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P1121 Valve Replacement/Time to move on?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by GucciWhite, May 16, 2016.

  1. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    Hey everyone! I have a 2004 toyota Prius with 185k miles on it and recently got the CEL for P1121. I checked both coolants and turns out that the engine coolant was completely out. I immediately filled it up and the CEL went off for a couple days. It has come back and is on constantly, I checked the coolant and the coolant is at the correct level. I've done some research on the threads about the P1121 and couldn't find some of the answers i was looking for.

    Is it safe to drive with the CEL on for p1121? I am going to get it fixed soon but the autoshops I've been calling do not carry the coolant control valve.

    Also do you think it is time to move on from this prius? I've replaced the waterpump, Cat converter and other minor things and its still running good but i do not prefer to pay some serious $ if the battery goes out.

    Thanks for the help!
     
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  2. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I traded cars to avoid the tire valve stem issue.:LOL::ROFLMAO: So yes they get really expensive to maintain past a certain point. You might get lucky and find an independent mechanic that can diagnose this for you.:) Be careful driving with a coolant flow problem.
    Dealer item for parts. 185K you did well. As always depends on your finances.

    Does it use oil?
    If it hasn't been dripping then it is sucking or blowing coolant somewhere. Not good.
     
    #2 ETP, May 16, 2016
    Last edited: May 16, 2016
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Did you check the engine coolant level at the radiator itself? It is not sufficient just to look at the coolant in the reservoir.
    2. If the engine coolant is correct in the radiator and you do not hear air bubbling in the cabin heater core then you can drive the car as-is until the valve is replaced.
    3. The replacement of the coolant control valve should not be a very costly repair...
    4. The resale value of your car is very low so you'd might as well drive it until it requires a repair costing serious $$$$, then you can tow it to a salvage yard and be done.
     
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  4. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    Just checked the radiator. This is how it is looking. Does this level look correct?
     

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    #4 GucciWhite, May 16, 2016
    Last edited: May 16, 2016
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Since you are changing out the 3 way valve, just drain the system and add new coolant. Toyota recommends the coolant be changed at 100k miles and every 50k after that. You normally would have to drain the coolant when replacing the valve (unless you clamp the hoses).

    Don't waste money in refilling the radiator now, that new fluid will just go down the drain later when you replace the valve
     
  6. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    Okay thank you! Is there a place you recommend to purchase the 3 way valve from? Also how do you think the coolant level is looking? (I uploaded a picture on my previous comment above yours.)
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I see fluid in the radiator, that is not your problem. The problem you have a P1121, which is the valve problem. That requires you to drain the coolant and change the valve. The only way to avoid changing the coolant is if you clamp the hoses while changing the valve.

    The only reason you would want to not change the coolant is if you serviced it recently and don't want to waste it. If it's been over 50k miles, you should change the coolant along with the valve.
     
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  8. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    Nice, thanks for the help! Do you think its fine to drive the car as is until I get the 3 way valve replaced? Going to need to drive places while i wait for the valve to arrive via internet.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    yes, your car won't have any problems driving with p1121.

    Seeing that your coolant seems a bit low and there's no coolant in the reservoir tank (from what you described), there may be a leak in the water pump. If it's leaking, there should be some pinkish/whitish residue on the pump itself. If that's the case, you should change that out at the same time......since you would normally drain the coolant for that service too.
     
  10. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    The reservoir tank was completely empty, and I added coolant to it. The CEL went off and the first time i drove it after putting coolant in, the engine/coolant seemed to have a big burp when i turned off the car. Hasn't done so since & the CEL came back on. I replaced the waterpump about 10k miles ago.

    Is there any websites you recommend getting the valve from?
     
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I get all my OEM parts from parts.camelbacktoyota.com They are in AZ and there's no tax added for CA people. If you purchase $150, you get free shipping. I just ordered the same valve from them at $64.57 a month ago


















    MERGED












    If your check engine light has turned off, then adding coolant and burping the system might have solved your problem. I would not replace it if the check engine light is not on anymore
     
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  12. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    check engine light went off when i put in coolant and went back on a day or 2 after driving it with coolant added. I did not burp/bleed the system when i added coolant. I am not very savy with cars, should I go get the system burped/bleed before i change the valve to see if that is the issue or just change the valve?
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    just change the valve
     
  14. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    Okay will do. After I checked the radiator, the Check engine light went off. Hopefully it stays this way. :)
     
  15. Currahee

    Currahee Member

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    When I had that code the valve or pump made an annoying whooping noise all the time and the heat didn't work but was fine to drive. It was a worthwhile fix.
     
  16. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Good luck.:) If so you got lucky. I still have a problem with where all your fluid went.
    Could be after they replaced your water pump it was not filled correctly. TBD Also I would never run the radiator low on fluid.
     
  17. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    Yeah definitely. Do you think this is fine to run on?
     

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  18. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    If the dealer says ok then yes. I think it may be a water pump swap out issue on the refill. TBD.I would add to a cold radiator what is needed to fill it and check underneath the vehicle and around the engine area for suspicious fluids.
     
  19. GucciWhite

    GucciWhite Junior Member

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    Check engine light went back on. Going to get the valve ordered. Is there a thread with lists of mechanics recommended for Prius work here? (I'm in San Diego California)
     
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  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    check with your local dealer and see how much they'll charge you first.

    You would also want to change out the coolant if you haven't done so in the last 50k miles.
     
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