1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Cracked Ring, Headgasket, Something else??

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Dan32888, Oct 4, 2020.

  1. Dan32888

    Dan32888 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2020
    6
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hi All,

    I am trying to determine the cause of what started out as a misfire on cylinder 2.

    On an unusually warm day, I noticed severe shuddering when the ICE engaged, although it went away after staying on for a few seconds. Closer to the end of my drive when getting off the freeway, the CEL started flashing. Luckily I’m just a few blocks away from the freeway, so I stopped in front of the house.

    Code reader showed a misfire on cylinder 2. Great, replaced the plugs for all four cylinders and started it back up. Severe shuddering continues, so I check the coils are seated and start it back up in maintenance mode. White smoke starts pouring out of exhaust (does not smell noticeably sweet). I drive it around the neighborhood and park it again. Smoke has dissipated and the car sounds OK idling. Another drive results in severe shuddering. No code is thrown yet.

    I pull the brand new plug and it is covered in what I believe to be oil, but I suppose it could be another substance. Coolant reservoir is lower than it should be but not dry.

    What do you think the issue may be? Anything else I should be testing?
     
    #1 Dan32888, Oct 4, 2020
  2. Dan32888

    Dan32888 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2020
    6
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Adding to my post, I also tried swapping coils #2 and #4. The plug in number 4 stayed pristine after driving.
     
    #2 Dan32888, Oct 4, 2020
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,569
    4,438
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Classic headgasket, coolant level will be dropping.
     
    #3 rjparker, Oct 5, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,597
    3,771
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Head gasket. Incomplete/poor combustion can look oily on the plug. Luckily, this one is a slow death so "congrats". :confused:
     
    #4 fotomoto, Oct 5, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,674
    38,214
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Slam-dunk case. How many miles on it.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Oct 5, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  6. Dan32888

    Dan32888 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2020
    6
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    196k miles. Is the consensus that this repair is painful, but not worth scrapping the car?

    As this is beyond my capability, I’m fearful of what the mechanic is going to charge :(
     
    #6 Dan32888, Oct 5, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  7. Dan32888

    Dan32888 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2020
    6
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thank you for the answer. I appreciate the time you saved me hunting around for an easier fix... just wish I read this before installing a new fuel injector :)
     
    #7 Dan32888, Oct 5, 2020
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,569
    4,438
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Call Gasketmasters in the Bay Area. May be the least painful fix.
     
    #8 rjparker, Oct 5, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  9. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2018
    1,679
    547
    3
    Location:
    SE Texas
    Vehicle:
    2011 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    ----USA----
    You may want to see about a JDAM engine imported from Japan with low miles..... they usually sell for under $1500 and have low miles. I wouldn't spend to much on a engine with close to 200,000 miles.
    You are very close to the Traction Battery going out.....and that's $1600 if you do it yourself. These cars are not a camry............ good on gas but that's about it.
     
    #9 Tim Jones, Oct 5, 2020
  10. Dan32888

    Dan32888 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2020
    6
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Do you have contact information for these folks?
    Do you roughly how much they charge?
    Googling doesn’t pull up much other than videos. Thank you!
     
    #10 Dan32888, Oct 6, 2020
  11. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,569
    4,438
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    You have to call. They are near you in Keyes but they say they will come to you. 209-305-1672 71D8F68F-48D5-4811-9952-C632F2A79DA0.jpeg
     
    #11 rjparker, Oct 6, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,476
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    They are also here @Gasket masters :).

    Send them a private message and see what they have to say(y).
     
    #12 Raytheeagle, Oct 6, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  13. Dan32888

    Dan32888 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2020
    6
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thank you @Raytheeagle @rjparker for mentioning GasketMasters. Car is now running trouble-free for less than $2,000.
     
    #13 Dan32888, Oct 21, 2020
    scona, Raytheeagle and Mendel Leisk like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)