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Oil drain plug cover missing - Help!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Wavey, Apr 3, 2012.

  1. Wavey

    Wavey New Member

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    Hi all-

    The winter snow/ice up here in AK has knocked off my oil drain plug/filter cover. The dealership wants $300 for a new cover plus a few more bucks for the 10 plastic clips to attach it. Anyone know of a way/source to get this cheaper? I'm guessing I can manage to clip it in myself...

    Thanks for any responses.
     
    #1 Wavey, Apr 3, 2012
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    No way, I have been going around with Kendall for a couple of weeks but they finally replaced mine last weekend under the T-SB-0032-11 that is out there for it. Talk to Bo Mason the shop foreman about it.

    So how did the car perform for you this winter?
     
    #2 spiderman, Apr 3, 2012
  3. Wavey

    Wavey New Member

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    The car did well this winter considering how snowy it has been. I averaged something like 42 mpg for the winter, give or take. That seems reasonable considering the snow and the temps. I still have the grill blocking on as well - I usually take it off when I do the tires. The only other issue that creeps up from time to time is having to park the car at the bottom of our steep driveway. It's now in the garage after 4 nights out. Lots of new snow or slushy snow will keep it down there. Anything else and it usually can make it up the driveway.
    Thanks for the note. I'll give Bo a call and look into this TSB.
     
    #3 Wavey, Apr 3, 2012
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I forgot to ask... is it just the little door panel that is gone or is it the entire under-panel? If the entire panel is gone, that might be a tough sell but if just the little part of the panel, they should replace it.

    So did you bring it in to have them look at it or just ask them about it?

    That is about what I was averaging too.
     
    #4 spiderman, Apr 3, 2012
  5. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    BTW, here is the list of T-SBs for the Gen III so far. The second post by JD lists the under-cover replacement.
     
    #5 spiderman, Apr 3, 2012
  6. Wavey

    Wavey New Member

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    It's just the little door panel. I noticed it was folded back when I heard scraping along the road one day. I used duct tape to fasten it up so it wouldn't drag. Shortly after that it just fell off somewhere. I took the car in to Kendall for an oil change (with the idea of asking them about this - otherwise I wouldn't go there) and got the quote. My situation seems consistent with the TSB and what others have reported experiencing.

    Thanks again for the help.
     
    #6 Wavey, Apr 3, 2012
  7. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    You bet. Just make sure you don't mention the possibility of the snow/ice as the cause... which I am sure it is not. It was a terrible design. Just tell Bo that you believe it should be replaced under the T-SB.

    Be sure to print out the T-SB and take it with you.
     
    #7 spiderman, Apr 3, 2012
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