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Foam Gasket Undercarriage?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Sung Woo, Dec 30, 2017.

  1. Sung Woo

    Sung Woo Junior Member

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    Hey folks,

    A week or so ago, I accidentally ran over a garbage can lid -- it didn't make that much of a noise or impact, but then today I noticed that there's about a five-inch foam piece that hung down from the undercarriage. It was located about three inches from the front wheels, about the middle of the car. I yanked on it a bit but it wouldn't come off, so I snipped it. Definitely foam, and gray/black, though it might have gotten discolored from the road dirt.

    Any idea where this came from? I found it weird that a foam gasket-like thing would be down there, but I figured it served some purpose. And of course, the bigger question -- does it need to be replaced? My Prius is a 2007 2nd gen with ~170K miles on it. Thanks!

    - Sung
     
    #1 Sung Woo, Dec 30, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    doesn't ring a bell, not part of the aero cover, i don't think. can you post a pic?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 30, 2017
    valde3 likes this.
  3. Sung Woo

    Sung Woo Junior Member

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    I don't know how helpful this will be, but here's a whole bunch of undercarriage photos and the foam part I snipped off!

     
    #3 Sung Woo, Dec 31, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it looks like something someone used for grille blocker.
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 31, 2017
    SFO likes this.
  5. Sung Woo

    Sung Woo Junior Member

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    Hmm...so what do you think, is this something crucial if it is indeed a gasket for the grille blocker? I just don't want this to become some bigger problem down the road -- thanks...
     
    #5 Sung Woo, Jan 1, 2018
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    honestly, i don't know. grille blocking is diy, so if it's that, it doesn't matter. is there anything like it stuffed into the grille?
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 1, 2018
  7. Sung Woo

    Sung Woo Junior Member

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    I actually replaced the grille myself because a few years back, I ran over a blown truck tire on the highway and it messed up the bottom of my Prius to some degree. Maybe this is from that patch-up job that my mechanic did? I don't think it'll be obvious to do anything until the car is up on a lift, so I think I better do that. Thanks for chatting with me about this!
     
    #7 Sung Woo, Jan 1, 2018
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree, you need a good look see under there, please let us know what they find. all the best!(y)
     
    #8 bisco, Jan 1, 2018
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Never seen that particular strip before.

    If its foam its used for noise or it may be the heat insulation thats right above the exhaust manifold where it passes by the firewall. Theres some insulation material on that firewall area to keep exhaust heat off the firewall so the cabin doesn't cook.You don't have a chance of seeing it unless the car is on a lift as its way up there. Not sure how a garbage can lid would get that though.
    .
    On a side note your undercarriage is severely corroded. Make sure you at least keep the hood lock mechanism lubricated because if that gets stuck closed its a real bitch to fix it. You cant get the hood open to fix it.

    And spray some lube in the mechanical lock drivers side door key hole. Just spray some lube in the key hole. The one time you need to use that door key is when the 12 volt battery dies and it will be rusted solid. See that alot here.
     
    #9 edthefox5, Jan 1, 2018
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  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Forgot to add and with the wicked cold it will be non stop dead batteries in a G2 for a while.

    Make sure you can open the door with that mechanical key.

    Its going down to 40 tonight in Tampa area. That's an OMG around here. .
     
    #10 edthefox5, Jan 1, 2018
  11. epoch_time

    epoch_time Active Member

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    Sung woo.
    That foam strip looks like the foam strips that border around the radiator.
    I think there purpose is to force more air flow through the radiator. Rather than letting air flow past the sides and bottom of the radiator.
    When changing my 2009 prius oil I would notice the strips hanging loose and I would tuck them back in place.
    They were hang slightly out of place on my very first oil change at 2500 miles on prius.
    I haven't noticed them hanging any more. Probably because they all fell out 50,000 miles ago? I have 95,000 miles now and have done all my own oil changes. Is been years since tucking the odd hanging strips back in place. Must likely none left to hang loose to attract my attention.
     
    #11 epoch_time, Jan 10, 2018
    Mendel Leisk, Prodigyplace and bisco like this.
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