2010 Prius: Headgasket issue - should I fix it or get engine replaced

The cooler is in the mid 200's new, through online Toyota retailers, but salvaged can be picked up on EBay for around $50.

The latter will likely need cleaning, but (per @Raytheeagle 's modus operandi) you can take your time, do the cleaning in advance.

I might do this at 10 year mark, together with engine coolant and spark plug change. And I'd just clean the original cooler, expect to idle the car or two.

 

You guys do know Brake Kleen in just aerosolized Acetone right? Just keep it away from connectors/plastics/wires when used.

 

Was @NutzAboutBolts using it on the plastic intake manifold?

Tetrachlorethylene?

https://www.wsc.edu/download/downloads/id/48/brakleenpdf

I heard Purple Power is quite effective too. It has lye maybe?

 

Well aware (I'm familiar with reading labels as a chemical engineer).

I place the cooler upright with the valve attached and allow it to soak for a period of time.

Since the cooler is outside of the engine bay, I am not concerned.

Brake Kleen is about $4 at Walmart and readily available. Cheap way to get the metallic cooler cleaned.

 

Ok this one says 80-90% acetone.

http://docs.crcindustries.com/msds/5151.pdf

Still, seemed to not have deleterious effects on @NutzAboutBolts intake manifold. What's it's material, "resin"?

Front caliper piston is resin too, and there's rubber boots.

 

Thanks. To correct myself, the green can #05151 that most people buy/see cheap at the parts store is Acetone. Use on metal only. Rubbers and plastics...soapy water is my weapon of choice.

 

The best way to clean the intake manifold is through abrasive means. I use brushes in the ports and main inlet then flush out.

I choose to not reuse gaskets but buy gaskets each time. Just in case they have taken a set or some solvent comes in contact where it can harden or embrittle them.

Good suggestion .

 

I think the intake manifold is a composite material, I wouldn't use brake clean on seals and rubber plastic pieces, it'll cause the rubber to swell up.

 

There are so many different plastic resins your head would spin, not counting combinations. Likewise for elastomers/"rubber". With very different chemical compatibility charts.

The caliper pistons are a phenolic resin. Don't know about the manifold. But many parts now do have some standardized initials molded into them somewhere, identifying the resin(s), so they can be properly sorted one day for recycling.

-Chap

 

I have a coolant leak into cyl 1. No milk in oil, no oil in coolant. I used a coolant pressure test kit, removed intake manifold and separated that from egr. Coolant flowed up sp plug well #1 only. I am ordering a head gasket set and spring compressor tool to change guide seals.

Any tips tricks or advice as I go?

 

Who did the engine swap in Sacramento? How has it worked out so far? I live in Stockton.

Who performed your engine swap in Sac? I live in Stockton?
Thanks,

 

How’s the swapped engine working out?

 

How much $?

 

I know this is an older post. Hopefully no one is using tetrachloroethene aka perc aka PCE aka dry cleaning solvent. Most brake cleaners state they are not chlorinated nowadays. PCE is highly likely to cause cancer and is an environmental nightmare. Specific gravity >1 it goes through concrete, asphalt, soil and travels rapidly in groundwater. Basically if you have a well and you spill PCE, you will be drinking it before too long.

I thought automotive degreasing was mostly done with trichloroethene/TCE, but it's slmost the same thing. I assumed after 1986 the only way to get such chemicals was if you were a RCRA permitted facility. That SDS you posted has me wondering now

 

How was the engine swap? Might have him do just the head gasket for 2k. Had the diagnostic done in sf and got a quote for 7k and 5k for an engine swap.

 

Some questions:

• Where in San Francisco did you get the quote?
• How many miles on your Prius?
• Does it burn oil?
• Has the egr circuit been cleaned?

Keep us posted .

 

Started about a week ago after getting gas when the ice kicked it started misfiring. Thought I had bad gas or water. Pulled the code P0302 for the #2 cylinder and notice the coolant 1/3 inside the coolant tank. Also checked out my 12v and it’s low in voltage. Picked up a gallon of coolant and 12 v at the stealership took advantage of their coupons way cheaper than the auto stores.

Got about 180k on the car. Haven’t notice the burning oil but almost due for the next oil change and the level is slightly below the max line. Never had any issues with car and never saw the issues with the tb and egr need to be cleaned until now seems a preventative for head gasket problem.

Diagnose from LG in SF and those what they quoted me with a new lower short block from Toyota and the top from the original engine. Art’s in Berkeley quoted 3.6k for just the gasket replacement.
Keep you posted

 

One place some locals here have gone is up to Sac to Maxat and have gotten an engine swap done for ~$3k.

If just the head gasket and no oil burn, you can do the head gasket in the car.

One local who lives out by the SF Zoo (@leeb18c ) did a head gasket on his 2010 while it was still in the car and did not require removing the block.

Good luck with your next steps and keep us posted .