2010 Prius Engine Shaking

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Av1dreader, Sep 27, 2020.

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  1. Av1dreader

    Av1dreader New Member

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    Hello,
    I have a 2010 Prius 5 trim that is giving me issues. It's got 250,000 miles now. I've read through a lot of the threads on this forum and can't figure out what actually pertains.
    I drove it across the country to move from Cali to Pennsylvania a couple months ago. It got across the country fine, no issues, was fine after the move for a while, then started shaking a little at startup. I thought it was my imagination, so I just was watchful while I was driving.
    Turns out it was shaking, and it's gradually gotten worse, until one night it felt like the engine was shaking apart when I started it, after a day of driving okay. After this, a P0304 code got thrown. I just changed the spark plugs, so I changed the ignition coils first. Didn't work, so I changed the spark plug in cylinder four. The plug was white at the end, so something wrong there. Didn't fix the shaking, so then I cleaned the EGR and intake manifold. After that it ran fine all day, then that evening shook upon startup.
    The shaking at startup varies in intensity and seems worse on colder starts. It's also started stuttering a little when driving, when I ease up on the gas after accelerating, or at around 60MPH. I thought it might be the head gasket, but I'm not getting any white smoke, I don't think there's any coolant in the oil, and if the coolant level is dropping, it's not by much.
    At this point I'm at a loss, since the car isn't throwing a code anymore. I'd like to fix it if it's not too expensive, or I'll trade it in and get something 2013 or newer as a last resort.
     
    #1 Av1dreader, Sep 27, 2020
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Did you clean the egr cooler? Or just the egr valve/pipe?
    Did you also clean out the holes for each intake port?

    How is the coolant level? Passenger side, engine compartment.
     
    #2 ASRDogman, Sep 27, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  3. Av1dreader

    Av1dreader New Member

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    The entirety of the EGR system was cleaned, I followed @NutzandBoltz videos. And the coolant level after is not noticeably reduced at the moment. Perhaps I need to do more driving, but I've done about 250 miles at this point. I have also put injection cleaner in the gas tank, so far only one tank.
     
    #3 Av1dreader, Sep 27, 2020
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Sunday driver DIY’r

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    Dollars for doughnuts it is the head gasket. Try a leak down test.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Sep 27, 2020
    tankyuong and Grit like this.
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Check your head gasket health.
     
    #5 Grit, Sep 27, 2020
  6. scona

    scona Active Member

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    With 250,000 miles on a 2010 model, it is well beyond its best before date. You can part company with it reasonably soon or be prepared to start a never-ending investment process that ends in parting company with it later. It got you across the country, time to start looking around for a replacement.
     
    #6 scona, Sep 28, 2020
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    NO reason to get rid of it just because of mileage.
    Even if you need a newer lower mileage engine, it's still cheaper to keep than a newer car.
    Unless you can get a super deal.
    And if you do the work yourself, it will cost thousands less.

    You should double check every connection to make sure something is not loose.
    Very possible the head gasket is starting to go. But still cost less to replace it yourself
    than a new car.
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Sep 28, 2020
  8. Av1dreader

    Av1dreader New Member

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    I appreciate everyone who commented, and based on them, I think I'm going to let this car go and get the one I've wanted the last few years, which is a Prius V. Seems like a good opportunity to do so
     
    #8 Av1dreader, Sep 28, 2020
  9. scona

    scona Active Member

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    I traded off a 2010 when it started acting up and bought a V. And don't regret it one bit. Once they get long in the tooth, at least the gen 3,
    it is inevitable that you are in for a lot of repairs, whether you do them or someone else does. The V still has the same engine but if you get a low mileage vehicle then you know there is a good chance that it will run for quite a while without major difficulty.
     
    #9 scona, Sep 29, 2020
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