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Water Pump/General 100k Maintenance Advice

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Roadie_, Feb 6, 2024.

  1. Roadie_

    Roadie_ Junior Member

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    My 2013 Prius 2 was purchased last February with 85k miles. The vehicle was elderly owned and included maintenance records from day 1. I have done extensive preventative maintenance at around 90k miles including the following:
    • EGR Pipe Cleaning
    • New PCV Valve
    • Intake Manifold Cleaning
    • Head Cleaning
    • Other Basic Maintenance/additions (Synthetic oil every 5k, filters, new tires, pads, rotors, PO lift, added fog lights, tint, etc)
    I'm just about to hit 100k miles and noticed recently my coolant levels seem to be lower than normal. In between max and add. This must have happened over the past month (cold weather in the negative temps for awhile if that has any factor). I checked all levels beginning of December and all were fine. I ended up topping off the coolant and keeping a close eye on levels.

    My question is regarding water pumps and recommended upcoming maintenance. I've heard about the water pump failure issue that plagues the 3rd gen. The plastic impeller stops and slowly kills the engine with little notice. I also heard the Prius includes 2 water pumps? Electric and engine correct? Is it the engine pump that typically fails? Should I be concerned about the electric as well or does that one typically not fail?

    I'm concerned about my coolant levels so I think it could be pump related.

    Additionally, I'm following the Toyota manual for scheduled maintenance. I'm wondering if it's worth knocking out anything not included in the manual at this time. I heard some prefer to do plugs and drain/refills at 100k as opposed to 120k.

    I could be overthinking this all, but I'd love to keep this car in tip-top shape for as long as possible. It's in great shape and runs great. Thanks for any insight!
     
    #1 Roadie_, Feb 6, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2024
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    But not the valve and cooler?
    while Toyota USA is mum, Toyota Canada recommends to change brake fluid every 3 years or 48k kms.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Feb 6, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2024
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  3. Roadie_

    Roadie_ Junior Member

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    I did the valve but not the cooler. Completely escaped my mind during the process. Was planning on knocking that out next cleaning session at 150k unless recommended sooner.
     
    #3 Roadie_, Feb 6, 2024
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Cooler will be pretty rough by 150. See top two links in my signature; on a home turn it landscape to see signature.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Feb 6, 2024
  5. Roadie_

    Roadie_ Junior Member

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    Gotcha, will keep that noted. I'll most likely do the same cleaning (mentioned above) with the cooler while i'm doing the spark plug service at 120k.
     
    #5 Roadie_, Feb 6, 2024
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah it’ll be good to have cowl off. To avoid spilling coolant see those first two links in my sig, second one in particular IIRC.

    and anytime, for prep: take the nut off the lower cooler bracket stud. This can be done without removal of anything else. And just leave it off.

    to avoid needing to remove rearmost cooler studs (later, when removing cooler) you can also take off the stud where you removed the nut. Takes an e8 socket. It’s tough to get started, and take your time.

    both these measures done in advance will make the subsequent job go faster.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Feb 6, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2024
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  7. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    It also
    could be head-gasket-related, if you're unlucky enough to have that at such low mileage. Or some relatively easily fixed leak.
    I suggest checking for EGR blockage the easy way, through the OBDII port: Techstream EGR Valve Blockage Data | Page 3 | PriusChat

    Even if that result looks good, cleaning out the manifold EGR passages would be good, because they tend to clog unequally.
     
    #7 CR94, Feb 7, 2024
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  8. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    Yes, the Gen 3 Prius has two water pumps. Both of them are electric. One is for the engine cooling, and the other is for the inverter cooling. The pump to be most concerned about is the engine cooling pump. It typically can fail from 150k to 200k+ miles.

    You can monitor the engine coolant temperature by using an OBD2 display OR an OBD2 Bluetooth adapter and an app on your phone or tablet. I use a P10 display unit that I purchased on Amazon. They are also sold on eBay. I monitor engine coolant temperature and voltage. The display can sound an alarm when the coolant temperature goes higher than a user set temperature. It also has a alarm if the voltage drops lower then your desire set voltage.

    X AUTOHAUX 2.2 Inch Mini HUD Head Up Display Car Dashboard Digital Speedometer Multifunction Data Display Error Alarm TFT LCD Display with OBDII EUOBD

    P10 Car OBD2 Head Up Display HUD On Board Computer Digital Speedometer With MPH

    https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2023/03/233794_20230227_151926.jpeg
     
    #8 Brian1954, Feb 8, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2024
  9. PriusTime

    PriusTime Junior Member

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    A slow loss of coolant, and once it got low enough a subsequent loss of heat into the cabin, were the first signs that my engine coolant water pump was failing. If I were you I would remove the pump to inspect the drive end of the impeller. Might as well just plan on changing the pump out, and it also makes sense to replace the thermostat and lower radiator hose while they are accessible.
     
    #9 PriusTime, Feb 12, 2024
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