DIY Radiator Replacement?

I think that replacing the radiator and AC condenser can be DIY but you may need help when it comes to filling the AC system with refrigerant. Also, getting air out of the engine coolant system is not trivial. I have previously posted on how to do the latter. In addition you may want to obtain repair manual info at techinfo.toyota.com which is a subscription website, so that you can appreciate the full extent of the work required.

 

The radiator in front of the radiator is the ac condenser. Is that what you are referring too or are both the ac condenser and the radiator which sits behind it also damaged?

Be more concerned with the front ac condenser as thats more expensive to replace than the rad in the long run.
Especially if the ac was running when you punctured it as debris will get circulated through out the system and may damage the ac compressor.

More expensive also because even after you replace the ac condenser you have to take it and have it professionally charged. Most car ac shops charge around $145 to vac it out and then charge it. This does not include any fod damage issues as I previously stated. Don't waste your time or money trying to charge it with the bottles you can buy at the parts store. Thats a joke and that stuff will not work on a Prius anyway.

If ac was off during the accident you may be ok.

The engine coolant radiator replacement is straight forward but like Pat says is a complete bear to purge all the trapped air once you install new coolant.
Purging is complicated by the CHWS system. Which is the hot water bottle. Pat has good write up on how to trick out the CHWS bottle pump relay to circulate the pump. Thats the best idea.

 

I did both of these. There are aftermarket parts available at much lower prices then OEM, if you don't mind them. I used aftermarket in my car. For the A/C you will need to get a vacuum pump to pump down the system. Also you should add a few CCs of hybrid oil. There are now hybrid oil with Freon in cans available. You can purchase a suitable pump for about $150 which will be much less expensive then bringing it to a shop to pump it down and recharge it. Also, make sure the Freon you use has no oil added, many brands do, and they will harm the car, unless it says hybrid oil. I posted about hybrid oils before, you can search for it. You will need only 14 oz to refill the system. Also, do not use a charging hose that was used on another vehicle, if the wrong oil was used in it, your system can be contaminated. Non hybrid oils are conductive and will short out the compressor motor. Follow Patrick's info on refilling the antifreeze. Also, I ran into problems with some after market suppliers listing radiators for Gen II that are Gen I units. Pull the old one out so you have it to compare when you pick up the new one.

 

Also only use a OE DENSO condenser I have had shops re-replaced so many after market condensers in Prius I can no longer keep count. I have photos in my photo album about Prius condenser and ever thing else about problems with Prius air conditioning parts. Denso ND-11 oil is the way to a long life for your compressor, yes there after market oils for hybrids, they are only the ester base stock oil missing most of the important additives for a long life that"s why they are so cheap. I go into some explanation about the different types of ESTER oils used for a/c compressors. There are few types, like paint on a wall it may all be white, it may all stick to the wall, but why dose one last 30 years and the other last 5 years ?.