Questions - Sad Ending for a Toyota
 

My son's 2014 Prius with 194K miles just suffered a blown head gasket.

This is apparently a known issue in that 3rd gen design.

One guess to repair was ~20 to 30 hrs. labor.

So..

1. Does it really take that much time? or more?

2. Does the cost plus the risk of other damage and/or need to replace the head make it just stupid to try and fix?

3. Assuming the answer to 2. is yes, is there any way to dispose of it and walk away with anything or will this likely end with a zero balance?

4. Online suggests it's possible to replace with a newer (4th gen) engine for relatively lower labor. Is this a viable option?

Here's an even sadder ending for a Toyota on my jobsite last month. That's a 90' pipe pile 2' diameter 1/2" steel

Link to a Prius board, member is asking if the car is worth the repair:

https://priuschat.com/threads/head-g...rth-it.222402/

He lives in SF CA, says estimate was $4-$5000 dollars to replace head gasket on a 2010 Prius. That sounds quite expensive to R&R a head and replace the gasket on a 4 cyl. engine............:noidea:

Evidently it's a common malady as a You Tube search has a lot of videos dedicated to Prius head gasket replacements.

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ket+2014+prius

is it possible that when the HG goes, it screws the head?
IIRC some engines not too long ago were prone to significant warpage - requiring machine work if it was salvageable;
Maybe that cost includes a refurbished cylinder head.

Doesn't sound like the juice is worth the squeeze.

Thank you.

Agree that sounded a lot to replace a gasket which is why I asked. My guess is replacing the gasket means replacing the head and maybe worse..

And I also saw the videos. Clearly a common failure mode for at least that generation. My son thought he was lucky it hadn't failed by 150K.

Yes, I think so.

He had a water pump die about a year ago, which means the engine overheated at least once. I don't believe in coincidence here. Seems he was lucky it lived another year.

He concluded the same. If it had <150K miles, he thought it might be worth it, but he doesn't trust the batteries to live much longer.

His neighbor is a repair hobbyist, offered him $1500 for it as it sits. I think that's a gift and if it's true, he'll take it and move on.

He'll say good bye to a car that served him well for several years at a truly low cost of ownership until it puked.

Thanks to you all.

Initially I'm thinking sell the car, even if the repair is done correctly what's the real cost in the end and will you get that $ back with stressfree driving miles?

Also, what's next part to go after all this and would you bother repairing the next issue so this repairs money wasn't wasted?

Then ask, whats the cars value repaired (Money you just put in minus KBB)?

KBB says roughly $2800-$3800, I'd pass unless the car holds significant sentimental value.

The offer at $1500 as is, is a great gift to the seller, unload and move on. I bet repair money in minus KBB is probably $0 in the end after the sale vs you'd have $1500 in hand now.

Yes, that's the same thought path my son followed and ended up thinking the offer may be too good to be true. I hope it's true, but I've been known to imagine a lot of stuff.

Regardless, this episode has allowed my son to abandon all sentimental attachment. He needs transportation more than a hug right now.

20 - 30 hours to replace a head gasket ??

Either that’s a labor intensive job on a 4 cylinder or someone’s really overcharging.

I’d suspect it shouldn’t take that long.

My wife has a 2025 RAV4 that I just changed the oil on; and it didn’t look overly complicated.

The Buyer has opportunity to make a decent hybrid out of a perfectly working gasoline car.

200 k. Your ready for a new one.

On a related note I'm building an engine for a gentleman that makes a living replacing Cadillac head gaskets. He has Cadillacs from all over the USA sent to him. It turns out the real problem is the threads in the block give out and that causes the head gasket issues. He makes an insert that allows the block to be repaired, uses custom fasteners and an OEM style gasket to complete the job.

I also worked with a gentleman that made a lucrative living replacing head gaskets on diesel pick up trucks.... I'd check into the Toyota world, I'm sure there's guys out there that specialize in this problem and can help you out, even if it's just advice.

I'm sorry, I have to chuckle at even thinking of repairing a head gasket on an 11 y/o 194k mile Prius.

Everyone once in a while Toyota drops the ball. Normally they have a 300k break in period. Head gasket problems seem to be more of a Cadillac or diesel truck issue.

The part that amazes me is the level of difficulty to perform the job. Obviously there's a LOT involved to replace this gasket. I know on the diesel trucks the body is lifted of the frame.

I was hoping someone could explain why it would cost so much. To me, it's a gasket replacement.

Apparently, it's either very complicated or it always involves replacing the head and maybe more. Probably a little of both.

As to the 194K dictating the ending, I feel bad for him. It's been running great, is in great shape, and has been a good car for him. Sux to lose a good vehicle because of a gasket. The decision isn't hard once the cost of repair is considered but when that repair cost feels like nonsense, it's hard to accept.

For me it's a painful reminder of today's disposable world and reinforces the appeal of anything repairable with hand tools.

Pour some Blue Devil headgasket sealer in and keep driving.

Shops are probably wanting to replace the head as it is probably warped. Having the head resurfaced will more than likely interfere with cam to crank correlation and pop a check engine light.

If he isn't in a position to buy another car. Pour in the sealer... remove the thermostat and keep driving it.

off topic.......Hey Paul, where is your Cadillac repair guy located? There is one local to me that fixed my wife's '98 Eldo. Cost about $ 2800 about 8 years ago or so, had him R&R the rack and struts at the same time since those are accessible with the powertrain down at the time. We really liked the Eldos. Had a '93 and then the '98.

George

Funny George, that is the guy. He's up by you

If you want my half drunken answer, Toyota designed/engineered these cars to be throw aways and never thought people would keep them this long so they said "F-It, who cares what it takes to replace it, just make it fit cheaply", said the Chief Engineer and or CFO.

Why such labor? Step one: remove engine and trans.....