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Starts then shuts off

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by priusde, Apr 5, 2016.

  1. priusde

    priusde Junior Member

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    Car starts runs rough for a few seconds then shuts off (spark plugs and 2 coils were replaced a few months ago). Coolant reservoir level was way low so I filled to the full line, kept the cap off to cycle. During the time the car starts, the coolant from the reservoir violently "boils" over (out of the reservoir). Huge amount of white smoke from the rear exhaust and a burning smell.

    Used Techstream and got the following codes:
    Engine and ECT: P0117, P0302, P3190, P3191
    Hybrid Control: P0A0F
    Intermittently get misfile codes but this time around they did not return.
     
    #1 priusde, Apr 5, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 5, 2016
  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    White smoke usually means that the ICE is burning a combination of gaso and water/ coolant
     
    #3 mrbigh, Apr 5, 2016
  4. priusde

    priusde Junior Member

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    #4 priusde, Apr 5, 2016
  5. priusde

    priusde Junior Member

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    What would cause this and what should be done to fix.
     
    #5 priusde, Apr 5, 2016
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Blown head gasket?
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Apr 5, 2016
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Most common cause is a broken head gasket which seals the cylinders from the coolant passageways next to them. The cylinder head needs to be pulled to gain access. Worst case if engine got too hot, head and possibly block may need to be machined to fix warpage.

    The cylinders are now pumping air into the coolant passageways which is then blown out through the coolant tank.
     
    #7 fotomoto, Apr 5, 2016
  8. priusde

    priusde Junior Member

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    Sounds major, what am I looking at for repairs ballpark. I'm seeing decent mileage engines on ebay for around 700, 800 if a swap is something an independent garage could handle.
     
    #8 priusde, Apr 5, 2016
  9. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Was the engine ever overheated or run low on coolant? I don't think there's any other excuse for such a failure.
     
    #9 CR94, Apr 5, 2016
  10. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    how about high miles? there are a few threads of blown HG near or over 200,000 miles.
     
    #10 Former Member 68813, Apr 5, 2016
  11. priusde

    priusde Junior Member

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    Was running at the low coolant mark but high temp lamp hadn't come on that I'm aware of. Loud popping and rough running when the car does start but then it shuts off after a few seconds.
     
    #11 priusde, Apr 5, 2016
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