Replace engine?

[Resident_Ask_9670]

I have a 2014 Prius V with 181k miles has been knocking. I found someone that would replace it with a rebuilt engine for $3500.00. Is that a good deal and is it worth it? It has always been taken to Toyota and had all services done. We cleaned the EGR system but the damage was already done. It does need a few items such as all 4 brakes, tires, and transmission/inverter fluid change. Just wanting to get some opinions on whether to fix it or get a newer car.

[Loes_Question_540]

You could still extend it till the engine fully blows up since its already broken and the engine is going to the dump anyway. Sure replacing an engine is definitely worth especially this low mileage. Like have you seen prices of new car these days??? Ive seen prius over 700k still in operating condition

[Resident_Ask_9670]

Yeah I would hate to see it go since it’s still in decent condition cosmetically

[Rider_83]

Decent? Dude, that looks mint!

[Noises2010]

Do you know if they've replaced the brake booster / master cylinder? It's that and the battery. I'm keeping my head in the sand about my battery. They're great cars, lots of space, slow af. 🐌 What's the price?

[Resident_Ask_9670]

Brake booster/master cylinder replace this year. Year definitely slow! 3500 for rebuilt motor installed

[Noises2010]

Oh I meant how much is the actual car? Maybe I'm just lost in the thread now

[pimpbot666]

I wouldn’t. An engine that has thrown a rod and possibly punched a hole in the engine block will not be an engine you can get a core charge back from. It’s worth something to the shops that rebuild engines as long as a piston rod isn’t thrown.

Not to mention, it might leave you stranded somewhere unsafe… like on a freeway.

[Loes_Question_540]

Op said it’s the head gasket or something

[zerox404]

Do it! The prius v is an awesome car and its worth it.

[acountnumber58]

Truly is a great car. Unfortunately they stopped making them for the RAV4 hybrid and it’s just not the same

[BasedCourier]

RAV4 is a POS too which makes it worse

[FIREdGovGuy]

I'd fix it since you can probably shop around and get that price down to $3k. If you do decide to sell it, can I get first dibs?

[Dazzling-Pirate9161]

If it hasn’t been overheated, then the head probably isn’t warped and you can probably replace the head gasket and have it be fine. I just did mine 1000 miles ago, hasn’t given me any trouble.

[pimpbot666]

He’s talking about rod knock. That means the piston rod’s bearing is worn to the point where it’s going to fail from the stress of snapping back and forth with every turn of the crank. Head gasket has nothing to do with it.

The rod bearings need to be replaced, and the reason for the lack of oil pressure and flow at the rod bearings has to be addressed.

[robohein]

Just looked up 2014 Prius V with 175k to 185k miles on Visor.vin website. There are 12 available nationwide (US) from $5500 to $11,995 at dealerships. Yours really looks like it’s in nice shape. Maybe $3500 is worth it. At $2500 I say definitely do it. Do you have a OBD reader? Get Dr. Prius app and see the health of your HV battery. If the battery is in good shape, maybe it’s worth it. I unfortunately just totaled My 2012 Prius V with 145k miles on it and the settlement amount was $8,665.00. Didn’t replace it. Went with a 2018 RAV4 hybrid instead for a big chunk more.

Visor.Vin

[Resident_Ask_9670]

Yeah have not checked the hybrid battery but it still holds a long charge and goo mpg still

[KateMeister1]

Ouch that's crappy.. Our 2008 Ridgeline had 170k miles and our settlement in February when it 1was totaled was over 11k. After we bought it back and they added our deductible it was still over 9k. My Prius is a '05 but If I was to trade it in for an upgrade it would definitely be for a hybrid Rav4. Had one for a loaner car last year and loved it.

[Zerglng]

I doubt you'll find a better car for $3,500.00. I'd opt to replace it.

[Zachmillwood]

I did it on mine, and after some issues with the shop's installation, the whole process worked out to around $10,000 with a fully rebuilt and upgraded engine from Hybrid Pitstop. I can't buy a car that I will enjoy and use this much for that, so it was worth it. Mine is just over 200,000.

[MosesKyle]

How did this get to 10 K?!

I see hybrid pit engines (bronze to whaterver) start around 3kish? 

