P0016 code, took car to mechanic, what should I do?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by charliexjustice, Aug 21, 2017.

  1. charliexjustice

    charliexjustice New Member

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    Hello, my car is a 2007 Toyota Prius, base model not the touring. Currently at 191k miles.

    A while ago back in January or so I got a check engine light in my car. I finally got around to doing an ODB2 scan of it and the code is P0016, crankshaft/camshaft position error.

    I took my car to a mechanic, a guy who used to work for a Toyota dealership. He said it needs a new camshaft adjuster. This is a labor intensive repair, he gave me an estimate of $800. I asked if I should replace the timing chain and tensioner since he'd already be doing that labor, and he said he would add that for 200 more to a total of $1000 out the door. However, he also thinks the engine is burning oil for some reason that will not be resolved by the timing chain replacements. He suggested that I could replace the engine with a used one with roughly 100k miles for around 2000 out the door.

    The engine also may have another issue, it started rattling in 2015 but two mechanics told me that the problem had something to do with the intake manifold or something and that it was mostly harmless and would cost more to repair than it would be worth. Some paint seems to be chipped due to someone vomiting on the exterior, and the rear part of the center console is missing. Also, the cruise control button is broken.

    I looked up the Kelly Blue Book value of the vehicle and in "fair" condition, it is listed for private party at $3.458.

    I have no idea how much life is left in the hybrid battery, but the mechanic said he could most likely repair mine for around 750, and that it probably won't need a new replacement.

    My question is whether it's worth it to repair the vehicle, replace the engine, or if I should just try to trade it in, junk it or whatever? Anyone know anything about selling used hybrid batteries?

    I have a year until it has to pass smog again.

    Thanks! Charlie
     
    #1 charliexjustice, Aug 21, 2017
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    How long have you owned this vehicle and what kind of MPGs are you getting?

    Who normally changes the oil and at what interval (with synth or dino), do you ever checked the oil level yourself?

    What kind of ODB2 reader did you use and did the mechanic also read the same code with his own equipment?

    If you set a DTC P0016 then I would read these threads first before spending a bunch of money on this vehicle.

    P0016 Error Code | PriusChat and Codes P0011 and P0016 ?? | PriusChat

    It may be possible to fix it for less, also possible the repair the mechanic suggests may/ may not fix it at all.

    I would try inspecting/cleaning the vvti oil control valve and filter myself first (reminds self to do this at the next local meet up, lol)

    VVT Oil Filter? Poor MPG'S? | PriusChat
     
    #2 SFO, Aug 23, 2017
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just my opinion, sell it, and buy something with lower miles.
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 23, 2017
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  4. charliexjustice

    charliexjustice New Member

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    Thanks very much!!!! I will look into all of this

     
    #4 charliexjustice, Aug 27, 2017
  5. charliexjustice

    charliexjustice New Member

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    I've owned it since 2014. I bought it from my Dad, who is not the best at car maintenance but far from the worst either. It had 130k miles at that time, now up to 191k.

    I have taken it to many different locations to change the oil, typically every 10k miles. I have put lots of highway miles on the car.

    The OBD 2 reader was one from autozone, I'm not sure what kind exactly. Also don't know what kind the mechanic used. Is there any code reader you recommend as the best or most accurate?

    To be honest, I'm not sure what kind of oil was used, I always opt for the cheapest one wherever I take it.

    I just started monitoring oil levels myself.

    189,979 = mechanic filled oil level to slightly above the full dot
    191,103 I checked it again , it was almost at the full dot, right below
    191,971 I just checked it right now, its about a quarter inch below the full dot.
     
    #5 charliexjustice, Aug 27, 2017
  6. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Keep watching the oil, running low will kill the engine fast.

    You need to find/use an OBD2 reader that is prius compatible. Most around here use either a mini-vci cable or the ODB2 bluetooth adapter (do a search here, priced from $2 up to $25+).

    Once you have properly scanned for current or logged codes, repost any new findings here for additional advice.

    If you normally are doing a 10k oil change interval you might want to consider using a synthetic oil instead.

    How soon until the next smog is due?
     
    #6 SFO, Sep 10, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  7. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Since it seems you don't DIY, get rid of the car soon.

    Gen2's are known to burn oil as people approach/cross the 100K mile mark. You would know this to be true, if you or your dad, had been checking the engine oil level regularly (weekly, monthly, etc). There are many horror stories of people who NEVER check their engine oil level, and inquire about an intermittent warning light, that appears upon driving around a corner or braking hard. On your next car, get in the habit of checking the engine oil level with some regularity; your engine will last longer.

    At least you recently just checked and noticed that the engine is burning oil. Keep the oil level as close to the full mark w/o going over.

    The clockspring cable on the steering wheel is likely broken. Do the steering wheel radio and climate control buttons work regularly too? This is a well known problem that occurs on Gen2. Not worth fixing if you get rid of the car. Some people buy imitation clock spring parts from eBay ($8-$20) vs genuine OEM from a Toyota dealer ($221); 2007 Toyota Prius Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping)
    The clock spring connects the steering wheel buttons to the rest of the car and the life saving air bags. Only you can determine if your life is worth $8 or $221. READ this for additional perspective on fake vs OEM clock spring cable:
    Be careful of counterfeit Clocksprings / Spiral Cables sold online | PriusChat

    NO one can reliably predict how much life is left in the HV Battery. Most people get 8-10years; some get more, some get less. Many horror stories of people being penny wise, pound foolish, in going rebuilt/refurbished (Doorman, craigslist sellers, etc), expecting a HV Battery composed of the best of the worst modules, to provide reliability like their previous original HV battery that came with the car when new.

    $750 for a "repaired" HV Battery; longevity will not be long.
    $2200 for a new OEM HV Battery that will likely give you 10+ years of reliable service.
    2007 Toyota Prius Parts - Toyota of San Bernardino Online Parts Store
    If you DIY, a new HV Battery would make sense, because you can transplant this into another Gen2, if something should happen, to your current one, or a Gen3, by swapping the modules into the Gen3 HV Battery case.

    Since the car is 10years old, there are other parts that you can expect to wear out:
    catalytic converter; $1664 OEM; 2007 Toyota Prius Parts - Toyota of San Bernardino Online Parts Store
    You can always attempt an aftermarket cat replacement, but those do not seem to last long.

    brake actuator assembly; $1459 OEM; 2007 Toyota Prius Parts - Toyota of San Bernardino Online Parts Store

    AC
     
    #7 exstudent, Sep 10, 2017
  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Before having a mechanic 'repair' it, you should look into the Prolong Charger/Discharger from http://www.hybridautomotive.com

    If the battery is reconditioned with the Prolong set up it should last until the next smog, or even longer if you are able to address the check engine light issue.
     
    #8 SFO, Sep 11, 2017
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