In the shop for 29 days !!!!!!!

Sorry you're having so many issues. What was the initial problem of the Prius? There are some dealerships out there that are less than capable, and they could've just been working on the symptoms and not the actual problem. If you're still willing to keep going on this, I'd try a shot at another dealership.

 

OUCH!!! While this sounds like a nightmare, I have to agree that it does sound like an issue with respect to the shop.

 

Do you have a Lemon law in Canada? Here in the US, generally speaking, if the car cannot be fixed after 3 trys the manufacture is suppose to give you a new car.

 

I think they have tried to fixed it but unsuccessful with three diagnosis. The compression ring problem is extremely unusual problem which requires tearing down the engine to find.
For 29 days is not that long with the works they have done.

I have an engine block replaced due to bottom noise from a Toyota dealer, it took 3 weeks.

It is unfortunate the dealer would not provide you with alternate transportation as they have no obligation to do so under the basic 3yr/36000mile factory warranty.

 

Service engine??? All that means is that you need an oil change. Was the car running normally at the time of the light?

"Check engine" is a different story. Typically that light means that the car has detected a fault with the emissions system or something that impacts the emissions system. But most of the time a CEL does not require a tow truck.

 

I would definitely have a chat with the service manager. I've had instances (with Chrysler products) where it seemed that the technicians were using a process of elimination to diagnose a problem. While that goes on, the costs associated with the repair continue to go up. I've been able to successfully negotiate reductions in repair bills for these types of situations. If the manager knows you're unhappy with what's taken place, he/she may seek some assistance from Toyota to get it diagnosed and squared away promptly.

 

their original diagnosis was not firmly rooted in evidence.

is the car working now or not?

 

in the united states the basic warranty will cover a rental car aka transportation assistance:
if the warranty repairs will take longer then 1 day
or if the warrantable condition requires extensive diagnosis
or if the parts needed for the warranty repairs are not readily available and your vehicle is inoperative or unsafe to drive.

i dont know about canada though, it may be different

if you get the extended warranty, then you will get transportation assistance for the 100,000 miles period.

if your car was under the basic warranty, i would call toyota direct and send them your bills

the exception is if the repairs are only overnight due to scheduling conflicts between you and the dealer. then the transportation assistance does not apply

 

I wouldn't buy a cat from Toyota either.

 

There is no transportation assistance in Canada.

TOYOTA CANADA : Service > Owner's Info > Warranty

 

I'd never buy a cat from toyota....:cheer2:

 

It is unfortunate that your car suffered this most unusual problem. It is also unfortunate that the Canadian warranty does not offer a free loaner vehicle for long-duration warranty repairs as a matter of routine.

If carbon buildup was noticed, this implies cylinder #2 misfire which should have caused the engine ECU to log DTC P0302, and the check engine light should have come on. Did that light appear for some time prior to your noticing driveability issues?

It is also interesting to note that the VVT was a separate problem. I wonder if that was damaged as the head was disassembled from the original engine block.

Did the head need to be decarbonized, since cyl #2 showed signs of carbon buildup?

In any event, I am glad that your car is now back in service, I hope that you will enjoy troublefree performance during the remainder of your ownership.

 

they busted the vvt controller taking it apart. DH knows exactly how that went down, they f'd up. it happens a lot to people who don't know Wth they're doing.

3 possibilities for carbon buildup.
-very poor quality fuel. this would be present in ALL cylinders.
-insufficient spark from coil.
-wrong plugs/wrong plug gap.
did you buy the car new? if so, has the dealership been the only one to work on the car? how did those plugs get in there?