$3,000 Head gasket repair? 2013 Prius

For $3000, I would shop for a newer engine. No need to fix something for $3000 when you can put in a lower mileage engine for the same price

 

definitely shop around. how many miles on her?

you would also need to clean the egr circuit, another grand unless you diy

 

if you can do it, do it, before the head gasket blows. see @NutzAboutBolts youtube channel

 

I can understand your situation. The above suggestions seems relevant and good for you. I'm kind of concerned about the mechanic you had to push for an estimate. Just leaves room to wonder what kind of job he would do.

 

I would suggest to consider replacing engine water pump with head gasket replacement, since your Prius has 210K on the clock to prevent another head gasket failure in the future...

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Neither did anyone else, until long after we bought these cars.

 

Swapping in a Gen4 motor is the best option.

 

Agreed. You could get a low mileage gen4 engine with an almost new water pump and head gasket installed for that price. They also have improvements to the engine block and piston rings.

But I would still clean the EGR system. Either clean and install the EGR system yourself or spend another grand on new parts and installation.

 

All the above is good advice, 18 hours of labor is not out of line for what it might really take. If you do take it on yourself, the Nutzaboutbolts youtube videos are a good place to start. The video I used was about 30 minutes long, but it was like "remove this, this and this" then it would cut to that work being done, and continue like that. I have looked for but cannot find that same video. If you DIY it would be a long weekend, or more likely, a full day, then some time to get the head milled and the valves checked, and then a long day putting it all back together.

 

Since you already traded the husband in, let the blown gasket car be a bonus trade in value.

 

They have kiddos....so keeping the G3 on the road might not be optional...and besides, the OP seems to be.....shall we say....."unlucky" in picking out used cars.

SO....
We have a 2013 G3-two, in Aridzona (non-CARB state) marginally maintained, and with.....probably 150,000 miles on the clock more or less.
Aridzona is a good climate to own a car in, but the heat can be kinda tough on the traction battery - so beware of this and start planning on learning how to swap this piece out.

Me?
There's no way in heck I would repair this motor.
Go with the heart transplant.

I'd source a new motor AND a new mechanic, since whoever your present wrench is should have pointed this out as a less expensive alternative, and probably should have ALSO pointed out that NORMALLY head gaskets do not fail in Priuses for the same reason that.....say....timing chain cover gaskets do.

Head gasket failures in Priuses are kinda like political division in America.
It's mostly not THE problem...it's mostly a SYMPTOM of the problem.

So...if you decide to rehabilitate this car instead of dumping it (I'll leave the obvious marital tie-in mostly un referred to ) then there's a couple of ADVANTAGES to not living in a 'worker's paradise.'

Example:
You get to decide whether or not you want to use an OIL CATCH CAN on your car.


Good Luck!

 

This price is perfect. But replacing an engine is not cheaper. just the same I would replace the engine because you probably have some oil consumption. I've replaced the head gasket only to have it blow again 10,000 mi later period beware of cheap head gaskets. I got another Prius here with a blunt head gasket. This car is getting a replacement motor. This is a $4,000 job with a 2015 motor 40,000 mi on the one coming

 

210,000 on the 2013 engine and a bad head gasket. It is not that uncommon especially between 2010 and 2014.

I do think you could get it done for less, there is a company in California that does them for $1500-2000 depending on the head condition. Finding that price might depend on your actual location in Arizona since the number of Prii probably has more to do with it then anything. Your mechanic may not have a lot of Prius experience and is covering himself. Or he may be concerned about comebacks, which do happen on these engines.

My almost daily advice for head gaskets on high mile gen3s is to get a lower mile gen3 engine and have it rebuilt. No more oil use, no leaking timing chain gaskets, clogged egrs, etc. Some have had that done recently for $3k-$4k.

Honestly, I don't think you should be paying to fix your soon to be ex's car. Let him do it.

 

@NutzAboutBolts videos are linked here:


Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat

 

here's a video for you.

they had a second video of the same head gasket removal but they since removed it from their youtube account. Not sure why... but I got the video saved.

 

Puzzled me too, and I also saved both their earlier videos. Guess who else's videos I've saved, lol.

Frustrating: if you share it's a copyright infringement I think.

 

lol, so if my YT page gets taken down, I'll come looking for you so I can reupload all my videos

 

Engine swap. More peace of mind.