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Inverter coolant?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by stonerider, Jan 10, 2015.

  1. stonerider

    stonerider Member

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    Is this the same as the transaxle fluid? I mean, when you change transaxle fluid, you are changing inverter coolant? It's just different name, isn't it?
     
    #1 stonerider, Jan 10, 2015
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    No. Transaxle fluid is aka transaxle ATF. This is a lubricant and the correct fluid is Toyota ATF WS, 4 US quarts.

    Inverter coolant keeps the inverter and transaxle at the correct operating temperature. The correct coolant is Toyota Super Long Life Coolant and ~2-3 US quarts will be required.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jan 10, 2015
  3. stonerider

    stonerider Member

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    Thanks, Patrick!

    Okay, so the inverter coolant is different from the transaxle fluid. I learn something new here everyday!
     
    #3 stonerider, Jan 10, 2015
  4. stonerider

    stonerider Member

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    BTW, my dealder wanted to charge me $375 for both Engine coolant and Inverter coolant change today. I took my '07 this morning for an oil change ($36 out the door); service advisor told me about the 100k service for $125, I told her no, just do oil change. Then I asked her about engine coolant change, she looked it up on the computer and said sure you need to do it at 100k, along with inverter coolant change. I declined and just got oil changed. I will take it in next month or so. She told me to do both fluid changes at the same time; can I do engine coolant next month and then do the inverter coolant change the following month? Does it save on labor if I do both at the same time?
     
    #4 stonerider, Jan 10, 2015
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    You can schedule the coolant changes as your personal budget allows.

    Ask your service advisor if they will give you a discount for having both services performed. There is no labor savings other than not having to drive the car over to the lift 2x.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Jan 10, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you are on the original engine coolant pump and belt, you may want to change them at the same time as the coolant.
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 10, 2015
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  7. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Yes, just as much as the engine coolant is different from the engine oil.
     
    #7 CR94, Jan 10, 2015
  8. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    What belt?
     
    #8 orenji, Jan 10, 2015
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    The serpentine belt that drives the engine coolant pump.
     
    #9 dolj, Jan 11, 2015
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    The belt that drives the ice water pump.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Jan 11, 2015
  11. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    I was under the impressing all Prii had no belts, do the Gen 3, c (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon, not an uppercase) and c have belts?
     
    #11 orenji, Jan 11, 2015
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Yes
     
    #12 edthefox5, Jan 11, 2015
  13. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Don't know about the v and c, but the Gen III Prius ICE coolant pump was not belt driven, it was replaced by an electrically driven ICE coolant pump. I would assume that this design decision was carried forward to the c and v too.
     
    #13 dolj, Jan 11, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2015
  14. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    That is what I thought as well, so there are no belts to replace.
     
    #14 orenji, Jan 11, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    o/p has a gen II. gen III eliminated the belt, went to electric pump. v and c never had one. they came out after gen III hybrid redesign.
     
    #15 bisco, Jan 11, 2015
  16. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    if you do the coolant pump, don't let them charge you for a coolant flush; you got to drain the coolant anyway when you replace the pump.
     
    #16 69shovlhed, Jan 11, 2015
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  17. stonerider

    stonerider Member

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    Both pumps, engine coolant pump and inverter pump, were replaced 2-3 years ago in recalls.
     
    #17 stonerider, Jan 12, 2015
  18. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Um, I guess they're both fluids but, one is primarily for lubrication and the other is for cooling.
     
    #18 GregP507, Jan 12, 2015
  19. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    Gen I and Gen II Prii, Gen I Camry hybrids, and Gen II Highlander hybrids have drive belts. Gen III Prii, Gen II Camry hybrids, Gen I Highlander hybrids, and Avalon hybrids do not. The Gen I Highlander hybrid has a timing belt, though. Whew!

    Avi
     
    #19 Avi's Advanced Automotive, Jan 12, 2015
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