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Flushed ICE Coolant and only managed to drain 5 quarts?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Eatnades, Mar 11, 2021.

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  1. Eatnades

    Eatnades New Member

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    I see the manual says there should be at least 7 quarts of coolant for the ICE but I only managed to drain 5 quarts. Is this normal? Coolant was drained on a level surface, then front jacked up and then only rear jacked as I assumed there might have been some left. Filled to the B line and is full with only 5 quarts. and not much burping or air when in maintenance mode. I only used the Radiator Drain Cock Plug as others stated very little comes out of the cylinder block plug.
     
    #1 Eatnades, Mar 11, 2021
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Normal. Your year has a vacuum break up top in the back but most just refill with the amount drained. You will never get it all out so the smart move is to use Toyota premixed for compatibility.
     
    #2 rjparker, Mar 12, 2021
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  3. wr69

    wr69 Member

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    2010 prius here; and using only the Radiator Drain Cock Plug, and "venting" it by opening the screw valve above the egr cooler (as well as the overflow tank cap), I was able to get about 5 quarts as well. 2011+ don't have the valve, but can disconnect the hose up there. I actually don't think the venting really helps much, in any case. Picture shows the white screw cap above the EGR cooler.
     

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    #3 wr69, Nov 9, 2021
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You might get a bit more draining the exhaust heat recovery component. I did engine coolant drain fall of last year, considered doing that, but all the hoses looked so skookum, I thought let sleeping dogs lie.

    Also, cus the Repair Manual told me too, I tried draining the block. The spigot for that is WAAAY round the back, really hard to get to. And about 2~3 tablespoons came out, a total wild-goose chase Toyota...

    Just checked my notes, I got even less:

    - engine coolant drain: 4.25 liters roughly
    - inverter coolant drain: 1.5 liter roughly
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Nov 9, 2021
  5. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    I changed mine 2 years ago. Don't remember how much I put in, but it was way less than the stated capacity.

    I also changed the radiator and inverter coolant of my 2012 Prius C. The specified capacity is 7.3 (5.6 + 1.7), but I only drained about 1 gallon.

    Somehow the difference between coolant drain and the specified capacity is much bigger for Prius than for other cars I have worked on.
     
    #5 PriusII&C, Nov 10, 2021
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