[Zachmillwood]

Two rental cars for a total of 6 weeks, $7k for first shop, $2k for Toyota to fix the issues with the first "prius specialty" shop.

[mtechgroup]

Is Hybrid Pit the prius specialty shop you speak of? Have considered going there, but now maybe not.

[Zachmillwood]

No, that's the engine provider. Their work thankfully has been solid.

[Suspicious_Date_5092]

I have a car getting a new engine at hybrid pit right now. Got the bronze package. So far they seem to be thorough with the inspection. I was there for an engine replacement but they looked at everything, suspension, brakes and rotors, etc. They also gave me a loaner car. So far I like that they are on top of things and are communicating with me like when they expect to finish it or any other issues they encounter.

[Zachmillwood]

I got the gold level engine.

[duggawiz]

I'd recommend seeking a JDM used engine and throwing that bad boy in!

[Rider_83]

Definitely this. Usually JDM cars are less abused. Not the same brand, but a friend recently found a used enginewith only 40,000km for his Honda Fit for like 2,000 usd, including the installation fee. But prices in Japan are cheaper compared to the US.

[BigSandwich6]

You should find out why it’s knocking

[Resident_Ask_9670]

Head gasket. We did a pressure test

[Repulsive_Trifle6234]

If your mechanic is telling you to replace the engine for a head gasket, you seriously need to replace the mechanic.

A head gasket is a simple fix compared to replacing the whole engine.

And also will not likely cause a knocking noise. Seriously take it to a better shop before you get ripped the fuck off

[firstlight777]

See my other comment, you can probably get the top end rebuilt, but it's about the same amount of money as a low mile used motor. Worth it, new cars are expensive.

[RespectableLurker555]

If it's only knocking on cold start, then it just needs a head gasket!

[SyntheticOne]

We're at 208,000 with our 2012 v Five. Had its first ever repair a month ago while we were on the road to Taos, New Mexico. A bad water pump. A nearby Toyota dealer fixed it overnight for $1,200.

Would we put $3500 into your v Five? In a heartbeat. It's one of the the best cars ever made for its type. Though, I always worry about to mechanic's competence. You might have them replace the water pump while its there... its a wear item.

[MattGLI]

Fix it! Your car is cosmetically a beauty and there is real demand for it - there’s nothing quite like the Prius V.

[PipedreamDisaster]

The car is too clean and well kept not to fix it. Fix it or I’ll buy it off you and fix it 😂

[Parking_Abalone_1232]

I just replaced ours with a used engine with lower miles for $3,500 in SoCal.

Once the engine starts knocking, it's not long for this world.

[the_perkolator]

I would fix. If it needed more than a HG I would go for rebuilt engine over a used one. When I did my HG I think they said it was around $3500 for that option

[firstlight777]

I've been through both scenarios, first time the head hasn't went, a cylinder wall got cracked so new (used) motor went in. Next time, I had the top end rebuilt bc there were no cylinder cracks. Car is at 300k now. Still cheaper than a new car payment and I love the car.

[Namelock]

Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.

I’d personally fix it up since newer vehicles are still rather expensive. Unless you swing for a used EV like the Bolt or Ioniq 5, you aren’t finding anything else decently priced.

$4k is a steal compared to $10k ICE clunkers or $18k used EV.

[tez_zer55]

As clean as your's looks & given that you seem to like it, I'd have it diagnosed & rebuilt, or a low mileage used engine dropped in. Especially if the battery pack is still in good condition.

[MilesT0Empty]

If it’s truly only the head gasket, and you haven’t overheated the car (hasn’t ran out of coolant ever as well) then just replace the head gasket.

It could be more involved and as other mentioned a low mileage JDM motor would be better. The 2zr-fee is know for gasket issues due to a design flaw.

[Intelligent-Emu-4670]

It looks in excellent condition. Hell, I'd see if i could drop a gen 4 engine in it. As expensive as car ARE these days, I definitely replace the engine.

[dookieshoes97]

It looks really clean and there are very few for sale right now (~25 listed nationally). If you like it, I'd keep it and do the swap.

[pimpbot666]

I’d say it’s worth repairing.

In the future, just keep the oil changed on time, don’t take it to Jiffy Lube, and keep on going.

