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Hi all, new Prius v owner

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by farmecologist, Jan 31, 2018.

  1. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Worked on the new under vehicle splash guard over the weekend. Also did the 'oil door hinge' treatment on it. Thanks everyone for the ideas in various threads!

    Old (broken) splash guard (insulation removed):
    IMG_4882.jpg

    New Splash Guard with cleaned insulation from the old splash guard.
    IMG_4883.jpg
    • Note that the insulation was incredibly dirty and took a few washings to get acceptably clean!
    Riveted hinge
    IMG_4897.jpg IMG_4896.jpg IMG_4893.jpg IMG_4894.jpg IMG_4895.jpg IMG_4899.jpg

    • First time using a rivet tool. Pretty neat! Using backing washers is very important so the plastic is 'sandwiched' between the hinge and the washer.
     
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  2. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Nicely done.
     
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  3. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Got the splash guard installed over the weekend :

    IMG_4905.jpg

    Also inspected the EGR pipe and took a look at the intake. Sure enough...lots of crud in the pipe (but not cloggged) and the intake had quite a bit of oil in it (no photos of that..oops) :
    IMG_4907.jpg IMG_4906.jpg IMG_4908.jpg IMG_4909.jpg IMG_4910.jpg

    All cleaned up :
    IMG_4912.jpg

    Looks like I'll be doing the intake manifold and EGR cooler cleaning (and possibly oil catch can) sooner than I thought!
     
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  4. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Weekly update...

    I ordered a $50 EGR cooler from Ebay and it arrived in decent shape...dirty but not clogged :
    IMG_4922.jpg IMG_4915.jpg IMG_4917.jpg

    So I did the Oxi clean soak as described in other threads ( just mix the powder with hot water ). By the way, a new oil catch pan makes a great soaking basin.
    IMG_4924.jpg

    I did this soak about 6 times and it turned out pretty good!
    IMG_4930.jpg IMG_4931.jpg IMG_4927.jpg

    However, it did seem to leave some residue in the coolant loop tubes..did I soak too long? I don't think it will be a problem but thought I would ask the gurus here. :D
    IMG_4932.jpg IMG_4936.jpg

    This weekend I have been installing black Clazzio seat covers....what a PITA! However, they look pretty awesome. As I have learned in the past..the harder seat covers are to install, the better they are in the long run! Will post some pics soon.
     
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  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Did you try a straight hot water bath to remove the scale?

    I’d give that a shot and see if it takes it off;).

    Between the 2 Prii in your fleet, that spare cooler will get some use(y).
     
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  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    @Mendel Leisk is our oxy-clean specialist. :D
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah I'd just plug one end of the cooler, pour the solution in. If I ever need to do it again, I'll prep by getting a proper diameter rubber stopper: I made do with a wood dowel planed down on a taper, and wrapped with a double layer of latex glove, to give it some flex. But anyway: you only need to be cleaning the passages where the exhaust gasses pass through, not the coolant passages. I think it's ok though, to do that: it's all stainless steel construction.
     
    #27 Mendel Leisk, Mar 25, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2018
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  8. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Yea I had thought about plugging the coolant tubing but thought it 'wouldn't hurt' if I did a full part soak. It's odd that only the coolant tubing passages left a residue though. Possibly a different coating of some sort in the exhaust passages?

    I'm getting ready to do the intake manifold cleaning. I did the prerequisite watching of the nutzaboutboltz video..of course. :sneaky:

    One question though...did anyone 'soak' the manifold or is parts/brake cleaner sufficient? In the video they just wipe it down and use parts cleaner but I seem to remember someone doing a soak?

    Dumb question...how do I tag a member? Just add the @ sign?
     
    #28 farmecologist, Mar 25, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2018
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah seems like. One thing, I wouldn't use oxi on the valve, which is aluminum. It might not be detrimental, but I believe it will tend to "dull" it.

    I did oxi-clean soaks on the intake manifold. I'd say it helped to bubble more crud out of the small diameter EGR passages (one at each intake port), but ultimately it seemed unnecessary. Braklean plus some small diameter bottle brushes or what have you, is good enough. The intake manifold is much more open than the EGR cooler, and the interior plastic is kinda rough, so "functionally" clean is good enough I think.
     
  10. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Had the car in today to look at the wobble and steering pull at high speeds...and altogether 'off' feeling of the steering in general.

