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2013 Prius Head Gasket Repair Shop In Minneapolis-St. Paul MN?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by pingd, Oct 10, 2022.

  1. pingd

    pingd Member

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    Anyone have any recommendations on a Prius head gasket replacement repair shop/person in the Twin Cities MN?
    Also, if you've heard of what the cost might be?
    Alternatively, if there is a shop that specializes in JDM/Gen 4 engine swaps, I would be interested in your suggestion too!

    2013 Prius Two blew it out at 199k.
    I could do it myself given sufficient time, but that just isn't possible for me at the moment.
    [I have cleaned out/replaced the EGR Circuit entirely.]
     
    #1 pingd, Oct 10, 2022
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    At what miles?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Oct 10, 2022
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  3. pingd

    pingd Member

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    At 150k miles and also now (199k miles) in preparation for a new head gasket.
    [I have a cleaned 2nd set: EGR cooler+EGR Tube+Intake Manifold+Throttle Body that I just swap out.]
     
    #3 pingd, Oct 10, 2022
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How'd it look at 150? You did the intake too?

    I appreciate this isn't getting you closer to a head gasket shop; I do hope you get this sorted. I just figure, for everyone in this dilemma, the more info shared, the more light will be shed on possible correlation between EGR clogging and head gasket failure.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Oct 10, 2022
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  5. pingd

    pingd Member

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    Completely clogged at 150k. No coolant loss whatsoever 150-199k. Then suddenly, misfire (#2 cylinder) and coolant loss.
    I'm hoping a "Prius specialized" repair shop can evaluate whether I also need a new cylinder head.
    [At 150k, I don't believe it overheated ... just refused to start one day ... completely cleaned EGR Circuit ... ran perfectly (after cleaning) 150-199k.]
     
    #5 pingd, Oct 10, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2022
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    does gasket masters travel there?
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 10, 2022
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  7. pingd

    pingd Member

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    Unfortunately for me, it appear that GasketMasters is only in California and Florida at the moment.

    [I'm just hoping that someone in Minnesota could shout out a recommendation due to a similar misfortune with a gen 3.]
     
    #7 pingd, Oct 10, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2022
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    So the egr cleaning at 150k did not prevent a hg at 200k. A common story.

    Occasionally gasketmasters goes on tour. Sort of a mechanic rock star group. A few weeks ago they took their truck all the way to the northeast and changed an engine with a rebuilt they brought for a priuschat member in Ohio. Given they were just out and back, they might not be doing another Ratchets & Wrenches Power Tour soon. Too many mechanic groupies I am sure.
     
    #8 rjparker, Oct 10, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2022
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A good rule-of-thumb might be to sync the EGR cleaning with engine coolant change: 100K miles or 10 years first time, then 50K miles thereafter.It's practical too, avoids coolant spillage*. Maybe do the plugs a bit early too, just for practicallity, having the wipers off.

    An even better rule-of-thumb might be every 50K, "maybe" overkill, but what do I know. I did ours at 70K kms, don't think it was a waste.

    * See first link in my signature, for how to avoid coolant spillage, if not syncing EGR clean with coolant change.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Oct 10, 2022
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  10. shmu

    shmu Junior Member

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    Try carspec. I know about it from this link: EGR circuit concerns from a Toy indy shop | PriusChat
     
    #10 shmu, Oct 13, 2022
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    #11 bisco, Oct 13, 2022
  12. pingd

    pingd Member

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    #12 pingd, Oct 13, 2022
  13. Moving Right Along

    Moving Right Along Senior Member

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    Just as a caution: last time I called Carspec, they said they were not taking new customers.
     
    #13 Moving Right Along, Oct 13, 2022
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    #14 Tideland Prius, Oct 14, 2022
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  15. pingd

    pingd Member

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    This advice still holds - just called and a very helpful person informed me - no new customers (unless you have a referral from an existing customer). Additionally, no other shops to recommend (except Toyota dealerships).
    Also, the tech/owner/John took the time to answer a few questions:
    - does not let the customer supply any parts
    - cost is $3k + tax
    - the only parts replaced are: new "Toyota EGR valve kit" and "Toyota head gasket kit"
    - includes cleaning of the rest of the EGR circuit (including intake manifold)
    - Toyota does NOT recommend to resurface the cylinder head - re-use existing or buy new or quality used
    - timing chain should be good
    - have OCCASIONALLY had to deal with a bad short block or bent rods (particularly if over heated)(mine did not)

    Anybody know which parts GasketMasters replaces?
    For example, the head bolts?

    I personally would also do things like: PCV valve, water pump, all fluids, oil pressure sender, MAF cleaning, etc
    (any other suggestions here)

    Thank you all!
     
    #15 pingd, Oct 17, 2022
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    In their cab in parking lot video, and a similar earlier video, they apparently just reuse the existing bolts. Don't check them against spec's either. Spec is in one of my links below, which has a bunch of cylinder head excerpts from Repair Manual.

    I wouldn't go nuts, for a couple of reasons:

    1. It's already a big job.
    2. The less extras you do, the less suspects, if something goes awry. Maybe the PCV valve though, because it's a pain to access without intake manifold off.

    One thing, Toyota makes a "kit" with the head gasket and pretty much every other gasket you'll encounter, plus the valve stem seals, if you're ambitious. It's around $200~250 USD? Part number for kit in attached.
     

    Attached Files:

    #16 Mendel Leisk, Oct 17, 2022
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