Hitting 200,000 miles soon, Need Inventory of Repairs

Both the engine and inverter coolants are supposed to be replaced at 50K mile intervals, after the initial change was performed. I do not recommend neglecting that as overheating is a great way to induce failure of the normally reliable engine and inverter.

I am sure that your front struts and rear shocks are totally dead if they had not previously been replaced, and suggest you have those done now.

In addition the serpentine drive belt, engine coolant thermostat and PCV valve should be replaced.

The front and rear brakes should be inspected, maybe they are due for replacement now.

The transaxle ATF needs to be done again.

You might consider replacing the 12V battery and inverter coolant pump as preventive moves since those were not on your list of prior repairs.

Check your tire tread depth and windshield wiper blade effectiveness, and replace as appropriate.

Finally, look at the 120K mile scheduled maintenance list, and have those items done.

 

It would be a good idea to flush your brake system with new brake fluid too.

 

Unless you pay for a brake fluid change or flush, you will most likely only get enough of a brake bleed job to get the air out of the rear brake circuit.

 

Replacing brake fluid would be a separate service. When the front brake pads and rear brake shoes are replaced, there's no need to mess with the hydraulic fluid (other than to possibly remove some fluid from the brake fluid reservoir if the level gets too high as the front caliper pistons are retracted to make room for new pads.)

 

What a timely thread!! I'm at 195K on my '05 and am looking at some of the same services. Thanks Patrick for the ideas on what I need to add to my list. PC never ceases to amaze me with the info and help here!!

I'm doing CVT and inverter fluid (last done at 150K), plugs (done at 106K), my struts and shocks are original too so I guess they're used up...lol..!! Will have them check the brake pads (original!). Good idea on the belt/PCV/thermostat, I had the radiator drained/filled at 75/150K, how often should engine coolant be done? Also had brake fluid flush/fill done once and have an Optima yellow top I put in last October just for the fun of it!!

What will they hit me for to replace the invertor coolant pump at the same time? probably should since the fluid would be in the change process. The $$ are piling up lol!!

Joe

 

My first major maintenance coming up at 125k is estimated at $224 so far. All of it is DIY, and no one would mistake me for being mechanically inclined.

 

Replacing the front struts and rear shocks alone, will probably cost you $2K. (That is one reason why I DIY.)
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ts-regarding-replacement-2g-front-struts.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...oubleshooting/74531-replaced-rear-shocks.html

The engine and inverter coolant should be replaced at 50K mile intervals after the factory-fill coolant is replaced at 100K miles.

My guess is that you will probably be charged around $400 to replace the inverter coolant pump. (Another reason to DIY since MSRP is $116, I paid $88.)
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-.../65173-how-replace-inverter-coolant-pump.html

 

Probably, that is not hard to do and if you gain a sense of accomplishment from that project, that might encourage you to perform other maintenance tasks as well. Good luck.

 

Are you referring to the engine coolant pump that is powered by the serpentine belt? If yes, then I would say that it would be OK to replace it as a preventive move if you want. I would definitely replace the serpentine belt now, as a minimum.

You'll have some advance notice of a pending engine coolant pump failure when you see coolant start to weep from the bearing. So, if you make it a habit to check your engine oil from time to time while you are pumping gas, you can also take a look at the engine coolant pump and plan to change it soon, if you see a pinkish or whitish coolant stain appear on the inside of the pump pulley.

 

A good start. How about replacing the transaxle ATF fluid?

Did you decide to defer replacing the front struts and rear shocks?

 

Well, the Prius has a transaxle, which can be easily demonstrated by looking under the bottom of the engine compartment. That transaxle has fluid within, which is 4 US quarts of ATF WS. The fluid does deteriorate after a reasonable number of miles have been logged.

All that the service tech needs to do is drain and replace the fluid. Maybe the service writer doesn't understand that, but I am sure that the tech with Prius training does.

See if the service writer can understand this; if not maybe you'll have to visit Olympia, WA again.

 

Hi saechaka, you mentioned previously about saving money with some DIY. In my opinion changing the ATF is a really good simple DIY job. Several people have posted info/guides here if you search for it and it looks pretty easy. I've actually just bought the fluid and a long funnel and will be changing mine for the first time in a few weeks (at 60k miles). Just make sure you use the genuine Toyota fluid (ATF - WS) as it MUST be compatable with the (very expensive) electrics contained the the transmission.