Hello and hopefully useful EGR pipe vid

After lurking for a couple of months, i've joined up, enlisted, whatever it is
But, also wanted to pay back in a way, by uploading a video to compliment NutsAboutBolts excellent maintenance series.
The EGR pipe was successfully cleaned on our 2014, at ~85,000 miles. The idea is to add pointers, hints and tips on a first go at such a job...as it was my first go too.

I've also recently added 2x 3/4" pool noodles to the front, though OK isn't likely to see any aggressive cold weather...more to see what it would take to do so. As it turned out, not a lot, besides cutting the foam for the vertical pieces and then it stuck to itself when wrapped around.

We've owned ours for about 2 months and couldn't be more delighted with it. Got my first 99.9mpg yesterday, trundling from a gas station to a nearby Walmart. That won't get old in a hurry.

Here's the EGR pipe video (zero adverts), plus a couple of pics of the new addition to Prius Chat.

 

Thanks bisco.

The only trouble with motoring is the tyres and I wonder if there is consensus advice.
They're Bridgestone Ecopia's and were brand new 6 months ago, say the service records...still got the nobbly bits on the walls.
The 2 rears will lose 10lbs of pressure per week, which seems a bit excessive. 2 fronts lose a pound or two. Our mileage is only 60 miles per week if pottering around and it seems unlikely to be pot holes etc as it's consistent.
The 'Flat bottom girls' light on the dash is on more than it's off! (Queen reference). I pump all up to approx 37-38lbs when sorting them out.
Is the extra air pressure a factor? am used to 27-28lb on other similar sized cars.

 

True true, no other car has needed weekend checks daily.
The reseating seems like a plan.

Will look up how to check the valves. But they all move fine, all seem to seal fi....... yeah, i'll look it up.

Here's something - the passenger side rear tyre was losing 10lbs per week. I used half a can of 'fix a flat' type spray and added real air to 38lb. It's stayed up and the TPMS light went out.
Will make sure to tell any mechanic it has the gunk in there (they hate it I hear).
So all was good, it stayed inflated and I didn't kill the TPMS.
Now, straight afterwards, the driver side rear tyre is losing 10lb a week !!!!!
It's like the one handed over a baton to the other !

 

It would have been left in the can, sure enough. Just one of those things that seems like a bright idea, before knowing why it isn't.
At least I guess there's some value in knowing the TPMS doesn't have to be destroyed every time.

Will do the spray test

Even with car maintenance experience of 25 years, the Shrader valve is fresh to myself. Bisco mentioned it, but I didn't know what it was ( lol ). A classic "oh that's how they work" when watching Youtube vids last night.
So, thinking back to this new issue with the passenger side rear, I do recall wondering if the cap was pushing the little pin in when tightened down.
I'll put the dish soap around the dust cap and see what happens.
If there is a leak, then the temptation is to use the Dremel on a crappy screwdriver....to make the slot to wind in the Schrader valve a turn or two. Better sense would be to buy the specific tool, with the cross design. Oh and deflate the explodey bit before messing with any of it!
Or, just leave the dust cap off.

Will update and thank you guys for the help.

 

And the update is....

New valve at Discount Tires.
I thoroughly recommend this company. They're always courteous, quick and best of all inexpensive.
$12 fix

Muskogee OK Auto Repair & Tires Shop | Discount Tires

Same company welded our 2001 Ford Escort exhaust 3 years ago for $15 and it lasted til we part-ex'd it for the Prius.
Also, they charge flat prices, tax included.

The 'Flat bottomed girls' light has also gone off on the dashboard. It had stayed on when I put 38lb in on the troublesome side and he made mention of the passenger rear having been low. They pumped that up too.

 

LOL yes
Wife and I decided that's what it looks like, rather than 'TPMS sensor warning dashboard indicator light'.
The mental imagery somehow correlates.

Plus, we had just been to watch the recent Queen film when we first noticed it lit up.

 

Along with cleaning the EGR manifold on the front of the engine, as far as i'm aware.
Here's more info on the code: P0401 – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, & Fixes – FIXD Automotive

Cleaning the actual pipe goes a long way, but I believe the regulars here state the manifold itself should be done at 100K, if not earlier.
The pipe doesn't take more than half an hour, if it's been done by yourself once before.
I found that acetone makes a really good cleaner when poured inside, the gunk drops out of it with a few shakes. A bit of hot water rinsing later and it comes back to bright metal.