2010 Prius with bad head gasket in Kansas City

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by gaffa, Sep 19, 2019.

  1. gaffa

    gaffa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2019
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    Location:
    Kansas City, MO
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm not actually the owner (I don't drive in fact) but my brother, who actually owns the car in the subject line, is nowhere near as computer literate as myself. So I've been assigned the job.

    His 2010 Prius apparently has a bad head gasket. A spark plug was removed and a camera was inserted into the 1st cylinder and water & antifreeze was discovered in there.

    Neither of us are mechanics, but "blown head gasket" really doesn't seem like a thing that should cause a car to be scrapped. It's something that has happened to internal combustion engines since they were invented.

    We're in the Kansas City, Missouri area, and need help finding a good, skilled and reasonably priced mechanic to replace the head gasket and rebuild the head.

    All suggestions welcomed. Thank you.

    P.S. I should mention that I discovered this Forum when I searched for his description of his other Prius "making a noise like there is loose change in the engine" and found someone here suggesting that it was a bad bearing in the water pump. He was armed with that information and sure enough, it was a bad water pump bearing.
     
    #1 gaffa, Sep 19, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    114,532
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    how many miles on her?

    replacing the head gasket vs replacing the engine can be iffy. there are some very good threads here on both sides of the equation, worth reading.

    also, you'll need to clean the ear circuit to help prevent it from happening again, and maybe add an oil catch can.
    see nutzaboutbolts youtube channel

    all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 20, 2019
    Mendel Leisk and gaffa like this.
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Did it overheat and lose a lot of coolant?

    What is total mileage, the rate of engine oil burning, how long was it run with hg symptoms and was sealant used?

    Has the brake booster and hybrid battery been replaced and is the vehicle in good shape otherwise?

    Trying to determine if a "simple" head gasket replacement will be enough depends on how much engine damage may have occurred.

    Most of which can only be positively determined after significant work including removing the wiper assembly, water pump, timing chain, valve cover, cam carrier, head and numerous connectors and other parts.

    At that point the head and block can be checked for warpage and the connecting rods checked for bends.

    Most shops will charge $2200 or more. Dealers and most pro shops will recommend a rebuilt engine over a hg job they can't guarantee for a year.

    Some low mile (less than 150k) gen3 engines which were not driven after initial symptoms occurred do reasonably well with a hg job especially if its a rare example not burning much oil.
     
    #3 rjparker, Feb 27, 2026 at 7:15 PM
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