Headgasket blown, starting to overheat. 2012 gen 3 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by AxiQ, Sep 20, 2023.

  1. AxiQ

    AxiQ New Member

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    Three
    Hello Prius Chat,

    First post on here and I'm sorta looking for advice more than anything, I know this probably may not be the place for it, and if it isn't I'll gladly delete.

    for context I'm a 23 year old who purchased this car (2012 Gen 3 Prius) off of my older sister in 2019 with 160,000 miles. Been using it as my car on many a commute and been routine with my oil changes every 5k-7k miles there were times in between where was slight neglect of more time between the maintenance. But I never really pushed her hard was always smooth on the gas and gave her ample time to start up. It now has about 230,000 miles.

    But a little under a month ago my Prius started having the rough knocking on ICE startup, I had my older bother help me get a new set of plugs and coils because as far as I was aware that wasn't something my sister ever did. Got them installed problem went away for a total of 2 hours before it came back again, also noticed the car started eating through coolant. Since then I've been still daily driving the car to my 15 minute highway commute to my new job and putting coolant anytime I noticed it was was particularly low. I did a code read with a wifi OBD reader I had and it's just showing misfire codes. I kinda came to terms with the fact that it's probably a blown head gasket. And now these last three days I noticed my car's temp light turned on while I was on the way to work I immediately slowed down and pulled over so that I don't do any damage to the engine, I noticed the coolant was low again so I topped it off and continued driving and the light didnt come on again but it did once the coolant was eaten through again within two days.

    I'm currently not in the best spot financially, and I also am going to be moving out of my current place as my lease goes up at the end of year and I'm stuck as to what would be the best course of action. I'm in the Sacramento area


    Should I try to fix the car or is 230k too deep and should I just try selling it full disclosure and buy a beater until I can afford another car. I'm kind of in a tough spot, any help would be appreciated.
     
    #1 AxiQ, Sep 20, 2023
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you can't do the work yourself, sell it and make due with the best non hybrid you can afford.
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 21, 2023
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  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Please generations reason fours cost money to keep on the road It's just that simple.
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Sep 21, 2023
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    In Sacramento your way up there but you're in California You could find a 95 Corolla in perfect condition and it'll outlast you you'll sell it to keep up with the Joneses only. Seriously that's not a joke You're 23 my 95 Corolla could last you until you're 70 very easily You would be forced out of it just to keep up with others at some point that would be it.
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Sep 21, 2023
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Your best bet is to get it to Gasketmasters asap and quit driving it until then. If it can be saved with a head gasket then go for it. If not, sell it as is and get a reliable non hybrid.


    Gasketmasters
    1031 W Yosemite Ave, Manteca, CA 95337


    Budget Oldies But Goodies (w Lower Miles)

    2000-04 Avalons (no rust)
    2004-06 Camry V6
    2005-08 Corolla (very good)
     
    #5 rjparker, Sep 21, 2023
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I'm telling you if your brain will allow you look hard in California in your area you will find a 93 to 6 Corolla LE probably with the sunroof in your market with the nice seats and the 7AFE 1.8 l engine that car could carry me to the next millennia I let mine go to a friend of mine that needed it at the time what I thought more than I did and was one of the worst things I ever did that car drove everywhere had nice seats in it clean carpet a sunroof ice cold air conditioning electric windows You didn't have to worry about the car even though mine was clean as all get out it was worth nothing so I could go four wheeling with it take it in the woods drive it up and down trails and it was still clean as a pin. There's a lady right down the street from me at the old folks home her and her husband have one It's gold like the ugly Prius with the tan velor interior It is in mint condition with a sunroof and everything I told that old lady the minute you get ready You call me right down here I'm literally I can see you almost from my house You let me know No issue I will take the car even if you wreck it call me first It's a gold mine gets almost 30 mi to the gallon and needs no maintenance oil changes of course for y'all but maintenance is nothing wheel bearings last forever fuel pumps go 200,000 mi so on and so forth but see people aren't looking at this stuff on vehicles they just want a 2019 such and such and so and so.
     
    #6 Tombukt2, Sep 22, 2023
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Trying to figure stuff like this out is more fun than Wordle; anyone get it?

    It’s post #3, not just a snippet; it’s the whole dang thing.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Sep 22, 2023
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    These generation 3 Priuses cost money to keep on the road. It is just that simple.

    Translated using AI (accumulated intelligence) based on context and experience with deep south languages. Complicated by voice to text technology used by a 68 year old North Carolina gentleman.
     
    #8 rjparker, Sep 22, 2023
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