Professional EGR Cleaning Resources

I BIG thanks to ya! Will do!

 

Thanks to you all. I will schedule the borescope test tomorrow and go from there. -- But could coolant still be getting in there, even if I never have to add coolant? LIke I haven't had to add any in a couple of years now at least. But it sure sounds like what's happening because it runs good the rest of the day. -- Oh well, I will let you all know what I find out. Thx again for all the support!

 

Make sure the coolant system is pressurized and the mechanic knows gen3 Prius issues. It just takes drops of coolant seeping in overnight.

This is how to do it

 

I am afraid it is head gasket @Scottyboy24
Classic random misfire in a cold Start. EGR clogging effects the drive in mid throttle after the engine is warm

Check the coolant level, and start shopping around for a used 2015 engine. That's the most cost effective way unless you can find someone replace headgasket for less than 1000$.
How much the oil consumption? if it is less than 1q per 5k miles, then it is worth to fix it. Otherwise, time to move on
The head gasket at around 150-250k miles is very common on 2010-2012 Prius. The 2013 model has less issues but not immune. The p0300 random misfire, p0301=cylinder 1 misfire, etc. Bring it to mechanics to do a pressure test, otherwise the coolant level already gives a clue. The coolant level should stay the same over 5y in most Prius.

I am very sorry, but we should plan cleverly. How much is the car worth, and the rest of the car condition. Head gasket in Prius pre 2015 is known problem and we must be wise what to do next. Check oil consumption, and prepare for catalytic converter too if it excessively burns oil 1Q/1000 miles.

 

The P0300 is the ECU knowing there's a misfire, but can't nail it down to a particular cylinder because the engine is rattling so much. @johnHRP does a good job explaining this and the main misfire is in #2.
I would call local parts stores to borrow a bore scope. Remove the spark plugs and inspect the top of the piston heads. One or two of them will be different from the rest, that's the one getting steam cleaned by your coolant leak, if it's a head gasket problem. If that isn't the issue, move spark plug #2 to #1 and #2 ignition coil to #3 to see if your problem moves. If the problem moves, that's the intermittent part that needs replacing. At that kind of mileage, If it is a failed plug or ignition coil; I'd replace the set - but don't shot-gun it if it's a head gasket. You'll need to determine if it's worth fixing.
BTW: the electric coolant pump tends to get intermittent, lazy, and/or die at that mileage also. You need to monitor the ECT to make sure the engine isn't running hot, might be another reason the head gasket blew. The ECT icon doesn't trip till +240F, normal operating temperature is around 190F. Some people claim that they don't have a problem because it only flashes on and off a few times. Your engine is running too hot. Start saving up for a major repair....

Hope this helps....

 

Throw parts at it without leak down test first with those codes?

 

Anyone know of a shop in western nc that does this? Took a 2015 to dealer and was advised to forget about preemptive head gasket maintenance. Would clean/replace the egr valve only. And doing this would cause more damage because would "upset" the gunk in the intake manifold, et al. Know this doesn't make much sense. But taking apart the egr system for a thorough cleaning is not what they do. Advised to wait until start throwing codes (too late then). Can't take it to Florida. thx in advance.

 

Gen 3 total junk....... doomsday machine..... avoid at all costs..... or you will pay the costs

 

Yeah most shops don't know anything about this not even if it's a ct200h from Lexus it's just not a thing by the time somebody would notice this and catch whatever the hg's starting to go down in the software whatever the damage is pretty much gotten started so then you're possibly doing this $600 worth of cleaning and taking apart when you should be doing something much more probably I'm not sure how they look at it I haven't really talked to anybody about it but I don't know anybody that does it except owners. I do know shop owners that will do what people ask it's x amount of dollars an hour no matter if we're shooting dice in the bathroom or taking your car apart but then they're not going to be responsible taking instructions from a customer if something goes awry after they get done your engines rattling in other words so you know you're not going to be able to pawn that kind of thing off on these kinds of folks

 

Maybe try a google search like "hybrid shop north carolina". I'm in Michigan and found a nearby Hybrid shop the same way. One of my relatives has the Gen3 so at some point, we may visit that shop, now that winter's over. I did that suggested search and got some results. You can call some of them to ask.

 

A dealer will replace the egr cooler, valve and intake if you ask for those services. Egr is not the gen3 hg problem and the dealers know it.

They are not going to spend many hours at $175 an hour to clean an egr cooler when a new cooler is less money. Small shops and diy'ers might or will have extras that are cleaned ahead of time to swap out. My mechanic has a box full of egr coolers to go with hybrid battery modules and other spares removed from blown engines.

There is a revised egr valve, improved ecu software, updated intake, redesigned pistons, rings and head gasket Toyota can supply or install. What that translates to is a rebuilt engine. If you love the car enough to spend more than it is worth, yes the above is a preemptive strategy that will work. Later gen3s sold overseas through 2022 have very few of our problems but have the same engines and egr configuration.

The only affordable way to keep a US gen3 longterm is to diy it. This forum is full of those types.