2014 Prius V want to avoid head gasket problems

How many miles?

Since it is a 2014 the vin you have is important to determine if it has revised pistons and rings. Plus to determine if you have the latest ecu firmware.

Miles and vin become a big predictor. Egr cleaning is essentially important if it throws an egr code, meaning it’s blocked. Outside of Priuschat, dealer master mechanics and Toyota don’t see egrs as the cause.

Everyone agrees 5k oil changes are essential. Most agree on coolant changes around 60k intervals.

 

See first couple of links in my signature, for EGR cleaning info. There's also a couple of head gasket related links. On a phone turn it landscape to see signature.

I'd second that.

 

With 144K miles I would get on EGR cleaning soon. My 2 cents: every 50K would be optimum, and if that's not going to happen, at most 100K before first cleaning.

Check against the attached doc.

Hey, you're welcome.

The one EGR related notice I got was this:

I especially like the "while the majority of vehicles will not experience this condition" bit.

 

Looks like your vin is before the piston and ring change. So it’s essential you do 5k oil changes like your wallet depends on it.



The ecu update is questionable as well since it is only sure in v’s built in Oct 2014, which normally would have been the refreshed 2015 v wagon.

But there were egr and intake manifold upgrades that may have installed the latest ecu calibration id (software).


You will have one of the three 2014 versions above. Toyota Techstream and Car Scanner Pro can read the current id. A dealer would be the best option for updating if needed but it is likely to be a hours labor.

Car Scanner Phone App used with Bluetooth OBD2 Interface

 

worth looking through this too:

tsb-eg-0127t-1014-sw-update-to-avoid-cylinderhead-gasket-failure.243712

 

Apologies for my previous response.

 

Apparently my attachment might not cover OP's VIN. @rjparker's info does though. Sorry about that.

 

Clean out the egr radiator once, then install an oil catch can! This was the best thing I did. Several years ago I bought a Prius V with 200k miles and a blown gasket. After weeks of trying workarounds, I ended up replacing the engine. She now has 300k miles and still gets 42mpg average. Accessing the egr manually is very difficult, but it’s doable. The biggest issue is that the pcv valve is sideways - so when the valve redirects gas from the crank case back into the air intake, some oil can go with it. The catch can goes in between the pcv valve and the air intake. Every time we change the oil, several ounces of oil comes out of the catch can! All that oil would have ended up in the air intake system ultimately causing “dirtier” combustion and more gunk in the egr radiator. I change the oil every 6k miles, and when I do the old oil still looks relatively clear and fresh. The engine runs substantially cleaner with an oil catch can installed, it’s a great inexpensive addition I recommend it to anyone.

 

Replace coolant more frequently…

 

Every time I read the stinkers in that missive from toyota (in post 5) I go into a slow burn:

We are taking this action to assure you that we stand behind our product and to enhance your ownership experience

Yeah right:

 

Your not going to avoid the Blown Head Gasket.
Get rid of it while u can.

 

Seeing how, in that document, "this condition" ⬄ "a sticking EGR valve due to excess carbon buildup", maybe they're right.

I've personally encountered, and seen reports of, EGR valves with ski-jump ruts, and EGR coolers that are clogged.

I've never personally seen, and maybe read one PriusChat report of, "a sticking EGR valve due to excess carbon buildup". Maybe that condition really doesn't crop up as often as some others?

 

Toyota’s solution is a new egr valve and the updated software. That will fix P0401s from sticking, wear, mechanical failure or air leaks, all of which trip the so called “insufficient flow” code because pressure did not change according to the algorithm.

Totally clogged egr cooler when they get in there to change the valve? Yes a P0401 is possible but Toyota would change the cooler and engine. It takes excessive oil consumption to get there. The intake and head would also be heavily coated as well.

This is a more typical sequence of events:

 

Maybe 4th Gen EGR valve has a metal ski ramp?

I wonder too, if carbon clogging can cause the EGR valve to perform differently, say activating more, or through an increased range, something that taxes the ski ramp more than the designers anticipated.

 

What would you get instead? Seems like every car has its own issues. Whether it’s timing chains, transmission failures, head gaskets, etc etc.

I bought my 2013 prius v last month because of the positive things I had heard and knew about Toyota and how many miles people were able to get on the Toyota hybrids.

Now when reading posts like these, I get anxious and wonder if it was a bad decision, or, maybe I’m just in an echo chamber.

You’re not gonna hear all the people with perfectly good running vehicles talking online. While yes, clearly this is a flaw in these vehicles, It’s the ones who experience issues who are the most vocal.

I’m not sure what to think anymore hahaha

 

Get a Matrix. or Vibe.................... I'm positive your going to have Major Problems........... I did the same thing as you. After 150,000 miles get ready for the bad high $$$$ stuff to happen.
I had toys and got super high miles out of them (my previa) 480,000 and still using it... But bout a Matrix 3 years ago and now have 280,000 with only a water pump. I love toys but not the gen 3 prius..... timebomb.........

 

My advice would be to get one of those dash board HUD that plugs into your OBD2 port; so you can monitor ECT. Set the alarm for 210F. The only warning lamp on a Prius goes off at 248F+; without beeping at you - plenty of time to pop a head gasket. Those electric water pumps gets lazy and intermittent, the CEL doesn't log overheat/over temps; so if you don't notice that temp lamp flashing at you while your climbing hills - too bad too sad.Add to that the Prius V is dragging around a lot more weight and higher drag coefficient than other Prius models.

IMHO; if you keep it properly maintained and don't push it too hard - it should be fine.