timing chain tensioner is leaking?

The timing chain tensioner is external so it just screws into a big hole essentially If I'm not mistaken there's not much to changing the timing chain tensioner like maybe an hour labor at best and the timing chain tensioner I cannot even imagine I didn't Google it $49 or something so if an hour of labor and 50 to $70 part cost and get you to $360 well I guess so Yes Many mechanics will change the front brakes on the Prius and not the rear because their new school Gen X people that don't know how to work on drum brakes or drum brakes are really complicated to them and they don't usually fool with them if the older guy isn't in the shop that day or something so that's real common The shoes will also outlast the front pads almost three to one sets and in a Prius possibly even longer they may only need adjustment but with the inexpensive rear shoes for a Prius you know even very good ones will be about $26 or something and the hour it takes to actually put them on well there's always that I wouldn't let that worry me too much The fronts are the ones that will take any kind of use at all and the backs are just hanging out especially on a Prius Google your timing chain tensioner for your 2ZZ Atkinson cycle Prius engine which should be the same for all too ZZ engines and see what you come up with I would guess under $75 It is not anything special It's like most external timing chain engines.

 

if there's no oil on the ground after parking overnight, ignore the tensioner, even if it is leaking. they all weep a bit

 

I changed my struts at 200k miles and it was a waste of time and money. I thought they were leaking because they looked like they were leaking. The new ones now look like they're leaking too, it's a like a clean wet spot on the upper half the strut. The 200k ones felt almost exactly the same as the new ones.

As said, the tensioner often just slowly weeps oil and you can ignore it if it's not dripping.

3mm on rear brakes is like 3 years left.

I don't think you're getting scammed necessarily. An inspection is an inspection, if they see those things they will say so and offer a quote to fix it. But yes, it seems likely that they should all be declined. Owning a car in general is a nightmare if you don't know a guy, but a 3rd gen Prius at 50k isn't that bad of a purchase (if you got a fair price) especially if you drive a lot, just make sure you get out from under it by around 130k-150k miles.

 

I think there'd be no harm in just replacing the timing chain tensioner gasket. That should be relatively cheap, and the labour maybe an hour.

Struts are probably fine.

If rear brake pads are down to 3mm they should be replaced soon. If you see that pad in your hand, with mere 3mm remaining, it hit's home how little it is. They start out at 9.5 mm IIRC, and 3 is getting pretty low. One mm is technically the limit, but...

This mechanic seems on the ball, except I'm not so sure replacement of that tensioner is warranted. Maybe he's seen them fail.