Currently doing a head gasket repair on my 2014 Prius V, after buying it from a dealer “as-is” without knowing what the “death rattle” meant. I have very little auto-mechanic experience. Guys like you on UA-cam are helping me and my family!
That sucks. Here where I live, we don’t have as is. Even if we did, goodness I could never sell someone a car and leave them hanging shortly after. I mean after time it is what it is but never right away :( HANG IN THERE! It’s just nuts and bolts. NEW head bolts and use a torque wrench. Harbor freight’s mid grade tools are more than good enough. Triple check timing chain and be careful with the FIPG (rtv) reassembling
@@DrewGarage yes sir, I called them back shortly after discovering the issue and they pretty much said “sorry ‘bout ya.” I’m getting my head machined right now, got all my parts, just waiting to reassemble. The RTV stuff is what makes me the most nervous, I don’t want to mess that up.
@@papacoyotyl there is a decent amount of room there to put the timing cover back on. Personally I like Toyota genuine fipig because the first stuff lasts like 1,000,000 miles. There is also one from permatex called “right stuff” that is fantastic. You literally can put oil in the car and drive it as soon as it’s back together… It has like one hour till “in-service“ and many jobs take longer than that to finish anyway The big thing is just to be careful,sometimes it makes sense to take very long bolts, in this case, 6 mm, and cut the heads off to act as temporary studs to slide the timing cover into its home position without any side side wiggling… Just take your time and put on enough but not too much and you’ll be fine
@@DrewGarage thanks, brother. I got the permetex stuff because that’s what the guys at gasket masters suggested using. I just got the call from the machine shop that the head was ready to get picked up. I’ll let you know how reassembly goes!
@@papacoyotyl I really hope it goes smoothly! In my opinion, the nerve to tear that far into it is 90% of the battle, I’m sure you were going to be fine :-) be sure to post back. Feel free to take some videos, put them on your own channel, and post links in here to your own videos :-) would be cool for other people watching this video to see your work
It’s frustrating that Toyota didn’t recall these vehicles if it’s a design flaw. I bought a 2010 Prius with 194K miles without knowing this was an issue. Just replaced the struts and fuel pump. Will be cleaning the egr and intake manifold soon to help prevent the gasket issue. Fingers crossed.
I have a 2025 Toyota Prius C. it has 270000 miles, but every morning when I start the car especially in the winter its sounds rough it rattles. It rattles for about a minute or two, but I realize when I shut the car off in EV mode I don't get the noise no more.
Ugh, ok, I changed my spark plugs and will be changing the ignition coils but I’m worried my head gasket is next. I am losing coolant, but don’t have milky oil or white smoke but perhaps it’s just starting? Would you recommend the head gasket sealer till I can afford the fix?
If my prius is doing something similar (not shaking as violently but is shaking the car) but its never on start up, only after driving the car around for 10/15 min is it still likely a head gasket issue? Only does this when I am gently pressing on the gas pedal whether its at low or high speeds but goes away when I let off or put my foot down harder on the gas
Do I understand correctly ..... the design structure of the head gasket, itself, is the cause? Is there a more robust replacement option on the market?
Hi Drew, Just ran across your channel on UA-cam. Thumbs up... I'm shopping for either a Prius V or a Lexus CT200h. Any years that I should be aware of or should avoid? Would you recommend purchasing a plugin vehicle diagnose device? I found a private party selling what appears to be in very good condition a 2013 CT200h with 134k miles. This is a California car. This is the second owner and he claims that he has used a Lexus dealer for his maintenance. I have not seen the car in person yet. The seller indicated that he would take $9500. There's a lot there. Would you like to share your thoughts?
That open deck design is the same thing that contributed so hugely to the head gasket failures in the first-gen Subaru EJ25. _Ask Me How I Know_ Installing the turbo head gaskets on the NA engines would go a long way to solving the issue. Is it worth the trouble to pre-emptively replace the HG on a 2ZR-FXE? Whoops, I see you answered that question already.
