Courier CT update: 460k miles and a few issues
I decided to update you guys at this point as I have just left the car with my mechanic today for a job that I hope will solve my two big issues. I also decided to make a new thread because I have been following these issues on multiple threads here and over at PriusChat. It is much easier to just make a thread here and one there and update them as needed.
Ok, so the two major things going on with my car right now are as follows:
For those of you who clean the EGR system yourselves, he did say he uses an old speedometer cable (steel) which he uses on a power drill to get deep inside stuff for cleaning along with carburetor cleaner sprayed inside first, in case this helps any of you. Other than that, other issues I have are as follows:
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Update: I have been very busy and didn't have enough time to write an update.
The car was done the very next day. I was told that cleaning the intake turned out to be extremely time-consuming, and would cost far more than a new one, so I had the new one put in. EGR valve was cleaned, but the EGR cooler was a nightmare so we left that alone until it needs to be replaced. With the new intake and the EGR valve cleaned up, here's what happened: The rough running noise on low speed driving and light acceleration is flat out gone. I can even hear the intake noise when pushing the car, which I don't recall ever hearing, except maybe when the car was new? It's been 4.5 years, I can't remember. The noise almost sounds like exhaust noise, so it was definitely unusual. Also, no more CELs. Here's a picture of each cylinder port on my old intake. You can see how each one is more gunked up in the little hole the EGR is connected to than the last cylinder port. The least gunked up one is cylinder 1, and on and on to the highest gunked hole, which is cylinder 4 (hence the consistent but intermittent cylinder 4 P0304 code): https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...026ae32eb8.jpg 1 https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...d5552d6cb5.jpg 2 https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...1ec1069e8f.jpg 3 https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...0d004e67b6.jpg 4 |
At this point, my 462k mile CT is running like new again. One head gasket blown (375k), some parts replaced just for reliability's sake and some for being worn (375k), and another issue with these cars taken care of (the manifold issue above) (461k), and I'm back to normal running with zero outstanding issues.
As per E46CT's inquiry on how the car looks after 462k miles, I made two quick videos showing the exterior and interior after a car wash. Also threw in a picture of the only original wheel I have on the car (in one accident where someone forced me into a concrete barrier at highway speed, I had two replaced and one repaired). The picture shows what happens to your wheels after constant tire rotations. Wheel picture: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...8e3938e275.jpg Video of exterior: Video of interior: |
I noticed your navigation knob is a wheel. Mine is a mouse, was there an option for that?
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Models with factory navigation have a square controller. This car has display audio (no navigation) and includes the round wheel controller.
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Your car looks really good, especially for 460k. Surprised there's not more wear on the steering wheel, but then also not surprised since mine looks pretty new too (for a 4 year old car)
Very nice to have a data point re the intake. Honestly i'd probably just replace the intake and EGR cooler with brand new ones when comes time... maybe 100k-150k? I can do the work myself. Glad to see and hear your car is running like new. I think with a smaller engine, things are just more bound to get plugged up with carbon and soot faster. I wonder if an occasional sea foam treatment for the intake could help things. or just good old fashioned pull the intake and clean it /soak it in carbon cleaner and reinstall with new intake gaskets. I might do this as a weekend job at some point. but i'm only at 45k.. so maybe not for a while. lol. |
Incredible shape for the mileage. Congrats. Did the repair remove any considerations about buying a new car?
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Originally Posted by RXGS
(Post 10475539)
Incredible shape for the mileage. Congrats. Did the repair remove any considerations about buying a new car?
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Glad you're keeping the CT. see how far you can go.
I wonder if knowing what you know now, if this hybrid/engine combo can run longer than 400k if you keep the intake and EGR clean? I wonder if you have any theories or anything you'd do differently this time around. Still keeping the same OCIs? 400k is still impressive for any ICE-based machine. |
is that the factory driver's side floor mat? surprised you haven't worn a hole through it yet
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Originally Posted by E46CT
(Post 10476073)
Glad you're keeping the CT. see how far you can go.
I wonder if knowing what you know now, if this hybrid/engine combo can run longer than 400k if you keep the intake and EGR clean? I wonder if you have any theories or anything you'd do differently this time around. Still keeping the same OCIs? 400k is still impressive for any ICE-based machine. As far as the intake goes, I would probably wait till I start hearing noise or getting CEL codes before replacing/cleaning. Just me, since I drive so much and don't have time to take my car apart for this sort of thing. As far as the head gasket, I'm not sure what I can do to prevent it, if there's anything at all. If I notice more than normal violent engine vibrations on cold starts, I plan to have the engine checked for coolant or oil leaking into the cylinders again, and see if I can't stop the head gasket from blowing somehow. But yes, it does sound that as long as I prevent these two issues from happening, I should be able to run a long time. Over at PriusChat, someone posted this link: https://lusciousgarage.com/blog/prius_taxi_repair/ Obviously these could be any generation, but it does seem like they see all sorts of issues, and well before 300k it seems. At this point I'm not sure what else I'll run into...I'm worried about the transmission, but honestly isn't not that expensive to replace. I think I will be fine if I address these issues early now that I know what to look for, and look forward to keeping this CT alive as long as I can even though all sorts of cool cars and trucks are on the horizon. :D
Originally Posted by ltsr
(Post 10476379)
is that the factory driver's side floor mat? surprised you haven't worn a hole through it yet
Here are two pictures so you guys can see it up close... https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...5b8777a02a.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...5f67c09d32.jpg |
Wow you take great care of your ride. It looks phenominal. Most impressive is the minimal damage to the front end (is this a city car?), the minimal wear on the driver bolsters, steering wheel, and arm rest. The carpet is also something else. Great job!
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Originally Posted by MrBooby
(Post 10481291)
Wow you take great care of your ride. It looks phenominal. Most impressive is the minimal damage to the front end (is this a city car?), the minimal wear on the driver bolsters, steering wheel, and arm rest. The carpet is also something else. Great job!
The front end is protected by paint protection film, so that helps it look new. I've had minor hits with debris and wrecks (bumper was never replaced if I recall correctly), and had to replace the grill and L emblem once, both fenders, and I think one headlight. Hood is also still factory. To answer your question, it is now driven 10% on city streets, 90% is highway. Before that, same route, just more like 25% city, 75% highway. |
Hi! I'm new here and just bought a 2014 CT! I love that your posts show how reliable this should be for me. I do have a question though. As per this TSB from Lexus, I can see that at least as far as my VIN goes, I should not run into the intake manifold/rough idle when cold issue. Does your VIN fall before or after their supposed change in their production part use?
Can't figure out how to upload a PDF, but its the first PDF linked to in this post. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...cold-soak.html Thanks! Seeing everyone's posts on this forum really helped me make my decision of buying the CT! |
I wouldn't necessarily think if you're 2014 and above, you're necessarily out of the woods completely. I believe these mechanical changes mitigate the problem, but not completely eliminate its potential. If you live in a warm climate, it may help, and if you are good about oil changes using SN PLUS designated oil, that would help as well.
Here are MY changes I posted in another thread: Engine Differences through the years 2014 saw a revised intake manifold. 2014 saw revised pistons 2015 saw revised piston ring sets (to protect against oil loss and blow by) 2015 saw revised intake cam gear to reduce rattle on startup __________________ |
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