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Why?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Wolfstar, Apr 15, 2014.

  1. Wolfstar

    Wolfstar Junior Member

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    Why does my 2010 Prius have a harmonic balancer that is designed for a serpentine belt when the car does not have one?

    Silly question, please discuss...
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what it is?
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  4. Wolfstar

    Wolfstar Junior Member

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    But why is the outer portion of the harmonic balancer on my Prius
    machined to accept a serpentine belt...
     
  5. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Did they just re-use an existing part, rather than create a whole new one?
     
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  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I suspect it is cheaper for Toyota to carry one part number than two part numbers. They certainly use the engine block in many cars.
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine
     
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    How about, why couldn't the OP come up with a more descriptive thread title? :p

    SCH-I535
     
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  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    That would be my guess. If they already have a vendor or vendors that create them in mass? Why create a whole new part that needs to be produced? 99.9% of the people are never going to know, or care that The Prius's harmonic balancer is machined to accept a serpentine belt it doesn't even have....

    If it works...it works...
     
  9. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    So you can run a supercharger? ;)

    SCH-I535
     
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  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    The title is perfect to ensure you read it. ;)
    This has been brought up before. Not sure if a search would find it though.

    The belt part is there for sure to avoid making another part. The engine in the Prius is used in other Toyotas with some different parts to give a longer stroke/sudo Atkinson cycle. I suspect you would find the part number of the balancer the same as in a Corolla, for example.
     
  11. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    Thats for the optional front PTO used for supporting Kubota implements including front loader, snowblower, blade, and rotary sweeper.
     
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  12. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    It has grooves 'cause it's in a groovy car. :p
     
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  13. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Inertia.
    One part. Several cars.
    Some of these cars require belts.

    Why the wonder?
    Now....if you want to wonder about something in a G3-II, ask why there is a photocell on the dash under the smoked plastic cover for a car that lacks automatic headlamps. :)
     
  14. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Are you sure that's not the sun load sensor for the HVAC system?
     
  15. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Could be....
    After all they probably have a vehicle tilt compensator for the fuel gauge.
    A gauge that does not measure the bottom 20-percent of the tank! :eek:
     
  16. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Ok, I did some checking and couldn't find a sun load sensor, so that should be the light sensor. There's an interior temp sensor under the start button.
     
  17. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    If its a light sensor, what does it do in the dark? (n)
     
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  18. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    My Prius has a rain sensor. If it determines there is a chance of rain that day, it refuses to leave my garage [​IMG]

    Mike
     
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  19. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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  20. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I like that blower idea [​IMG]

    Mike
     
  21. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

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    And here I thought it was equipped with a light sensor that wouldn't let it even start unless it detected 15 hours and 30 minutes or more of daylight :D