1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Traction Battery - Flushing

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jpk1102, Oct 8, 2013.

  1. jpk1102

    jpk1102 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    41
    6
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    It's been a while since I posted here. The 2008 Prius has been rolling along. Aside from the gearshift lever I had replaced quite a while back, it's been a great car. Tires were replaced at 67,000 miles, and I'm now at 135,000. I had the transaxle fluid replaced at 70,000 (despite the Toyota Dealer saying I did not need to - took the advice offered on this board and had it done). 12V battery was replaced after second year and some problems, but going great.
    To the question: My brother in law mentioned that Gen II Prius, specifically 2008 were having some problems with early traction battery failure (i.e. early meaning after 100,000 to 125,000 miles). He has several friends who had this. He mentioned that he had his traction battery "flushed" and that this was a way to prolong the traction battery life. With 135,000 miles on my Prius, I would certainly have this proceedure done if it is merited. Anyone have any info on this or know of problematic 2008 and other Gen II Prius with hybrid battery problems? Is the battery "flushing" proceedure recommended by members here? Thanks in advance for responses from seasoned members.
     
    #1 jpk1102, Oct 8, 2013
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,752
    48,967
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    is your b-i-l a jokester? because the jokes on you.:cool:
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 8, 2013
    kenoarto likes this.
  3. jpk1102

    jpk1102 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    41
    6
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Seriously? Maybe I got it wrong. No way to do any service to the battery bisco? Not trying to be a dumb woman here.
     
    #3 jpk1102, Oct 8, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,752
    48,967
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    nothing that i've ever heard of, and i haven't heard of premature failure of 08 batteries. i think he's pulling your leg.
     
    #4 bisco, Oct 8, 2013
  5. jpk1102

    jpk1102 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    41
    6
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Well, you know how this goes - he had two friends that did have traction battery failure early on 2008 models. Apparently was recommended to have this flushing out. Maybe he got taken, don't know. So he had what he described as a flushing done on his. Don't think he's fibbing, seriously, he's a good guy, but maybe I got it wrong. Only thing I know of that was recommended here was early flush for possible metal chips in transaxle fluid and to have that done around 70,000. We are going to get a new Prius shortly and keep this one for hubby commuting Houston to Ft. Worth. Want to keep it going KWIM?
     
    #5 jpk1102, Oct 8, 2013
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,752
    48,967
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    does your b-i-l also have an '08?
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 8, 2013
  7. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,103
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Battery Flushed??? No offense, but I have never heard of that one. I hope your brother in law did not get taken... Sounds like a scam to me.

    OOOPPS, I now see you are talking about transaxle, not the battery.

    Should be drained, flushing is a waste of money. Simple drain and refill on the transaxle.
     
    #7 dorunron, Oct 8, 2013
  8. FreydNot

    FreydNot Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    210
    37
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The "traction battery" is actually made up of 28 smaller batteries. Those batteries are sealed. There is no way to flush anything but money.

    [​IMG]

    The closest thing I could think of is cleaning out the fan that cools the traction battery. There have been reports from pet owners that the fan clogs up with pet hair and the battery can overheat which can shorten its life.
     
    #8 FreydNot, Oct 8, 2013
  9. jpk1102

    jpk1102 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    41
    6
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    OK, thanks guys! BIL must have had it wrong or I heard it wrong. I am checking now to see EXACTLY what he had done to his '08, but I know it had to do with traction battery. I was well aware of recommendations to have the transaxle fluid changed - reading posts by Bob and Patrick and others a couple years ago and did have mine done early.
    I have to say I've spent the last couple hours back here on Prius Chat roaming around, and am amazed (again) at the care the members take to help each other out. This is truly a great place, even for the somewhat uneducated like me.
    Thanks RreydNot for posting the pic of the traction battery, it's easy to see no way to flush. After reading I'm wondering if BIL was talking about "replacing cells" in the traction battery?? And dorunron and bisco thanks for for comments. Do remember though that there are those of us that do ask somewhat dumb, uneducated questions, lol (I know, that's a gal's word - laugh out loud).
    At any rate, have asked BIL for the clarification on what he had done to his 08. Traction battery failure would be a bummer, and expensive....but after reading posts I figure I have saved a TON of money on gas with this car, and am having no problems (just wanting to be proactive), so assuming no problems till 200,000, that would be just so great.
    I will be taking my Prius 08 in for oil change and will probably have transaxle fluid changed again (would be just short of 70,000 since last change). Any other recommendations I should have serviced?
     
    #9 jpk1102, Oct 8, 2013
    ftl likes this.
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    At 135,000 way overdue for engine coolant and Inverter coolant change. And change trans fluid too as you mentioned. Not a bad idea to replace sparkplugs usually at 100,000 miles not so much as they need them but after going 100K in an aluminum head sometimes they get stuck and are really hard to get out and then if you have a fouled plug and can't get it out thats bad in a $$$$ way. So since they need to come out so they don't get stuck might as well replace them with new ones. The threads on the old ones will be ratty anyway. Use only the original Denso's. The model number is on the plug. Get that exact plug. Not Bosch or any other plug.

    And the throttle body could use a good cleaning too.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Oct 9, 2013
  11. uart

    uart Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2009
    4,215
    1,200
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Hi jpk, I imagine that they were referring to the cleaning (possibly blowing out with compressed air) of the cooling ducts for the HV battery. Many of us here recommend cleaning the battery cooling system as part of routine maintenance, especially if you carry dogs in the back seat.

    Here are some photos of the cooling fan and duct work. There's also some good photos in that thread of what the fan looks like when it's clogged with fur and dust.

    Photos: Dead Hybrid battery? Look for the root cause.. | PriusChat
     
    #11 uart, Oct 9, 2013
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,752
    48,967
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    if i offended in any way, i apologize. i really thought your b-i-l was pulling a fast one on you. nothing dumb about your questions, just his comments to you. but perhaps a simple misunderstanding. i'm not sure how anyone could call a cooling fan cleaning a 'battery flush' though.:)
     
    #12 bisco, Oct 9, 2013
  13. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    1,049
    192
    0
    Location:
    NH
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If the word "balancing" replaced the word "flushing"
     
    #13 ursle, Oct 9, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)