That’s a tricky question. Yes it would be of benefit, but it’s decidedly cost prohibitive to do that preventively. If I owned one, the MOMENT I got the death rattle and verified head gasket, I’d do it. I wouldn’t even drive it that first day. But I wouldn’t do it preventatively I don’t think. It’s not a small job and there is a chance with good maintenance, it won’t happen until long after you’ve moved on from The car
Gasket Master said when the egr system clogs up the engine pulls a higher vacuum on the intake manifold and that pulls more pcv gases and oil into the intake and then the oil control rings get clogged up and stuck. Carbon buildup in the combustion chamber puts more stress on the head gasket. Also when coolant gets old and acidic,it eats away at the head gasket and any other seals and gaskets. Bottom line clean your egr system and change that old acidic coolant. Also shorten your oil change intervals for cleaner oil to help keep rings cleaner. Otherwise yes this system is flawed and shame on Toyota 😢
There is actually a video on this channel that covers all the possible problems of a third generation Prius, and gives my professional and personal opinion, with 21 years of experience with Toyota behind it, whether or not it’s still a good purchase… videos like that, and other folks like myself that are very proficient with these vehicles can give you good information to make an informed decision… The random advice of random strangers might not lead you in the right direction than 50% of the time, with this, and other other things in life… Just some friendly wisdom :-)
@@ibezag0it’s definitely a thing. I’d still own one (I made a video about why). I’d be prepared for the head gasket. Sometimes I wonder if there is a way to bulletproof them like a 6.0 ford diesel. Like preliminarily replace the head bolts with studs but I think based on what’s seen in this very video that there is more to the issue. Just like the 6.0 ford, these prius are awesome outside of this issue.
Currently doing a head gasket repair on my 2014 Prius V, after buying it from a dealer “as-is” without knowing what the “death rattle” meant. I have very little auto-mechanic experience. Guys like you on UA-cam are helping me and my family!
That sucks. Here where I live, we don’t have as is. Even if we did, goodness I could never sell someone a car and leave them hanging shortly after. I mean after time it is what it is but never right away :( HANG IN THERE! It’s just nuts and bolts. NEW head bolts and use a torque wrench. Harbor freight’s mid grade tools are more than good enough. Triple check timing chain and be careful with the FIPG (rtv) reassembling
@@DrewGarage yes sir, I called them back shortly after discovering the issue and they pretty much said “sorry ‘bout ya.” I’m getting my head machined right now, got all my parts, just waiting to reassemble. The RTV stuff is what makes me the most nervous, I don’t want to mess that up.
@@papacoyotyl there is a decent amount of room there to put the timing cover back on. Personally I like Toyota genuine fipig because the first stuff lasts like 1,000,000 miles. There is also one from permatex called “right stuff” that is fantastic. You literally can put oil in the car and drive it as soon as it’s back together… It has like one hour till “in-service“ and many jobs take longer than that to finish anyway
The big thing is just to be careful,sometimes it makes sense to take very long bolts, in this case, 6 mm, and cut the heads off to act as temporary studs to slide the timing cover into its home position without any side side wiggling… Just take your time and put on enough but not too much and you’ll be fine
@@DrewGarage thanks, brother. I got the permetex stuff because that’s what the guys at gasket masters suggested using. I just got the call from the machine shop that the head was ready to get picked up. I’ll let you know how reassembly goes!
@@papacoyotyl I really hope it goes smoothly! In my opinion, the nerve to tear that far into it is 90% of the battle, I’m sure you were going to be fine :-) be sure to post back. Feel free to take some videos, put them on your own channel, and post links in here to your own videos :-) would be cool for other people watching this video to see your work
It’s frustrating that Toyota didn’t recall these vehicles if it’s a design flaw. I bought a 2010 Prius with 194K miles without knowing this was an issue. Just replaced the struts and fuel pump. Will be cleaning the egr and intake manifold soon to help prevent the gasket issue. Fingers crossed.
I have a 2025 Toyota Prius C. it has 270000 miles, but every morning when I start the car especially in the winter its sounds rough it rattles. It rattles for about a minute or two, but I realize when I shut the car off in EV mode I don't get the noise no more.
