Blown Head Gasket Repair or Used Engine?

Your engine is full of glue. Now you're buying a motor

 

Or he could have already been on his next head gasket which tends to fail faster than the first

 

I would go with the new engine and put the new water pump off of the old one on the new engine. Is there a warranty with the new engine, that would make it a deal breaker.

 

How long does the second one usually last?

 

Welcome to Prius Chat .

Some questions:

• How many miles on your Prius?
• What did your mechanic say about the failed water pump (as in what was the cause)?
• What mechanic are you using?
• Does the mechanic have experience with hybrids?
• Is your engine coolant level decreasing?
• Was the thermostat changed with the water pump?

Keep us posted .

 

I've not heard of this. Please explain.

 

Where is the thermostat located?

 

On the other side of the water pump.

If you take off the air intake, you’ll see the black housing for the thermostat .

3 nuts / bolts and it’s ready to swap.

 

I wouldn't do either of those things!! They are overcharging you ! Sell it as is and use the extra change to get into a new car. I'm facing the same exact issue except I haven't been quoted numbers like those!!! Someone said they would put in an engine for us at $400. He's a friend at this point lol.

 

Hopefully he stays one after the install.

 

Look for another quote for engine replacement. I think the shop you got your quote from, is pretty high

 

I am curious as to what prices people are paying for labor on an engine swap? I am at 180,000 miles on my '14 without any problems so far but I know that it is a matter of time before that will start changing. A head gasket swap would not be in the cards for me but if I had an idea of what the worst case repair might be, I would be better armed to pull the trigger when the time comes.

 

$5-6K is about the market price. An used engine is around $2500 (plus mark-up), fluids and parts (plugs, w/p, etc.) can add another $500, and then you need to budget for about $2k in labor (market rate is about $150-$200/hr).

In other words, it is probably not a cost-effective repair for most people unless you can find someone to do the job at less than market rates.