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2004 Toyota Prius' 4th piston cylinder is shorter.

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by StephanieCS, Oct 3, 2015.

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  1. StephanieCS

    StephanieCS New Member

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    Hi I'm new to prius' and when I brought it from someone they had told me it was only the head gasket. When my dad was taking the engine apart it looked fine but once he started moving the piston cylinder the 4th from the left was shorter than the other ones. Is this normal? Will it cause a problem in the future if not fixed? IMG_0139.JPG IMG_0140.JPG IMG_0139.JPG IMG_0140.JPG
     
    #1 StephanieCS, Oct 3, 2015
  2. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Looks like you have a bent connecting rod in cyl #4. And yes, that's a problem. It means that hydro lock occurred in cyl #4 when the head gasket failed (too much coolant entered the cylinder). Time to replace the #4 connecting rod and maybe other parts. Sorry for your loss.
     
    #2 jadziasman, Oct 3, 2015
    Lucifer and StephanieCS like this.
  3. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Read up on "Atkinson Cycle" - what you're seeing might be related to that… (…that is if you are quite certain that it isn't hydraulic lock - have you taken your Prius swimming recently?)
     
    #3 WilDavis, Oct 3, 2015
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The Atkinson effect in a Prius engine is achieved with intake valve timing. No funny business with connecting rods. Pistons 1 and 4 ought to be at the same height there....

    -Chap
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Oct 3, 2015
    CR94 and jadziasman like this.
  5. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    OK, I didn't realise that - I looked at the animation and was amazed! (…still am!) …thanks for the edification! ;)
     
    #5 WilDavis, Oct 3, 2015
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