Would you trust BlueDevil HG sealer on a likely quick fix? I’ve used is on tons of other cars before and its worked wonders
Ugh, ok, I changed my spark plugs and will be changing the ignition coils but I’m worried my head gasket is next. I am losing coolant, but don’t have milky oil or white smoke but perhaps it’s just starting? Would you recommend the head gasket sealer till I can afford the fix?
If my prius is doing something similar (not shaking as violently but is shaking the car) but its never on start up, only after driving the car around for 10/15 min is it still likely a head gasket issue?
Only does this when I am gently pressing on the gas pedal whether its at low or high speeds but goes away when I let off or put my foot down harder on the gas
Do I understand correctly ..... the design structure of the head gasket, itself, is the cause? Is there a more robust replacement option on the market?
Hi Drew,
Just ran across your channel on UA-cam. Thumbs up...
I'm shopping for either a Prius V or a Lexus CT200h.
Any years that I should be aware of or should avoid?
Would you recommend purchasing a plugin vehicle diagnose device?
I found a private party selling what appears to be in very good condition a 2013 CT200h with 134k miles. This is a California car. This is the second owner and he claims that he has used a Lexus dealer for his maintenance.
I have not seen the car in person yet. The seller indicated that he would take $9500.
There's a lot there. Would you like to share your thoughts?
That open deck design is the same thing that contributed so hugely to the head gasket failures in the first-gen Subaru EJ25. _Ask Me How I Know_ Installing the turbo head gaskets on the NA engines would go a long way to solving the issue.
Is it worth the trouble to pre-emptively replace the HG on a 2ZR-FXE? Whoops, I see you answered that question already.
Hello! Depends on the person. Someone with the time and the know-how, why not?!? For me, it would be at first misfire
where are you located? could i bring my 07 to you for analysis?
I have a 2008 Prius.
If you buy one of these and it's NOT yet rattling, should you replace the head gasket pre-emptively?
That’s a tricky question. Yes it would be of benefit, but it’s decidedly cost prohibitive to do that preventively. If I owned one, the MOMENT I got the death rattle and verified head gasket, I’d do it. I wouldn’t even drive it that first day. But I wouldn’t do it preventatively I don’t think. It’s not a small job and there is a chance with good maintenance, it won’t happen until long after you’ve moved on from
The car
Gasket Master said when the egr system clogs up the engine pulls a higher vacuum on the intake manifold and that pulls more pcv gases and oil into the intake and then the oil control rings get clogged up and stuck. Carbon buildup in the combustion chamber puts more stress on the head gasket. Also when coolant gets old and acidic,it eats away at the head gasket and any other seals and gaskets. Bottom line clean your egr system and change that old acidic coolant. Also shorten your oil change intervals for cleaner oil to help keep rings cleaner. Otherwise yes this system is flawed and shame on Toyota 😢
Someone help me please should i buy one ?😢
There is actually a video on this channel that covers all the possible problems of a third generation Prius, and gives my professional and personal opinion, with 21 years of experience with Toyota behind it, whether or not it’s still a good purchase… videos like that, and other folks like myself that are very proficient with these vehicles can give you good information to make an informed decision… The random advice of random strangers might not lead you in the right direction than 50% of the time, with this, and other other things in life… Just some friendly wisdom :-)
dont, ive owned three....they have been the bane of my limited mechanical experience.....two out of three have the head gasket issue smh!!!
@@ibezag0it’s definitely a thing. I’d still own one (I made a video about why). I’d be prepared for the head gasket. Sometimes I wonder if there is a way to bulletproof them like a 6.0 ford diesel. Like preliminarily replace the head bolts with studs but I think based on what’s seen in this very video that there is more to the issue.
Just like the 6.0 ford, these prius are awesome outside of this issue.
@@DrewGarage now i buy a Prius 2010 with 127000km is this a good car ??
2016+ Gen4 are starting to fail as well. Its not a prius problem, its a hybrid problem.
I think this is grounds for a recall. Nobody should be in the mercy of this.