engine will be best. You already have 186k miles on your engine.

    I have a mechanic I regularly use in Rosemead that will be much better price than $7000 - $8000. I'm guessing it should be less than $4000 for a used JDM engine installed
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and get a gen 4 engine if you can, no sense in putting another oil burner in
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Or the gasket sealer the seller dumped in gave way...

    If it's JUST head gasket failure so far, DIY head gasket replacement would be cheapest. The simplest shopping list for parts required would be Toyota's gasket kit (includes head gasket, and pretty much everything else in the engine), which is around $250, and (to play it safe) new head bolts, maybe around $100. Part no's for both items in the attachment.

    Take a look at the head gasket links in my signature.

    Also, clean the EGR system thoroughly (including EGR passages in intake manifold), or you'll be having another head gasket failure in short order.

    This video will give you an idea what's involved:

     

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    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jul 15, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2022
  5. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    i would get a used engine
     
  6. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Take a trip to Buena Park and visit Hybrid Pit Stop.

    Tell them Azusa sent you.

    You can call or check out the engines on their website hybridpit.com

    You can also use the code azusa to save!
     
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  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    This is your best bet. Used gen3 engines are a big risk for repeating your problem in the next month or year. Fix it or get a rebuilt.
     
  8. nate358

    nate358 Junior Member

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    I don't have any experience with putting in a used Gen 4 engine, but after trying to go the cheapest route replacing the head gasket myself... There are so many special tools you need... My valves needed lapped... There are just so many things that can go wrong once you open up the engine... It's not just the parts cost... It's the time cost. I'm 4 months in on this car and yeah I replaced all the suspension, brakes, rotors, wheel bearings, cv axles, but I did all this engine work and I still don't know if I'm putting it back together correctly and that's with me following the Toyota manual and a ton of YouTube videos. If I could do it all over again, I would first of all made sure my head gasket wasn't blown before doing all the other stuff and I would have just put a used Gen 4 engine in and called it a day. All you CA folk are lucky with all the specialty hybrid shops you have. I use my car for work and basically haven't been able to work the past 4 months... So yeah do the quickest way possible because time is money even if you're the one doing the work. If my engine does work after I get it back together... I'll be sourcing a Gen 4 for sure.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  9. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    I'm having a rebuilt engine installed at Hybrid Pit next week for half the cost of what your mechanic is quoting you for a "repair". Based on what I've read about what happens when an engine blows its head gasket, I think it's the best option.
     
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  10. nate358

    nate358 Junior Member

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    I looked at Hybrid Pit online store and noticed that they doesn't ship their rebuilt engines... That's a darn shame.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  11. JVS

    JVS New Member

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    Thank you JC.
    To add to my confusion, another mechanic tested the car and he says there is nothing wrong with it. I will look into JDM idea just in case.
     
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  12. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    Hey James, if you're ever looking for a trustworthy mechanic in LA I recommend Olive Auto in Burbank. I've been going to them for years for regular maintenance with different cars. They really took care of me.
     
  13. OptimusPriustus

    OptimusPriustus Active Member

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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ Bookmarked. (y)
     
  15. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    So they inspect the rods twice? Or just sloppy editing?
     
  16. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Nate do you have any update for us
     
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