I’m really down about this situation. I wanted to keep my car but my finances are tight right now and buying a new one is out of the question.
I bought a 2008 Prius about 9 months ago with 140K miles. Everything was good until a few weeks ago when the check engine light came on. After checking the codes, I found out it was a Cylinder 2 misfire. This was strange since I replaced the ignition coils and spark plugs just 6 months ago.
I took it to a shop, and they did a thorough inspection. They told me I had a blown head gasket and the repair would cost between $1800 to $3500. I talked to some friends who suggested getting a second opinion. So, yesterday, I went to a mechanic with great reviews, and they found that it wasn’t a blown head gasket but broken piston rings instead. This means I need a new engine, costing $7000. That’s exactly what I paid for the car.
So, here I am, feeling pretty defeated. I’m a college student trying to make ends meet, and now I have to figure this out…
Lilly said:
Wow, $7k is way too much for this car.
Maybe look for a used engine from a place like LKQ for about $1,000 and then pay a mechanic to install it.
If you’re replacing the engine, consider getting new control arms too. You usually have to drop the subframe to take out the engine, so if you’re doing that, it’s a good time to change those worn-out parts while you’re at it.
But yeah, $7k for a new engine isn’t wise. Just keep the throttle body clean or use a catch can to avoid oil getting in and messing up the new engine’s rings.
Murphy said: @Penn
> having to drop the subframe to take out the engine
Or you could lift it out from the top, which is often easier.
Most Toyota motors have a flange on top that makes it tricky. The bolts are hidden by the rubber mount, which only allows it to drop because of that flange.
The Matrix is built that way, and I’m pretty sure the Prius is too, but I’ve never worked with all the cables to check. It’s definitely not an easy job to do outside in the heat.
You should definitely get a third opinion from a mechanic who knows hybrids. There are so many potential issues, and it’s hard to tell who’s right with everything going on right now.
Did you check for damage with a bore scope? Sometimes Prius rings get stuck from carbon build-up. You can loosen them with B12 and high detergent oil. Also, if the head gasket is blown, you might hear a rattling sound in cold weather. I’m not saying they are wrong, but it’s hard to know for sure.
Mikel said: @ROZZY
They showed me a video with a bore scope showing oil leaking.
I’ve had a car where I poured B12 into cylinders 2 and 3, and you could hear it go right into the crankcase. After a few bottles, the rings loosened up. I’ve had three of these cars, and the only real issue I’ve seen was a dropped valve at 486,815 miles. I’d suggest trying B12 and changing the oil afterward.
> they said I need a new engine because of broken piston rings costing $7000.
Broken rings don’t always mean you need a whole new engine. Sometimes a simple hone and new rings will fix it, but that requires disassembling part of the engine. How did they figure out it was broken rings? Did they remove the cylinder head?
You should try doing it yourself to save money. Consider taking some auto mechanic classes at a community college to learn the basics. Also, look for a third opinion from another shop.
