DIY Head Gasket complete! Now error codes...

I’m here! Yes. 36 ft lbs , then 90, then 45. Inside to outside following x pattern.

this time around I increased to 40ftlbs, then 90, then 45. New new head gasket. Used Cooper spray. Three coats each side.

 

Great point RJ. Without the immediate resources to have a shop, checked over and not necessarily certain how much it cost or where to even resource a new head I’m going for it with the second attempt on the existing head as well as trying to crank it down a little harder with utilizing that copper spray worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t work again, and then I will consider the cost of replacing the head altogether at some point I should probably think about when I should cut sling load on this mission because the money is starting to add up. However, it has been fun for a mirror, mechanic peasant like myself to actually appreciate how neat these internal combustion engines are and what a miracle it is, that they actually work.

 

Last off for now, is that I have reassembled the the engine sandwich, so to speak with the new gasket and the head and the cam tray. Over the next two days, I will reassemble all of the remaining odds and ends, and ensure that the connectors all find their mate, and I will go for a launch unfortunately, work will take me away from home for a bit, namely, one month but I Gotta know if I hit pay dirt before I leave and report back to you guys who have help me out along the way

 

@Mendel Leisk @rjparker

Success! My engine hums like new. Thank you for the help and guidance along the way.

now just have to sort out a new code… P0AA6. Probably nothing, right!?

unfortunately, I will be out of town for one month for work so I will have to address it when I get back. Before I’m leaving, I’m putting both the 12 V and the traction battery on the battery tenders and maintainers. It looks like that this code can only really be deciphered when you get a subcode to analyze what’s really going on and I’m not sure if my Bluetooth reader can get those more specific codes. Anyways, if you guys have any ideas of where I should start down this rabbit hole for this code? Please let me know!

 

Next to the 400$ in my wallet lol. Went with MaxxVolts

 

Ive been back from my trip for about a month now and have been driving the Prius nonstop. Runs great. Mileage is where i left it about 38MPG. No oil leaks. Leaks were not a problem before however with all of the removing of parts and requirements to silicone up contact surfaces... I was worried. I performed two 300 mile journeys... twice... no engine issues.

Except one issue.

P0441 - EVAP system incorrect flow detected. Elaborating for the uninitiated, the code refers to a ventilation of the fuel. Often loose gas cap is the issue... or faulty one. In my case given the head gasket work ive done, i suspect something isnt buttoned up well. Plan is to remove Air intake and check hoses and clamps.

Other forums indicated that the purge valve may need to be replaced. I should hope thats the case for the simplicity of it.


Anyways. Thank you everyone for your input, support, and knowledge. @ChapmanF @Mendel Leisk @rjparker @ASRDogman @mr_guy_mann @Tombukt2 @MikeDee @PriusCamper .

It took two tries for this non-mechanic to do a head gasket correctly but the second attempt has been a charm. Shops were quoting me $6k-8.5k to complete the job. The cost to me without use of the car (rentals), an overpriced mobile mechanic ($1k) to clean my egr (and other stuff) for me, parts, tools, etc was close to $3k. The second attempt was a bit more careful to make sure timing was correct, I used permatex copper spray on (all) gaskets, used new headbolts, and cranked them 10% above spec. Feel free to reach out if you find this thread and need some tips on your own head gasket job.

 

Really good points all around.

Another symptom that did not present so obviously is the telltale “milkshake” oil. When I would ask other people, if they thought my car was having a head gaske issue they would ask if white smoke is coming out of the tailpipe and if my oil look like a milkshake. Neither of these symptoms presented. Regardless, I could not ignore the stuttering that occurred from a full stop when I was driving the car, I knew on my first attempt of changing the head gasket that it was a catastrophic fail, because when I drop the oil, I suddenly knew exactly what they were talking about regarding the milkshake consistency.

I noticed Gen III forum doesn’t have official of “pinned”, “mileage club” forums. I have only found one or two people like me with 300k + Gen 3s. Anyone know who the moderator is to appeal to for having such forums created and pinned to the top of Gen3 Main Forum?