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Tip of fuel injectors missing. Confused

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by An2TheTwan, Mar 21, 2023.

  1. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    Previous thread discussion: P0032 - 2011 Prius | PriusChat

    Basically I was getting two O2 sensor codes P0032/P0038 - fuel running rich, detected in both O2 sensors.

    -I felt the problem may have been due to a bad fuel injector(s). When I reassembled my Prius after replacing the head gasket, 3 of the 4 fuel injectors were missing the black tip on the head (#1,#2,#3).

    -Yesterday, I replaced the fuel injectors with OEM direct replacements. It made the problem worse/car undrivable. I took out the new fuel injectors and they are also missing the black head on the tip (#1,#2,#3)

    ***-Could this be a bad fuel pump?*** The last month or so I have been hearing weird intermittent noise from what I feel is the back of my car.




    upload_2023-3-21_20-18-47.png
    *There are more details I have yet to include regarding this issue that I am not including at this time for the sake of simplicity.
     
    #1 An2TheTwan, Mar 21, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2023
  2. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Have you measured fuel pressure?

    moto g power ?
     
  3. Mr. F

    Mr. F Active Member

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    The description of the code(s) is not quite accurate. Neither code actually refers the mixture being rich, although the underlying problems can result in that condition.

    Both the sensors work more efficiently when hot, so both have integrated heating elements that are supplied with a controlled amount of current to regulate their temperatures.

    P0032 is saying that the heating element on the A/F sensor is being sent a current that is beyond the expected range.
    P0038 is saying that the heating element on the O2 sensor is being sent a current that is beyond the expected range.

    When either of these codes are set, the ECM shuts off current to the respective heaters to avoid destroying them, and since the sensors are no longer being heated, the values they report are no longer accurate. This can result in a much richer or leaner mixture than required, leading to a rough ride. Note that the fuel pump or the injectors are not at fault here—the data telling them how much fuel to supply to the ICE just isn't that reliable anymore.
     
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  4. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    As always Mr. F, thanks for your insight.

    -Right after I fixed my head gasket (November 2022), I started getting these codes.

    -I live in a cold climate and would warm my car up in the morning. If I let it run too long, I would get the "Check Hybrid System" warning and my car would go into limp mode. If I let it sit for about an hour, I could drive it normally again.

    -About January 2023, I would be driving and my check hybrid system light would come on and my car would lose power. I would feel engine misfires and get corresponding codes as well. This happened sparingly at first but then became a weekly/daily occurrence.

    -Here's the strangest part in my opinion. If I would put about 1/4 bottle of Gumout cleaner in my fuel tank, this seemed to fix all the issues. All check engine lets would clear, car felt more powerful, no more misfires. But if there was no Gumout cleaner in the tank, the issues would start up all over again.

    -Also within the last few weeks, on morning warm ups, I was seeing heavy white smoke coming from exhaust. No significant coolant loss and the smoke would go away once driving.

    -I removed the old fuel injectors and replaced them with the new ones. Car is now shaking at low speeds/idle. Getting misfires in Cylinder 2/4. I put the old fuel injectors back in and same thing. I feel I may have blown another head gasket and/or didn't fix it properly the first time.
     
  5. Mr. F

    Mr. F Active Member

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    Since the "Check hybrid system" message has appeared, it might be a good idea to scan for codes using Techstream. Whatever scanner turned up P0032/P0038 obviously didn't catch the hybrid system codes.

    The good news is that these two codes have nothing to do with the hybrid system, so these issues can be fixed independently of the others. Not sure what the Gumout is doing. Best bet is to not ignore codes and fix the underlying issues in a systematic approach.
     
  6. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    Thanks again.

    At this point I am past dumping money into it and hoping and praying. I am still an amateur mechanic and heavily leaning towards buying a different car. It's a sad day but my 2011 treated me well.

    I don't think I will get much as a trade in and my parents are cool keeping it at their house for a while. So I may tinker with it here and there.
     
    #6 An2TheTwan, Mar 22, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2023
  7. Mr. F

    Mr. F Active Member

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    I certainly don't want to give the impression that diagnosing the problem(s) will turn the car into a money pit.

    Going about it the right way (as the repair manual describes) will help you figure out precisely which part is malfunctioning so you only spend money on parts that are absolutely needed. If the root cause is just a wiring issue, it can help you figure that out as well. The manual will not tell you to swap any part out just to check if it was malfunctioning.

    I do understand that this doesn't help if one needs a vehicle immediately, or cannot afford to spend more time on repairs. A new vehicle may be the right choice in those cases.
     
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  8. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    Mr. F you are awesome and very knowledgeable. I get excited when I see you reply lol.. I probably sound like a whiny little b*tch. Need to vent a bit, nothing directed at you.

    Based on the heavy white smoke from exhaust the last few weeks and now I am getting shaking/misfires at start, I believe I have another blown head gasket. I have the knowledge and the tools, I will only need to buy a head gasket kit. Also will pay for the head to be machined instead of doing the cheap mans sandpaper method. I feel that there is still life in it but that remains to be seen. I have nephews and nieces that are in college and it would be a nice backup card to have at my disposal. Also have always wanted to sign up a car for Turo rental share and this car is the perfect candidate.

    Specifically, what do you make of the black tips of my fuel injectors breaking off? All but injectors #4,on both the old set and the new set.
     
  9. Mr. F

    Mr. F Active Member

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    I haven't taken the injectors off often enough to be able to figure that out. However, I will be taking apart another Gen 3 next month, so I'll try to check that area and report if I find any possible culprits.
     
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