Head gasket leaking - no other symptoms- fix?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Felly, Apr 24, 2026 at 10:40 PM.

  1. Felly

    Felly New Member

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    I've got a 2012 prius C; 135k miles. Never had a problem. Took in for an oil change years ago and the dealership reported a head gasket leak. I was shocked and didn't believe them. Took it to another shop, who quickly told me my head gaskets were fine. Well, years later, coolant is crusting around the perimeter, so I guess the dealership was correct all along ($4,500 est to replace head gasket). Still not showing symptoms. Is it worth getting the wheel speed sensor replaced (dealer quoted $1,800; intermittent loss of signal to RF sensor; CODES C1235 FOREIGN OBJECT ATTACHED ON TIP OF FRONT SPEED SENSOR RH & C1464 FOR FRONT SPEED SENSOR RH CIRCUIT) and driving it until the engine dies. Seems a better idea to replace the engine vs repair head gasket. Or should I just get something else?
     

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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you losing any coolant or oil?

    anyone can do the speed sensor, are you having issues or trouble lights?
     
  3. Felly

    Felly New Member

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    These lights come on intermittently. And the braking feels stiff when they come on, but back to normal when the lights go off. Also the traction control light goes crazy, flickering and the wheels stop at different speeds when it's the sensor isn't working correctly, so my wheels serve while stopping unequally.
     

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  4. Felly

    Felly New Member

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    Slow loss of coolant
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    What am I looking at in the picture; are the pink crusties at the split-line between the head and block? Is that the exhaust manifold above, or?
     
  6. Felly

    Felly New Member

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    I think it's crusted along the split-line. I don't know anything about cars really. Wish I did. I am a DIYer on home stuff...
     

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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so, you definitely want to replace the speed sensor. if it's losing coolant, you will have to do the head gasket.
    can you give us an idea of how much and how often you're topping it up?