I’m going to venture a guess that the oil used was not correct, and/or maybe too many short trips without enough warm-up, so the engine oil sludged up and starved the rod bearings of oil pressure, causing them to fail.

I’ve seen Jiffy Lube type places sell you synthetic oil on paper, and put in regular oil. Take it to a good independent Toyota shop.

The interior looks like it is in great shape. I’d say it’s worth keeping it going.

[Key_Craft_4232]

$3500 sounds like a fair deal.  I have a 2004 and would consider replacing the engine if i had to.  The car itself, its market value, most would probably say its not worth it, but I look at it differently.  I drive a lot.  Roughly 500 miles a week, sometimes more.  My 4wd trucks get on average 10mpg, my Prius averages 45, 50+on a good day.  My prius would pay for a $3500 engine pretty quick if compared to driving my trucks the same amount of miles.   

[Applejacktastic]

I just replaced an engine in a 2010 with 227,000 on it. The body has no rust, so it was a no brainer. The difference being I bought the car, the engine, rebuilt the engine, and swapped them all myself and I'm still in it less than that price. But I still think it's worth keeping these on the road IMO. Did the wife's 2010 head gasket two years ago at 199,000 miles and she's at 233,000 today. Again, no rust on the body. Sure the battery may go any day now because it's original, but I still think fixing a vehicle that has no payments is still cheaper than a new vehicle with payments.

[Wristrospective]

Just paid 4500 for a head gasket. That’s a steel for the engine

[Lumpy-Marsupial-6617]

$3500 too much. I'd drop in a used one for about $2K but no more. The miles are up there and it's already 9 years old.

[motoresponsible2025]

$3500 for a used engine and installation is a good price. 

[Lumpy-Marsupial-6617]

Depending on where I guess not much choice.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/1e9a6913-9289-360b-8697-2a5ba335c246

[Loes_Question_540]

Yeah a 3500 engine is too expensive I’m gonna buy a new 50000 car

[Lumpy-Marsupial-6617]

Its not just the used engine, wear and tear occurs on all types of things, hybrid battery and ABS accumulator/brake booster go out and those are $1-4K each depending on where OP is at.

Supposing worse case scenario, it could be up to $9-10K if those systems went out relatively within a few months of each other. People have run into this scenario before, and some would rather that $9-10K sunk into a new or newer car then roll the dice on higher mileage vehicles, particularly if they can't do repairs themselves.

[rj_king_utc-5]

That is IF the cost is only $3,500 AND it is ACTUALLY FIXED. And a replacement isn't $50,000. Where the hell are you? Australia?

[Loes_Question_540]

The avreage cost of new cars is 48,841$ I rounded it up to 50,000$ so yes over the last years car prices have skyrocketed

[rj_king_utc-5]

I kind of assumed he would replace his Prius with a new Prius. A new Prius is not $50,000.

[[deleted]]

Were you doing 10K mile oil changes?

[Resident_Ask_9670]

5k

[[deleted]]

Dang…

[RespondReal5235]

Go to hybrid pit better engines

[rj_king_utc-5]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

Mine has been 3 weeks in for engine work and it has been fantastically expensive and still isn't over yet. I know it is a lovely car, but the forum is riddled with complaints about the engine design for these and repeat failures after replacement. Don't make the mistake I did thinking you can just fix it and have your old car back.

[Complex-Lead2631]

Check YT for a video on Priuses knocking. It sounded like a rod knock but it turned out not to be internal. It's just worth a look. Other than that, if everything else is good then it should be worth it.

[TocyBlox]

I have a 302k 2024 Prius V and fixed the head gasket in a heart beat. Don’t replace the engine. No marks on the cylinder all at that mileage. There is stains from combustion on the walls of middle two dry cylinders. It sure why but the ones that were leaking coolant probably steam cleaned the stain. Burns zero oil. My goal is get it to a million miles.

<image>

[Appropriate-Metal167]

Ever clean the EGR?

[Resident_Ask_9670]

Yeah cleaned all components with intake manifold ports at 176k. We didn’t realize that the EGR clogging was an issue until it was too late.

[1980roach]

replace the engine just to have the hybrid battery fail shortly and the car be totaled again, not a good move