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inverter coolant reservoir

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by yota93, Jul 15, 2011.

  1. yota93

    yota93 Junior Member

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    Im a new 2001 prius owner. I have to replace the inverter coolant pump next week. Ill do that myself. I put my finger in the inverter reservior and when i pulled it out i had this thick very pink fluid on it. Not the coolant that i bought from toyota to replace the existing fluid. Anybody got any ideals. Im very mechanical.
     
    #1 yota93, Jul 15, 2011
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    There are two Toyota coolants. The Gen1 Prii (2001-2003) used Long Life Coolant (red, needs to be diluted 50/50 with water) and Super Long Life Coolant (Pink needs no dilution) that is used in the later models. You can use either in your 2001.

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Jul 15, 2011
  3. yota93

    yota93 Junior Member

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    Ok thank you very much. I know there is red and pink coolant but is the pink coolant the concistancy of pepto bismol? Thanks for your help.
     
    #3 yota93, Jul 15, 2011
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Absolutely not!!! It has the same consistency of standard coolant.

    I have a theory, the reservoir was low and someone added ATF.
     
    #4 seilerts, Jul 16, 2011
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    That is very likely. That's probably why the inverter coolant pump died. The inverter cooling channels are probably partially or fully plugged as well.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Jul 16, 2011
  6. yota93

    yota93 Junior Member

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    ok is there a way to flush the system? like you do with the regular cooling system.
     
    #6 yota93, Jul 16, 2011
  7. yota93

    yota93 Junior Member

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    Update. I drained the coolant this morning and it has the red coolant in it. It also had a layer of the pink pepto I said earlier. Someone could have topped it off with the ATf as suggested earlier. What are some other cause like I know when you get oil in radiator fluid you got some bad gaskets and a lot work infront of you. Does the hybrid side set up the same as the engine side? Is it possible I blew a gasket on the hybrid side? Thanks for your help!
     
    #7 yota93, Jul 16, 2011
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The inverter cooling system also cools a small area of the transaxle. It is possible (although unlikely) that the transaxle case has a crack which is allowing ATF to mix with the coolant. To be sure, you should drain the transaxle ATF and assess whether it has coolant mixed within. Refill with 5 qts of Toyota ATF T-IV.

    To flush the inverter coolant channels, you can fill the system with water and run the inverter coolant pump to purge the air out; then drain and repeat until the drained water is clear. This will take you all day, probably - since purging the air out is not very easy.
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Jul 16, 2011
  9. yota93

    yota93 Junior Member

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    Thanks a lot!!! I will post what I find out. It will be next week as I am working this weekend.
     
    #9 yota93, Jul 16, 2011
  10. yota93

    yota93 Junior Member

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    Update. Couldn't sleep when i got off work so this morning so drained the transaxle fluid. It was clean so i can rule that out. I attached a pic i think anyways of the pink stuff that was in my inverter coolant fluid. I also removed the pump this morning to. Its not that bad plus you don't have to remove the whole bumber just loosen the drivers side and the headlight will come out. Im going with some idiot put the wrong fluid in the inverter reservoir.
     

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    #10 yota93, Jul 18, 2011
  11. yota93

    yota93 Junior Member

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    I think this is the right image.
     

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    #11 yota93, Jul 18, 2011
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    That is a reasonable theory, given the photo that you provided of your finger and the "Pepto-Bismol".
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Jul 18, 2011
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