No fuel after head gasket replacement

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jenkem_Enjoyer, Dec 12, 2025.

  1. Jenkem_Enjoyer

    Jenkem_Enjoyer New Member

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    As the title says, I just replaced the head gasket in my 2014 Prius V, with apx 275k. I've done several had gasket replacements, although this is my first on a prius. Everything went well (I thought) and seemed to go back together A-OK. Trying to start and I'm getting the following codes P300 (Multiple Cylinder Misfire) P301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire) P302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire) & P219A (Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance).

    I can hear the fuel pump running when I open the door or try to turn on the car. Suspecting that I was not getting fuel to the rail, I popped open the connector on the fuel line and it was bone dry; nothing coming out. I initiated the fuel pump (tapping brakes) and nothing came out.

    I've done a lot of digging online, and I'm not finding anything. Do you need to prime or flood the fuel rail? If so, how?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Jenkem_Enjoyer, Dec 12, 2025
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2025
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    That sounds like the brake booster.
    Cylinder one and two are “traditional” head gasket failure points. Maybe the head/block interface warped? With 275k miles, it could could have had head gasket failure for sometime; they can fail as early as 150k.

    EGR cleaned?

    the misfire codes need an extra zero btw: it’s P0301, for example.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Dec 13, 2025
  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    The filter sock on your fuel pump intake may be clogged; so you'll have to pull it to check. I would check the fuel pump fuse and relay first.
     
    #3 BiomedO1, Dec 13, 2025
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I don't think I have ever heard the fuel pump running on my v.

    First things first

    1. Do you get Ready when trying to start?

    2. Does the engine spin when pressing the gas in Ready?

    3. Do you know what the Brake Booster whine sounds like when opening the door after sitting overnight?

    4. If you get Ready and the engine seems to start on gas pedal, how long does it spin as the high voltage cranks it using a motor generator?

    5. Are you sure you opened up the fuel rail?

    Most problems starting after a head gasket job are mass flow sensor unplugged, pcv unplugged or other vacuum line disconnected.
     
    #4 rjparker, Dec 13, 2025
  5. Jenkem_Enjoyer

    Jenkem_Enjoyer New Member

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    1) the Ready light on the Ignition Button starts green then turns orange.

    2) The engine does not spin

    3) I realized, what i thought was the fuel pump, was the brake booster.

    4) Engine doesn't spin

    5) I'm 100% positive.

    Thanks


     
    #5 Jenkem_Enjoyer, Dec 15, 2025
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    I know (from personal experience :unsure:) a disconnected PCV hose at intake manifold will prevent engine start up. And that’s so easy to miss. There may be similar.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Dec 16, 2025
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The Ready light is on the dash and says "Ready". It's not the power button.

    No Ready - no engine spin - no start.

    I would check the brake pedal causes the brake lights to turn on and would check the 12v to ensure at least 12.0 volts.

    IMG_1013.jpeg IMG_1014.jpeg IMG_1015.jpeg
    IMG_1016.jpeg IMG_1017.jpeg

    If there was a momentary reverse polarity jump the engine fuse box's internal 125a fuse may be blown.
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 rjparker, Dec 16, 2025
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2025
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  8. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Did you remove the hybrid battery orange safety interlock plug when you replaced the head gasket?

    FYI, the fuel pump will not turn on until the car goes into Ready. So that is the reason why you do not have fuel to the engine.
     
    #8 Brian1954, Dec 16, 2025
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2025
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  9. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    That is some KEY information that you left out of the first post and will take troubleshooting in another direction!!!
     
    #9 BiomedO1, Dec 16, 2025
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  10. Jenkem_Enjoyer

    Jenkem_Enjoyer New Member

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    It's taken a bit for me to get back to this (Holidays) but here's where I'm at.

    I checked the PCV hose again, it's 100% attached. I checked every sensor and hose and see nothing detached. Everything seems to be as it was when originally disconnected. (There was a broken wire on the cam-shaft position sensor originally. But that got fixed early on and the associated code is gone.)

    I hadn't driven the prius for almost a month and had totally forgotten about the Ready light. I'm not getting the ready light when I begin start-up.

    I am getting 12 volts and have checked every fuse, all have continuity.

    I forgot the hybrid disconnect initially, but remembered and disconnected early on in the process of the head gasket change. Can't recall exactly when, however.

    I'm not 100% sure how I check for 120a on that 30a fuse.

    As you can probably tell, I'm not well versed in working on a hybrid. But I am appreciative of all the help and am actually enjoying trying to figure this out.

    Thanks again.
     
    #10 Jenkem_Enjoyer, Dec 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
  11. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Reconnecting the HV battery interlock is a two step process, connect, then slide the cover over.
     
    #11 Air_Boss, Dec 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
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  12. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    There are three steps to install the orange safely interlock plug.
    1. Insert the plug into the socket.
    2. Flip the lever of the plug.
    3. Slide the lever. This last step is something not completed.
    Here is a diagram from a Gen 2 Prius.
    View attachment 272365
     
    #12 Brian1954, Dec 24, 2025 at 9:12 AM
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Hindsight, but I wonder is hybrid disconnect needed, for head gasket replacement. I don’t think any of the high volt connectors need disconnection.
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Dec 24, 2025 at 11:25 AM
  14. Jenkem_Enjoyer

    Jenkem_Enjoyer New Member

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    I'm going to try this today. If it is really that simple, I'm going to kick myself and send you all very merry Christmas vibes. Lol!!!
     
    #14 Jenkem_Enjoyer, Dec 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
  15. Jenkem_Enjoyer

    Jenkem_Enjoyer New Member

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    Well, that was it. It's Christmas miracle!!! Haha! I feel like a real jack-nice person. Thank you all. I think I'll go hide my head in shame now...
     
    #15 Jenkem_Enjoyer, Dec 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM
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  16. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    You check for voltage to ground on that particular 30a fuse with the car off. If ~12v is there the 125a fuse is good.

    I spelled it out further here
    IMG_1123.jpeg
     
    #16 rjparker, Dec 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    What was "that"? The safety plug?
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Dec 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
  18. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Had to be the hv disconnect. Nothing else would fix it as quick and invite shame.
     
    #18 rjparker, Dec 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
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