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Trying to get my 2001 Prius to 300k

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by ChrisPDXPrius2001, Nov 22, 2022.

  1. ChrisPDXPrius2001

    ChrisPDXPrius2001 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2015
    12
    1
    0
    Location:
    portland
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    It's a milestone I want to achieve. Right now the little baby blue beauty is sitting at almost 257k. Any advice to help me reach my goal? I can post my entire work history for those who are interested(I bought the car from the original owner at 97k).

    Yesterday morning I had code p3191, p0301, and p0304 which I checked at AutoZone and later while driving home the CEL started flashing but went away within a few moments...my poor ole car was misfiring. Today I had all 4 spark plugs replaced as well as new ignition coils for cylinder 1 and 4. Drove it around for about 30 miles after picking it up from the shop and sometimes I would hear what I can only describe as a galloping rattle at around 30-40 mph but did not seem to increase in volume or timing when I accelerated up to 50 mph. The sound seems to come and go and not sure if I should take my car back to the shop and ask if they wouldn't mind taking a little peep since I just dropped $650 today(don't wanna be a dick to them, they seem like a nice honest mechanic family owned shop). Any idea what could be causing the noise besides the engine, perhaps a heat shield? I did have my oil replaced 200 miles ago if that info helps.

    I wish I still lived in Portland, OR because I always took my car to Atomic Auto and they are hands down the absolute BEST ever.

    Sorry if my post is long winded as it has been a long day and I really appreciate if anyone responds. This has been the best and most reliable car I have owned and I have driven it all over the gosh darn place and I just really, really would be incredibly happy to reach that 300k milestone.

    Thanks!
     
  2. dabard051

    dabard051 Tinkerer-in-Charge

    Joined:
    May 19, 2009
    232
    84
    0
    Location:
    Rochester, NY USA
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    First thing I suspect with the sudden onset of misfires is water in the fuel.
    The Gen I prius is famous for corrosion in the fuel fill pipe neck (just below where the fuel cap screws in).
    There are a couple of older threads which discuss it. for example:
    Tech is stumped. What causes this misfire? | Page 3 | PriusChat

    Obvious question: did it rain or get cold & damp recently, just before the problem started (1-2 days)?

    The short term diagnosis is to run the fuel level down to as close to zero as you date, then a can of DRyGas and refill with known good fuel.
    If it runs well after that, then it's a matter of finding where the water entry point to the fuel system is.