Updated Inverter Coolant Pump?

I'm not aware that there is any improvement in the inverter coolant pump design when compared to the pumps being installed in the prior recall campaign. As far as I can tell, the point of the recall is to remove an old pump with a short service life and replace it with a new pump (that also has a short service life.)

The original pump on my 2004 lasted 80K miles and I replaced it as a preventive measure. The second pump lasted ~60K miles and failed, so that car now has a third pump. It is unclear how long the original pump would have lasted if it was not changed out.

I doubt that we can expect any improvement in the coolant pump design since the 2G model has been out of production for 3+ years. I would expect that Toyota's engineering resources are focused on the 4G Prius development as well as derivatives to the Prius line.

Its up to you to decide whether you want to wait until the end of the recall campaign or not. However, since your car is 5 years old, I would suggest you replace the pump prior to the next summer season.

 

Toyota says the reason for the latest recall on the coolant pump is not to replace with a different design but to replace with with a pump that has not been damaged in production.

The production method was altered to stop the insulation on the motor winding being damaged during production on some pumps causing two different failure modes.

The first failure mode was the winding corroding and going open circuit causing the pump to stop and the inverter to overheat.

The second failure mode is the motor winding shorting together blowing the pump fuse that also supplies the power distribution ECU instantly shutting down the car. So the pump is the same but should have the possibility of faulty winding eliminated.

John (Britprius)

 

They are under no obligation to replace the SLLC. I would imagine they just clamp the hoses off and throw the pump in. And then top it off.

You'll probably have to pay for a coolant change. Its a car dealer after all.

 

The technical instructions for the inverter coolant pump recall lists replacement SLLC as a required item.
LSC A0N - HV (Inverter) Water Pump; Dealer Letter and Technical Instructions | PriusChat

It is not out of the realm of possibility that a dealer service dept will charge Toyota for the coolant but merely clamp off the hoses as Ed suggested.

 

I highly doubt they flush the system. Most seem incapable of doing it correctly by the posts we've seen here.

 

What I want to know is what a certain dealer in the LA area was going to do by performing their $250 inverter cooling system service which they recommended one of my customers pay out of pocket for at the same time they were performing the inverter pump recall.

 

Thats what I'm talking about Avi.
What do you charge for a Inverter Coolant change?

 

If you came in a wanted just an inverter coolant change I would charge $90.00. If I was working on other things at the same time I would charge $50.00.

Last week one of my customers took her Prius in for the steering shaft recall. They said she had a coolant leak and recommended she replace her water pump and serpentine belt. The water pump was some high price and the serpentine belt was an additional $130.00 even though the belt would have to be removed anyways in order to replace the water pump. There were some other tings of interest on the recommendations. I'll try to get a copy of it and post it here.

 

$90 is very fair. For L.A its quite a bargain.

 

You cannot, unless you stand there and watch the old coolant being drained.

 

How about a hidden video camera?

 

Your original I coolant will look very cloudy. Use a turkey baster and suck some out in a clear glass.
Compare when you get the car back.

 

The hard part about the drain is getting under the car and taking off the dump bolt. You already did most of it by getting under the car and marking it. You were there. Just needed a wrench. Its really easy.

 

The engine coolant loop holds around 9 US quarts. Around 3.5 quarts is in the coolant heat recovery system canister and associated loop, and that will not be drained unless the drain near the canister is opened. Another 3 quarts or so will be in the passenger cabin heater core and associated plumbing.

Therefore I would say that no more than 3 quarts might be lost if the radiator drain or the engine block drain is opened as prep for removing the engine coolant pump.

With the Prius (and unlike the experience you may have with some other vehicle engines) typically the used engine coolant will look very clean, something you wouldn't hesitate to drink if served in a punchbowl. So you cannot rely upon appearance to determine old vs. new.

 

Be aware that ENGINE coolant replacement is hard. Its hard because its difficult to get all the air out of the system. This is exacerbated by the thermos which must be tricked on during the process. Patrick has a write up on it.
I know how to work on cars and have done lots and lots of engine coolant replacment and this car was a real pain for me. There's a drain for the ENGINE way back on the exhaust side underneath. And the radiator of course.
You'll know you did not get all the air out as you'll hear gurgling from the dash. Not good. Air bubbles trapped in the cylinder head.


The INVERTER coolant replacement is very easy by comparison. Pat has a good write up on that also.

For a novice I would not do both the same day. Or maybe do the Inverter real early first. Because the car will be real wet underneath from either and you may not notice a leak. If early The car may dry up quick after the Inverter and you can move to the ENGINE. You will need a long time to do the engine.

Btw, since your going to be all the way under the car to do the ENGINE loop you should do the the cabin sanitizer
also. Its a spray foamy cleaner to de fungus the ecoil under the dash. If you have never had this done on your 08 your car is a little stinky I bet when you turn the ac on. People who smoke don't seem to notice it though.

The dealer sells 2 cans of cleaner for $25. Its a kit. One can is cleaner with a custom hose attachment the other is perfume.
That attachment hose connects to the dash ecoil box drip hose under the car. You shoot all the pressurized contents of that can back up the hose. The contents are microidial foam. Its basically coil cleaner in foam. It fills the ecoil box and cleans it. Seconds later it drips back out of that hose as liquid. Will make the car smell real nice with the ac on. I don't use the perfume can as its stinks. Supposed to shoot that in the air dam.
Its a very good maintenance thing. The dealer charges $125 for it. I do mine every few years. Prius's stink if not maintained.

Do that last so the dripping of the cleaner doesn't foul your work area under the car. Shoot it up the hose and then drop the car. Takes 5 mins no tools. Shoot the whole can up and your done.