Hi All, New to the forum. I have a 2010 Prius with 111k miles on it, oil was replaced about 2-3k miles ago. Twice this week upon starting the car when it was cold the engine vibrated alot for about 3 seconds then stopped and the car ran fine afterwards. I've read this could be the headgasket, has anyone else encountered this?
First couple of links in my sig give EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cleaning tips/links. Further down are a couple of head gasket links. Test head gasket first; leak-down test and boroscope inspection (with pressurized coolant system) are good. Then get on the EGR cleaning. My 2 cents, cleaning the EGR system (including intake manifold) every 50k miles is the way to avoid head gasket failure. Toyota doesn’t want to acknowledge or help; they’re on record regarding EGR cleaning, saying in a Warranty Extension Notice: Their offer is to wait for a P0401 code, or cold-start shakes. By that time the damage is done. The highlighted portion is a flat-out lie: they all clog, all the 3rd gen Prius, and Prius v.
Just spoke with my local mechanic and he said until the check engine light is on he will not know the code. I just drove the car and did not have the vibration. Should I not get concerned until I get a check engine light?
Typically if you wait until the check engine light comes on thats more or less when the head gasket has had timed to fail completely. I'm assuming you aren't mechanically savvy. Tell him to replace the intake manifold or clean it first whichever way he charges less. Replace or clean the pcv valve as well.
If your mechanic is averse to cleaning, maybe he’s ok with storing your car a few days while you do the cleaning?
