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Second opinions wanted on recommended maintenance

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Nos402, Sep 25, 2024 at 3:55 PM.

  1. Nos402

    Nos402 Junior Member

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    Had a general checkup on my 2013 Prius and want some second opinions.

    There had been some little actuator like noises whenever I'm stopped and lightly pressing the brake pedal. They said that while there's no current actual codes or issues detected, they are certain it's the master cylinder ABS actuator on its way to failing. $1320 to replace. They also said both the engine and hybrid coolants were low and recommended a flush and refill of both systems at $140 and $175 for those. So right at $2K of recommended repairs.

    Opinions? Sound legit? it's a 2013 Prius that so far has been trouble free so I get that at this age it's not that suspicious to me.

    EDIT:
    Corrected my post as I used the term “flush” not them. Didn’t realize it was any different.
     
    #1 Nos402, Sep 25, 2024 at 3:55 PM
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2024 at 5:32 PM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The brake master cylinder and pump "may" be going out, may. You need a better diagnoises....
    If you are sitting at idle, how many seconds between each time the pump comes on?
    How do the brakes feel?

    If the engine coolant is low, it's likely a leaking head gasket. You should check all the hoses for
    leaks, just in case. Same with the inverter coolant. Just how "low" are they???

    There is NO "flush" for either. It's a drain and fill, period. You can do that yourself for the price of
    the coolant. When you fill the engine coolant, go, very, s l o w l y...... Fill only a cup or so at a time,
    and wait 10-15 second between each cup. It will take you longer to fill, but you won't have any issues
    witih air in the system. And make sure you fill to the "B" line. Then start the car and let the engine run
    until it shuts off. Add coolant if needed to between the full line and B line. The seem is the full line.
    Then drive the car around the block and make sure the engine runs. Turn the heater on and it should be
    getting hot. Then park it on level ground and check it in the morning.... Fill if needed.

    How many miles? Have you been changing the oil every 5000 miles or so?
     
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    You need to monitor how often that pump runs... Once it runs more often than every minute its time to replace... But that will take months or even years. So no worries for now.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?

    that's a terrific price on the actuator, i hope it isn't a mistake.

    fluid change prices are good too.

    without knowing how many miles and what services you've had, you may need other services. 11 years old, most things need doing.

    most importantly, egr circuit likely needs cleaning.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. Nos402

    Nos402 Junior Member

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    145,000 miles. I don't recall really needing anything else done but I try to stay on top of it. I've been having this shop just do a general diagnostic every 20K miles when I get my oil changed there as well.

     
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    These aren't keepers so don't get upside down in anything You will be straddled with horrid amounts of bills so there's always that pick a number that you think the car is worth and keep it to be in that range or less and a 2013 is not worth enough money to really be putting engine in that's going to cost you a pile of money for an engine that is not what you want to be keeping It's not the Toyota your father's used to maybe the one you're going to be used to. Not the car to learn on either but enjoy yourself please be careful I told you so will come very quickly
     
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Who is “they”? A dealer? A hybrid specific independent? A general shop?

    The first two may know hybrids well enough to bank on their advice; the third is usually rather iffy on these rather complex cars.
     
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  8. Nos402

    Nos402 Junior Member

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    An independent shop I’ve been going to for about 10 years because they know hybrids well.

     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you only change your oil every 20k?
     
  10. Nos402

    Nos402 Junior Member

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    No every 5K but I only get the diagnostic every 20K.
     
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  11. Nos402

    Nos402 Junior Member

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    Basically when I got my first Prius in 2005 and they were still pretty new tech I took it to the dealer every 5K and got whatever "maintenance package" they recommended for the mileage. I think there was like 3 tiers of maintenance at difference mileages. Eventually I decided I was likely wasting a TON of money and found a reliable local shop that that also seemed to have specialized hybrid knowledge. I asked them how I could stay on top of everything without pouring money into those dealer packages and they recommended the general diagnostic every 20K.
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it would be a good idea to follow toyotas maintenance schedule, and add the egr before the head gasket blows.
    if they specialize in hybrids, they should be well aware of the gen 3 problem.
     
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  13. Nos402

    Nos402 Junior Member

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    I guess my biggest question is whether I go ahead with with the master cylinder replacement now even though there's no codes or anything just based on them "believing it's failing"?
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    EGR without a doubt needs cleaning. See first two links in my signature (on a phone turn it landscape to see signatures).

    unfortunately, it could use it every 50k, to avoid head gasket failure. You’re just getting into that zone.
     
  15. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

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    Did you tell them about the actuator noises before they diagnosed it?

    From my experience the pump runs pretty much every time or every other time I use the brakes. I think the real test is whether it runs when you're not using the brakes. A simple test is to open the drivers door in the morning which will run the pump, then just close the door, wait 10-20 minutes and open the door again. Does the pump run again? If not, I'd be skeptical that it's leaking, but take everything I say with a grain of salt (ideally you could compare it with a known good car).

    That being said, those prices seem super fair to me. $140 is a little much for inverter coolant, but not overtly so.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I don't think that's exactly the word you wanted, probably meant "overly so". Nonetheless, "overtly" does seem appropriate, meaning not so insanely overcharging as to get your fur up. Just at the sweet spot, lol. :)
     
  17. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    What are you getting for that price? A used actuator or new? Labor and setup extra? Seems like a used price.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    tough call on the actuator. normally, you'd wait for a trouble code, which could be a long way off.
    otoh, if they will put in a new one for that price guaranteed (you'd want to see it in the box, oem only)
    it might be worth doing now. most places get $2,500. and up for the job, since the part is very expensive.
     
  19. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I think I'd wait for a more acute failure.

    Toyota built a ton of safety into that system, so it's not like the next step is "Wheeee no brakes!" or anything like that.

    You'd hear the pump more and more, and eventually the computer will declare that it is running too often and raise a fault code.
     
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