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DIY visual inspection for dummies

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 2009Prius, Jan 7, 2010.

  1. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    15K steering Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    I think I finally saw the steering stuff this time around. It's so well hidden inside the car that it's hard to imagine how it could be damaged. Some photos:

    #1531 - looking from the driver side - relatively easier to see
    [​IMG]

    #1532

    [​IMG]

    #1533
    [​IMG]

    #1534 - from passenger side - almost impossible to see
    [​IMG]
     
  2. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    15K exhaust Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    I saw some high heat spray primer and paint for the exhaust system and decided to give it a try and got it done back in August. I only did the tailpipe, the muffler and the piece of pipe upstream from it - those three seem to have rusted the worst.

    It looks OK so far and let's wait and see if it will last this coming winter. :cool: Some photos:
    #1541
    [​IMG]

    #1542
    [​IMG]

    #1543
    [​IMG]
     
  3. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    15K fluid levels Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies - New filter & Fluid levels

    Just to compare fluid levels:
    #1551
    [​IMG]



    #1552
    [​IMG]



    #1553
    [​IMG]
     
  4. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Homemade ramps Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    Haven't got a chance to show off my homemade ramps (4 of them) - might as well do it here. :D

    #1561
    [​IMG]

    #1562
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Re: 15K front brakes Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    If you take a look at the caliper, you may notice a hole in the center of it. That hole is intended to enable you to view the thickness of the inboard pad.

    Great photos, looks like your car is in excellent shape.

    I am particularly impressed by the photos of your muffler. How many miles were logged since you did the painting? Looks like your Prius could be entered into a car show, with mirrors placed to show off the clean appearance underneath.
     
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  6. gasmiser1

    gasmiser1 EV Wantabee

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    2009Prius: Nice pictures.

    Get some liquid silicon spray from Kragen/O'Riely Auto Parts to spray on the steering boots and all 4 CV boots. I spray/soak mine once a month or every 3,000 miles-whichever comes first. That will keep them from oxidizing and drying out :D

    My last Honda Insight had 289,000 on the orignial steering boots, CV and CV boots :)
     
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  7. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    Re: Homemade ramps Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    Great idea. You might consider a "stopper" strip at the forward edge of each ramp to alert you to not go too far when rolling up. Some chocks at the rear of the tires also are useful. :rolleyes:
     
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  8. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Re: Homemade ramps Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    Thanks! I will look for the hole next time and post photos.

    Uh, except the possible oil leak on the back of the engine block that I posted in a separate thread. I have wiped the area and have been watching to see if the oil droplets come back:
    [​IMG]


    Thanks! Only about 2K miles, and it hasn't seen winter yet - it may all peel after the winter - we will see. The wheel wells were much dirtier compared to last time - we have been getting more rain and the mud deposits form some interesting stripe patterns on the wheel well wall. I hope I will have time to do a quick spray before the winter comes.

    Thanks! Is there a particular brand of silicone spray you use? I was afraid that the solvent or oil used in the spray may actually attack the rubber, but your good experience with the Insight is worth considering - how many years for the 289K miles?

    Thanks! The "stopper" is on the endless "to do" list. And yes I do use chocks, either with ramps or jack lifts/stands.
     
  9. gasmiser1

    gasmiser1 EV Wantabee

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  10. QuiGonJohn

    QuiGonJohn Junior Member

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    How do you do these 2 items from the 30,000 mile maintenance?

    Check Automatic Transmission Fluid
    Check Steering Gear Box

    I did not see a Transmission Dip Stick and have no idea how to go about checking the Steering Gear Box.
     
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Transaxle ATF: it is necessary to remove the transaxle fill plug on the side of the transaxle facing the radiator, when the car is raised up and level. Insert your finger into the fill hole to see if you can feel the ATF. The spec is for the fluid level to be 0 - 5 mm from the bottom of the hole.

    Steering Gear Box: since the steering gear is electric, the only thing that needs to be checked is the condition of the steering gear rubber boots, if you don't notice any problems with the steering.
     
  12. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Re: Homemade ramps Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    Now it's about 6K miles since painted and a winter has passed.
    The other day while the car was up on the lift in the shop I managed to snap a picture before getting caught by the service adviser and being lectured on "insurance does not allow customer in shop". :nono: :redface:

    [​IMG]

    The paint seems to hold up better than I had expected. :D More pictures to come when I do the 20K service.
     
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Re: Homemade ramps Re: DIY visual inspection for dummies

    Looks good.
     
  14. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    20K mile photos

    Just rotated tires at 21232 miles and took a bunch of pictures. I am not going to repeat posting everything, just some new and interesting ones.

    Thanks to Patrick's instruction I finally learned to look through the small hole at the inside pads for the front brakes. They looked nice and thick but it's really difficult to take good pictures. Here are the best I could manage: right front brake:
    [​IMG]

    left front brake:
    [​IMG]

    The high heat paint on the muffler unfortunately has started to peel and also there are rusts showing through:
    [​IMG]

    The wheel wells had thick mud caking and I casually cleaned them a little bit: before:
    [​IMG]

    after:
    [​IMG]

    Before crawling under the car to take picture of the oil droplets under the ICE I stacked two of my home made solid wood ramps under the cross member as a backup for the jack stands:
    [​IMG]

    The leak is really slow. This is more than 2000 miles after the dealer wiped everything clean and put dye in the oil:
    [​IMG]

    My homemade wood+rubber pads for the jack stands and the jack:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     

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  15. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Engine water pump pulley

    The inside of the engine water pump pulley may be checked periodically for coolant leaks:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Re: Engine water pump pulley

    Is your engine coolant pump original equipment? If so, I am surprised to see the excess black sealant that oozed out at the seam. Usually the factory assembly results in a neater appearance. (This is strictly a cosmetic concern, no functional issue is involved.)
     
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  17. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Re: Engine water pump pulley

    Thanks for pointing it out. The timing chain cover was resealed by the dealer under warranty recently thus the excess sealant.
     
  18. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    Check out mine:
    I just did an approximately 45' shoot. Perhaps you have a diagram of where to shoot pictures of the car?
    This car is weird because I took pictures of it before and it looks different. There are chalks underneath before I went to have it clean at a car wash (noted: not at home since I am unsure of the water quality)
     

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  19. Ichiro

    Ichiro Member

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    Prius porn... thanks for the photos
     
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  20. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    30K inspection items

    Getting ready for 30K miles inspection. There are some new ones:

    __ Automatic transmission fluid
    __ Ball joints and dust covers
    __ Brake lines and hoses
    __ Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs
    __ Drive shaft boots
    __ Engine/Inverter coolant
    __ Exhaust pipes and mountings
    __ Front differential oil
    __ Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band
    and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
    __ Fuel tank cap gasket
    __ Radiator, condenser and/or intercooler
    __ Steering gear box
    __ Steering linkage and boot

    I plan on changing the ATF. But if we don't change it and only check the level, should we use a new washer? I saved the old washers from last fluid change and couldn't tell the difference from new ones. On the other hand why risk it for just a $1 washer?

    Where do I look for the front differential oil and the fuel stuff?

    I suppose I just look at the radiator and condenser for obvious leaks or do I need pressure gauges hooked up to measure things?

    Thanks in advance for all the help.