Coolant pump check

bredekamp · 05-17-2008, 05:55 AM

How can I check that my coolant storage pump is working correctly? After I switch off the car there's no sound from the engine bay. After about a minute I hear a brief sucking noise followed by a buzzing. Is that the brake vacuum pump or the heat storage pump? What does it sound like?

In the left wheelwell there is the sound of a pump humming in IG-ON mode. There's also a pipe going into the wheelwell/bumper area that is hot and gently vibrates when I feel it. That it?

Patrick Wong · 05-17-2008, 07:13 AM

I believe that the engine coolant heat recovery system is a feature that is installed in North American Prius only. I've attached a couple of exploded parts diagrams; if you want to look for these parts you'll probably have to remove the fender liner beneath the front left fender (aka driver's side in North America). That pump only runs for a few seconds after the car is turned off and various logical tests have been passed.

The buzzing sound is probably the brake pressure accumulator pump.

The pump that you hear running when the car is IG-ON is the inverter coolant pump.

bredekamp · 05-17-2008, 11:06 AM

Patrick wrote:" I believe that the engine coolant heat recovery system is a feature that is installed in North American Prius only."

Can someone confirm?

ken1784 · 05-17-2008, 11:39 AM

Yes. The coolant heat recovery system is for the NA Prius only.

Ken@Japan

bredekamp · 05-17-2008, 11:40 AM

Oh!?

but, but....why? Strict emissions laws?

qbee42 · 05-17-2008, 11:46 AM

Yes. Emission laws are the reason we get the coolant thermos, and why we don't get the EV button.

Tom

priusuk2008 · 05-17-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbee42

Yes. Emission laws are the reason we get the coolant thermos, and why we don't get the EV button.

Tom

...and height adjustable seats

bredekamp · 05-17-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by priusuk2008

...and height adjustable seats

Toyota giveth and Toyota taketh away.

priusuk2008 · 05-17-2008, 01:47 PM

Hey bredekamp, we used to live in Plumstead but left in '02. How many Prius do you know of in Cape Town, apart from yours?

bredekamp · 05-17-2008, 02:01 PM

On average I see another Prius about once every two weeks. They seem to be quite rare. I drove behind one going to work last week. I know there's another one up the road, but its' a 2005. Incidentally I test drove that one when I was looking to buy, but the mileage was high and the owner wanted too much.

05-17-2008, 05:55 AM	#1
bredekamp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset West, South Africa Posts: 322 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Coolant pump check How can I check that my coolant storage pump is working correctly? After I switch off the car there's no sound from the engine bay. After about a minute I hear a brief sucking noise followed by a buzzing. Is that the brake vacuum pump or the heat storage pump? What does it sound like? In the left wheelwell there is the sound of a pump humming in IG-ON mode. There's also a pipe going into the wheelwell/bumper area that is hot and gently vibrates when I feel it. That it? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by bredekamp; 05-17-2008 at 06:13 AM. Reason: xtra info

05-17-2008, 11:06 AM	#3
bredekamp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset West, South Africa Posts: 322 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Coolant pump check Patrick wrote:" I believe that the engine coolant heat recovery system is a feature that is installed in North American Prius only." Can someone confirm?

05-17-2008, 11:39 AM	#4
ken1784 SuperMID designer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yokohama, JAPAN Posts: 1,248 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: G Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	Re: Coolant pump check Yes. The coolant heat recovery system is for the NA Prius only. Ken@Japan

05-17-2008, 11:40 AM	#5
bredekamp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset West, South Africa Posts: 322 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Coolant pump check Oh!? but, but....why? Strict emissions laws?

05-17-2008, 11:46 AM	#6
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 4,596 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	Re: Coolant pump check Yes. Emission laws are the reason we get the coolant thermos, and why we don't get the EV button. Tom

05-17-2008, 01:47 PM	#9
priusuk2008 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CAMBRIDGESHIRE Posts: 199 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: T Spirit Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Coolant pump check Hey bredekamp, we used to live in Plumstead but left in '02. How many Prius do you know of in Cape Town, apart from yours?

05-17-2008, 02:01 PM	#10
bredekamp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset West, South Africa Posts: 322 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Coolant pump check On average I see another Prius about once every two weeks. They seem to be quite rare. I drove behind one going to work last week. I know there's another one up the road, but its' a 2005. Incidentally I test drove that one when I was looking to buy, but the mileage was high and the owner wanted too much.

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