Timing Cover Gasket replacement

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Regulus, Oct 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM.

  1. Regulus

    Regulus Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    24
    10
    0
    Location:
    sylvania,ohio
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    N/A
    I had my 2012 Prius C (166,000 miles) at the Toyota dealership for an oil change yesterday. They noticed a small puddle of oil under the rear end and showed me the photo of it. But I haven't seen oil on under my since I brought it home from the dealership.

    The total cost of the repair is $3660, including $2710 for the labor. It's a 15-hour repair so the labor is $180.67 per hour. The parts are about $300. Is the cost of this repair reasonable? Should I delay the repair until I see oil under the car?
     
    #1 Regulus, Oct 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    8,028
    7,504
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    It's a reasonable price for a dealer to fix that. An independent garage can usually do it for about 2/3rds or less.

    Thing is, you probably don't need to fix it at all. It is a fairly common leak point on this model, but nobody ever lost much oil through it. It's just not a big deal for most.

    The oil loss rate is not likely to increase over the remaining useful lifespan of the car. Wait until yours proves itself different with a puddle.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Oct 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
    ETC(SS) likes this.
  3. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    8,305
    7,083
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    ^ That.

    The fact that the dealer is trying to get you submit your car to nearly $4,000 worth of open heart surgery to fix a minor oil weep is telling.

    -what it would be telling ME is that the 'change dealer' light just illuminated..........
     
    #3 ETC(SS), Oct 10, 2025 at 6:44 AM
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    9,916
    6,115
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Sounds like the dealer is pulling the engine to change the timing cover gasket.

    I would get a second and third opinion until you found a price less than $1200. If not live with it but check the oil every two fill ups like your wallet and engine depended on it.
     
    #4 rjparker, Oct 10, 2025 at 7:47 AM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)