TSB for oil change door

I noticed my oil change door was missing when I installed the OEM fog light kit from PriusChat. My VIN is after the TSB and the production change. The part number on the undercover is 51410-12102. I did make an appointment with the dealer for Tuesday to see if they would fix it since it is still under the 3/36 warranty period.

 

Just got back from the dealer. They replaced the engine undercover under TSB 0032-11. The new part is 51410-12105 molded in the cover. I am pleased.

 

My 2010's oil change door is also missing. It is certified pre-owned and way out of the 36k warranty. The limited comprehensive warranty has a $50 deductible. Do you think I can press Toyota to waive the deductible since the problem is long exist? If I could ask the dealer to prove that the door was missing before the warranty expires. But I don't think they will keep any record like this.

There is a checkpoint in the "174-point" inspection for "underbody condition" though.

 

I tried to start my own thread about replacing the undercover but it never showed so I guess I did something wrong.

My engine under cover was ripped off when I ran over a dead kangaroo on the freeway. While it was missing I began to suspect all sorts of possible reasons for a drop in MPG. Recently the cover was replaced and I noticed a definite improvement in MPG. The week before the replacement I drove the 300 kms round trip to Melbourne in very still sunny weather conditions and got 4.8 L/100 Kms, which was an improvement on MPG I'd been having in recent weather conditions. The following week in identical weather conditions but wiyh more strenuous driving due to time pressures I achieved 4.6 L/100 Kms.

The under cover definitely makes a difference to drag. So those of you who have a new undercover, you will definitely get a benefit.

I have also installed a JDM aftermarket mid chassis stiffener. I didn't believe I would notice much difference in handling but there was a definite improvement in the steadiness of the car on the road.

 

The JDM is one of the properly designed aftermarket center under braces. It is, however, a little pricy;

2012 2013 Toyota Prius ZVW30 ZVW35 Door Under Floor Support Bar JDM VIP Japan | eBay

The JDM, like the OEM braces, offer little torsional or "twist" resistance. Some of the thick plates, while offering stiffness and rigid spacing between the rails, might eventually damage the weld nut mountings in the thin steel rails from repeated stress.

You chose wisely. Others should be careful with what you choose.

 

I called Toyota Extracare at 800-228-8559 and they said it's not covered in the certified pre-owned warranty, only the 3-year/36000-miles new car warranty. And there is no way to prove the cover fell off some 30k miles ago. I think I will accept it as is by now. There is nothing to lose except cosmetics.

 

I recently bought a certified 2010 Prius package 4 with 36041 miles on the odo. After owning it a week I went to change the tranny fluid with 4 new quarts WS fluid. The under cover was all messed up and the door was gone. I changed the fluid and called the dealer who said bring it in. I brought it to the attention of the used car sales manager who asked that I bring the car back again and have service look at it. They put it up on a lift and jimmied around with it. My wife left the dealer service saying they needed to order parts. In 1 and 1/4 miles had the whole thing get caught under the car making a terrible noise she pulled over looked at it on the side of the freeway and called the dealer. They said to bring it back.
She went back, at which point they pulled it off, and called the sales manager who then said he wouldn't cover the cost of replacement. My wife called me... and I called the sales manager and he and I talked. I reminded him this was a certified used vehicle and it should have been fixed and delivered to me with the cover in place. I also reminded him that the certification process was included in the price of the car and that, in essence, I ended up paying for the 36000 service, the certification service, ( which cost 960$) and the 4 new tires reccomended when I bought the car. It was also noted in the certification inspection, that I requested a copy of, that the front undershroud cover was missing and the dealer chose not to fix it. (CHEAP). I paid 24,900$ for the car. I told him that in the certification inspection it was noted and that they could not say they didn't know about it. I also reminded him that this was the 4th car purchased from them and that if they didn't fix it, I was going to make my mission in life to tell all that drove in with a big sign on the sidewalk in front how they treat their customers.
He said they would order the parts.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

I got my 2010 prius used and its currently below 36k miles but has crossed the 3 year limit.
The oil change trap door loosened up and my attempts to hold it up temporarily with duck-tape didnt help a lot.
I am unsure if this will be covered in warranty.


What was damaged is the part covered in page 8 of
john1701a$com/prius/documents/Prius_Maintenance_Changing-Oil$pdf
[replace $ with a . in the link above]

The part# for the whole engine splash guard I was able to find by searching online is:

Toyota Part: COVER ASSY, ENGINE U
Part NO.: :51410-12105



Can the hinge/trap door be ordered separately? Can somebody who knows the part number share it?


When I took it to a Toyota dealer (Boston area), they informed me that the damaged part cant be replaced individually and are quoting $415 for replacing the whole engine splash shield.
The cost of just the part online is ~187$
If changing the whole engine splash guard is the only option for replacement, can owners who have gone through replacement share the cost including labour?


Thanks!

 

The hinged portion is part of the overal panel. Well, until it breaks off, LOL.

I DIY my oil changes, and with every change I just remove the whole panel. It's about 10 minutes extra work each way. So, I would speculate the dealership would charge 1/2 hour labour for the install. I believe the part's around $350?

They might have changed the spec on the replacement, made the plastic thicker/softer, and or improved the nature of the hinge zone. At any rate, I expect our OEM panel will last the life of the vehicle, the flap bit never gets any flexing.

 

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