Radiator Issue

Prakash · 02-13-2007, 07:20 PM

I recently had an incident with my Prius 2004, and fortunately everything was covered by the Insurance Company. The repairs have been done, and there down to one last thing.

My mechanic told me they had to replace a Canister in the front left; I believe it has something to do with the radiator. (I am not quite clear on what exactly the part is) In any case I assume the canister has something to do with the radiator. The mechanic told me he has to get air out of the canister to prevent the engine from overheating. He went on to say it has a sort of pressure cap on the top that he has to use to remove excess air in the engine which is causing the engine to overheat.

Is anyone aware of what in the heck I am talking about? I will edit this post when I understand the issue more thoroughly. If any one understand this please h elp me out, thank you.

Tempus · 02-13-2007, 07:30 PM

Sounds like the "Thermos" to me.

I don't have the diagram handy but the NA Prius has an insulated bottle that stores hot coolant when the car is stopped and uses it on startup to decrease warmup time and thus decrease emissions.

Prakash · 02-13-2007, 07:36 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Feb 13 2007, 08:30 PM) [snapback]389852[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Sounds like the "Thermos" to me.

I don't have the diagram handy but the NA Prius has an insulated bottle that stores hot coolant when the car is stopped and uses it on startup to decrease warmup time and thus decrease emissions.
[/b]

Can air get stuck in it?(Thermos) And at the same I suppose be successfully removed.

galaxee · 02-13-2007, 08:03 PM

it's a PITA to bleed air out of that coolant system... it's a bit tricky. so yes, what you're being told makes sense.

Prakash · 02-13-2007, 08:21 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 13 2007, 09:03 PM) [snapback]389865[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

it's a PITA to bleed air out of that coolant system... it's a bit tricky. so yes, what you're being told makes sense.
[/b]

That is the exact terminology used by the company, "bleeding out the air." Furthermore, he said it was indeed tricky. In fact, he said on one day he spent half a day just bleeding the air out because he had to turn on the engine, and what not -and at the same time not put too much stress on the engine, as a result of the process.

Will this effect performance, or should I assume that once all the air has been taken out I won't have to worry about the potential of overheating?

Once again I appreciate the help.

-

Prakash · 02-13-2007, 09:38 PM

Will this effect performance, or should I assume that once all the air has been taken out I won't have to worry about the potential of overheating?

Do any one know the answer to this question? (this is pertaining ofcoarse to the thermos)

jayman · 02-13-2007, 10:32 PM

It sounds like the thermos was replaced. Please do not drive the car until the system is properly bled by a Toyota hybrid-certified mechanic. You risk catastrophic, espensive damage to the inverter/converter and the gasoline motor.

galaxee · 02-13-2007, 11:12 PM

yep, once they get the air outta there you're back in business.

but as jayman points out, the best people to do this would be the toyota techs at a dealership, especially since the guy already spent half the day messing with it and still hasn't gotten it.

in fact, go ahead and *insist* that the toyota shop does it. it's the best way to be sure all the air is out. it's too complex and too important to not be completely sure.

Prakash · 02-13-2007, 11:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 14 2007, 12:12 AM) [snapback]389985[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

yep, once they get the air outta there you're back in business.

but as jayman points out, the best people to do this would be the toyota techs at a dealership, especially since the guy already spent half the day messing with it and still hasn't gotten it.

in fact, go ahead and *insist* that the toyota shop does it. it's the best way to be sure all the air is out. it's too complex and too important to not be completely sure.
[/b]

I guess I should have referred to my mechanic as the local Hybrid Toyota Tech guy at Toyota, same guy that spent half a day bleeding it.

galaxee · 02-13-2007, 11:59 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prakash @ Feb 13 2007, 11:43 PM) [snapback]390008[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I guess I should have referred to my mechanic as the local Hybrid Toyota Tech guy at Toyota, same guy that spent half a day bleeding it.
[/b]

...oh.

sorry to hear that.

realistically we're talking 20 min if you're lucky (or know wtf you're doing) to 45 min on average. in case of FUBAR... 2 hours.

does the guy know where the valve is? there's a nice layout in the repair manual describing how to do this...

02-13-2007, 07:20 PM	#1
Prakash Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 78 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I recently had an incident with my Prius 2004, and fortunately everything was covered by the Insurance Company. The repairs have been done, and there down to one last thing. My mechanic told me they had to replace a Canister in the front left; I believe it has something to do with the radiator. (I am not quite clear on what exactly the part is) In any case I assume the canister has something to do with the radiator. The mechanic told me he has to get air out of the canister to prevent the engine from overheating. He went on to say it has a sort of pressure cap on the top that he has to use to remove excess air in the engine which is causing the engine to overheat. Is anyone aware of what in the heck I am talking about? I will edit this post when I understand the issue more thoroughly. If any one understand this please h elp me out, thank you. __________________ -Prius 2004 -Driftwood Pearl -Package #4 -S-Type Seat Covers -Sirius Sat. Radio -Coastal Tech's Ultimate LockPick 1 -Toyota Previa 1995 -Cadet Blue Metallic -4cyl. - Super Charged "In the desert, you can't remember your name 'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain. La, La ...."

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02-13-2007, 07:30 PM	#2
Tempus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,693 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Sounds like the "Thermos" to me. I don't have the diagram handy but the NA Prius has an insulated bottle that stores hot coolant when the car is stopped and uses it on startup to decrease warmup time and thus decrease emissions.

02-13-2007, 08:03 PM	#4
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	it's a PITA to bleed air out of that coolant system... it's a bit tricky. so yes, what you're being told makes sense.

02-13-2007, 09:38 PM	#6
Prakash Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 78 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Will this effect performance, or should I assume that once all the air has been taken out I won't have to worry about the potential of overheating? Do any one know the answer to this question? (this is pertaining ofcoarse to the thermos)

02-13-2007, 10:32 PM	#7
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 11,566 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 35 Thanked 185 Times in 168 Posts Friends: 12	It sounds like the thermos was replaced. Please do not drive the car until the system is properly bled by a Toyota hybrid-certified mechanic. You risk catastrophic, espensive damage to the inverter/converter and the gasoline motor.

02-13-2007, 11:12 PM	#8
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	yep, once they get the air outta there you're back in business. but as jayman points out, the best people to do this would be the toyota techs at a dealership, especially since the guy already spent half the day messing with it and still hasn't gotten it. in fact, go ahead and insist that the toyota shop does it. it's the best way to be sure all the air is out. it's too complex and too important to not be completely sure.