    I was convinced it was some sort of alignment or some other mechanical problem. Turns out the problems are solely due to poor tires! Looks like the previous owner ran the rear tires under inflated for a long period of time. And the fronts have 'shifted belts'...which is the cause of the wobbling/pulling.

    Now I get to shop for tires...yay! At least it wasn't some major mechanical thing. Never thought tires could cause so much trouble!

    Edit: Anyone know how often Costco has their "Michelin $75 off a set plus 1 cent install" deal?
     
    #30 farmecologist, Mar 30, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2018
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Bridgestone is $70 off on set of four right now:


    Tires: Shop for Car, SUV & Truck Tires - Costco


    Maybe Michelin is next?

    Canada's Costco's have $70 gift card on Bridgestone right now too, and supposedly following this schedule:

    [Costco] 2018 Spring Tire Promotion @ Costco - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

    The Bridgestone promotion commenced and runs as predicted above. They also had Michelin $70 gift card running for a few days, about a week back, not as predicted. Anyway, you'll see in above link (Canadian) that Michelin should follow, so maybe similar in the States. Just keep an eye on their website.

    It kinda ticks me that Costco Canada has switched to gift cards: it's not the same as cash at the till, doesn't reduce sales tax (12% up here), and makes you a captive Costco shopper. It's getting closer and closer to the typical mail-in rebates, arguably better because it's still a little faster (gift card in the mail in a week or two, vs months for mail-in rebate) and arguably worse since the rebate's only spendable at Costco.

    I was all geared up to re-tire this spring, but ended up putting the ol' Michelin Pilot's back on, one more time. Their build date is February 2009. Lotsa tread still, but looking a little tired. Roll good. Feel good, a little noisy just.
     
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  12. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    My Michelin "rebate" in the US was a Master Card debit card which worked for me almost perfectly as the next time I went to the grocery I happened to ring up $69.77. Yes tax and yes spoilage. But in the greater scheme of things, a rounding error.
     
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  13. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    I think spring is finally here! 50s this weekend...thank god. (y)

    On the agenda for this weekend is PCV valve replacement and intake manifold cleaning. I looked at the nutzaboutboltz video again and they disconnect the coolant hoses from the throttle body. However, it appears that you should be able to move the throttle body assembly off to the side without removing the hoses? I swear I remember someone here mentioning this will work...but I forgot who/where.

    Edit : Also...I need to be sure to check the EGR port holes in the manifold. :D


    BTW - I ended up ordering Michelin Defenders from Discount Tire Direct..story here : I need new tires again, whats the "best out there?" | Page 2 | PriusChat
     
    #33 farmecologist, Apr 20, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2018
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  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Pull the throttle body to the side ;).

    No need to disconnect :).

    Good luck this weekend (y).
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @Raytheeagle beat me to it. Just lift up and to your right, you can tie it the inverter or whatever with some twine.

    Yes, that's the way to go when removing EGR cooler. Drain a couple of litres (not sure how much is necessary, but this suffices) at the radiator drain spigot. There will be a slight bit of coolant trapped in the lower back corner of the cooler: you can just lift the cooler out without changing orientation, then tip it out into your drain container.

    You can do this without raising the car and/or removing the undershield. But you might want to do that anyway, if you want access from below, and so the things you drop (hopefully) go right through.

    The level drops in the reservoir when you do this drain, and when you pour it back in afterwards it'll be slightly high, but levels out after a few days driving. You might want to leave a top hose off the EGR (or the bleed bolt open, if you have a 2010~2011), and squeeze the bigger rad hoses a bit during pouring the fluid back in. Reconnect hose (or close bleed bolt) once coolant starts to flow out, as you're pouring fluid back into the reservoir..
     
    #36 Mendel Leisk, Apr 20, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2018
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  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Twine:LOL::ROFLMAO::LOL::ROFLMAO:.

    Kids these days use zip ties:).

    I was able to get it to stay without the need for either method(y).
     
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Not when they are baling hay ;)
    City slickers! Humph!
     
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  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I’m sure @Mendel Leisk does his fair share of barn yard chores:whistle:.
     
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Funny/true story: we were wandering around Canadian Tire (good luck trying to find tires there...) and overheard an older lady asking staff where they kept the string. She got mostly puzzled looks.

    I used to "bale" tree and bamboo clippings, had up to 10 of the dang things curbside on compost day. Now they've switched over to the big plastic bins that the truck picks up, not as much fun. :(