Inverter radiator replacement--$1100?!?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by worktheweb, May 16, 2012.

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  1. worktheweb

    worktheweb New Member

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    I was driving to work this AM in my 2010 Prius and got the yellow triangle and associated hybrid system error message. Dropped it off at the dealer and got quoted $1100 to replace the inverter radiator. They called it the "hybrid radiator" but it's the same thing. I guess a rock went in the grille and punctured it.

    This is Koon's Toyota in Arlington, VA in case you're wondering. $1100 seems like a total hatchet job to me but the service tech said they have to remove the bumper and associated hardware to get to the radiator.

    Any ideas? I told the guy I would get back to him.
     
    #1 worktheweb, May 16, 2012
  2. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    I'm guessing they're not covering it under warranty because they claim a rock punctured it?

    Maybe give your insurance co a call... collision with foreign object?
     
    #2 ny_rob, May 16, 2012
  3. worktheweb

    worktheweb New Member

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    Yep, my first question was "This isn't covered by my warranty?!?" Nope. Collision with external object.

    My deductible is $1000 so that's no good. I would never use insurance unless it was a major catastrophe anyway.
     
    #3 worktheweb, May 16, 2012
  4. Vege-Taco

    Vege-Taco Junior Member

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    Junkyard? If you can find a wrecked Prius that wasn't in a front-end collision...
     
    #4 Vege-Taco, May 16, 2012
  5. Vege-Taco

    Vege-Taco Junior Member

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    $121 on ebay.
     
    #5 Vege-Taco, May 16, 2012
  6. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    ^ +1 plus say about $40 in coolant and a few hours of work.... piece of cake.
     
    #6 spiderman, May 16, 2012
  7. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The 2010 Service Manual shows the hybrid radiator assembly sitting right on top of the ICE radiator. It does show removing the front bumper and then the top radiator support. If you are DIY inclined at all it should be a pretty simple replacement. Or a good mechanic should be able to do it easily. Just be sure to use the Toyota SLLC coolant when replacing.

    Find the diagram attached.
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 jdcollins5, May 16, 2012
  8. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    #8 seilerts, May 16, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    You are probably already facing a $500 charge for diagnostics (they took it apart, right?). I'd say it's an expensive lesson. Ask another dealer what they charge just to confirm whether this dealer is on the level.

    At any rate, welcome to the modern world of dealer servicing.
     
    #9 David Beale, May 17, 2012
  10. worktheweb

    worktheweb New Member

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    Thankfully they diagnosed it for "free" probably because I also had them do the $100 oil change/27 pt. check. Whatever. I found the radiator at 1-800-RADIATOR for $158 so I'll give it a shot. If not I found a shop that said there's no way that job should cost more that $500 radiator included.
     
    #10 worktheweb, May 17, 2012
  11. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    For a reference cost the Toyota 2010 Prius Parts Manual shows the following:

    Cooler, Inverter - Part No. G9010-47030 $367.31
     
    #11 jdcollins5, May 17, 2012
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Should be covered under the cheaper comprehensive deductible. Some road debris punctured the gas tank in a previous car and it was only $240 for me, covered under comprehensive (Farmers).
     
    #12 32kcolors, May 17, 2012
  13. hlunde

    hlunde Member

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    If not branded, then it's most likely Chinese.

    I recommend that you use original Toyota part. There's still a major savings if you do the work yourself.
     
    #13 hlunde, May 17, 2012
  14. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    It's also possible to find the part from a wrecked Prius.
     
    #14 Rebound, May 17, 2012
  15. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    #15 El Dobro, May 17, 2012
  16. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Too late for you, but for others....

    I went to the hardware store and found eavestrough mesh (aluminum). Removed the fasteners under the front of the car and folded back the undertray, then fed the mesh up behind the grill. Zip-tied the mesh to the grill using black zip-ties. The result is no insects embedded in the radiators and no damage from rocks etc.
     
    #16 David Beale, May 18, 2012
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  17. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Can't you take it to a good radiator shop and just have it repaired properly for $100 ????


    REV
     
    #17 revhigh, Jun 2, 2012
  18. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I'd give it a shot, that's what I used to do.
     
    #18 El Dobro, Jun 2, 2012
  19. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    I've looked at the manual, and the tricky part is refilling/purging the radiator. That takes a dealership computer to turn the pump on. Not sure how a radiator shop or a home mechanic can do that. It would be wise to ask a private shop about this.
     
    #19 Dark_matter_doesn't, Jun 2, 2012
  20. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Dealerships are a crapshoot IMO. After my trying to buy my Prius from them (Koons Tysons Toyota) back in February, the games they played on my trade (I was willing to take $7k, they offered $5k with lies about about calling the local Subaru dealership about the value of my 2003 Baja. Only to raise it to $7k the next day as I sat at Carmax Toyota with a $9k offer and a sweet deal on a 2012).

    Call me old fashioned, but the way you are dealt with in buying shows you where they stand in the service side of things. So Koons would be the LAST place I will ever go to for service.
     
    #20 ChipL, Jun 2, 2012
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