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Coolant testing

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ZFORCE, Jan 31, 2011.

  1. ZFORCE

    ZFORCE Junior Member

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    Hi all
    My 04 was due for its 160km service, when I rang the dealer they wanted over $1000 for a service. :eek: So understandably I shopped around and found a local service chain that would do it for considerably less. Now here comes the problem...

    During my post service inspection I noticed road grit and sand in and around the plastic pins that hold down the cover that goes over the radiator and covers the inverter bleed valve, it appears this cover hadn't been removed during service.

    OK, well the sand could have happened on the drive home, so I removed that cover and inspected the bleed valve, it does not appear to have been touched, it is dusty, the rubber cap is dry and brittle and there is no fluid in or around it.

    So from what I can tell, they have not changed the inverter coolant, or worse, they have changed it and not bled the system. Now I can't hear any tone changes from the pump or see any bubbles in the tank. All I'm doing is speculating at this point, is there a definitive way I can tell if the coolant has or hasn't been changed?

    BTW, it will be getting changed again soon, thanks to this forum I found out about the inverter pump recall. The same recall that Toyota Australia forgot to tell me about, the dealer claims Toyota didn't have my address, but Toyota sent me the notice about the steering recall and the battery warranty.

    Is everyone in this world out to screw everyone else? or do they see me coming or something?
     
    #1 ZFORCE, Jan 31, 2011
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    It sounds like the inverter coolant was not replaced based upon your observation that the bleed valve was left untouched. However, unless your "local service chain" specializes in Toyota hybrids, you are probably better off that the mechanic left the inverter coolant system alone. There's some chance the job would have been performed poorly if the mechanic was not trained on how to do it. If your service invoice shows an itemized charge for the inverter coolant it would be reasonable for you to ask for a refund for that item.

    Was the engine coolant replaced, and if so was the correct Toyota Super Long Life Coolant used (pink color)?

    Is it possible that Toyota Australia has not implemented the inverter coolant pump recall yet? Have other Prius owners in that country received notification letters?
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jan 31, 2011
  3. ZFORCE

    ZFORCE Junior Member

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    The radiator coolant looks pink in colour, the invoice says "160,000 KLM Manufacturers log book service" Nothing more than that other than Brake wear report.

    I called the dealer and they have confirmed that my car is part of the recall. So the inverter coolant will be changed by a dealer next week sometime. I'd prefer the coolant to not be changed rather than attempted and screwed up.
     
    #3 ZFORCE, Jan 31, 2011
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just out of curiosity, if you don't mind sharing, where did you wind up for 160km service, what did they claim to do and how much did it cost?:)
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 31, 2011
  5. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    It is possible, if not preferred, to bleed the inverter cooling system using an AirLift, a device that creates partial vacuum in the cooling system in order to fill the entire loop with fluid. There would be no need to touch the bleeder screw in that case. But, if you don't see turbulence in the IC reservoir, which would look like a moving stream rather than bubbles, then there is air in the system.
     
    #5 seilerts, Jan 31, 2011
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