Inverter Coolant

Hard to say. If you haven't noticed anything on the ground, it may just be normal. You really should get in the habit of checking under the hood every now and then - especially the oil level.

Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. Use nothing else.

 

Both reservoirs on ours got down to lower lines sometime in the 4th year, around 45,000 kms. Bought a bottle of the above mentioned coolant (it is pre-diluted) and topped them up.

 

I find it strange that Toyota has their service item of "check all fluids", but they never top them off. I've asked them about this before and they said "if we topped them off, you would never know if you had a leak". Crazy

 

They meant to say "If we topped them off, we would have materials costs to go with the service we are mandated to do and reported we did, but didn't."

 

It's something that would be really good for service dept to do too. But hey, need 8 oz to top up? Head over to parts dept and buy a gallon.

 

I should've promptly pointed out both SLLC reservoirs were near their "L" marks when I bought mine, "certified." Instead, I waited until the first "free" oil change to mention it. They claimed they added "a small amount" of SLLC to the engine coolant supply. If so, it was such a small amount I couldn't see any difference. A few months later, I bought a gallon of SLLC-equivalent at O'Reilly and added another small amount.

 

Inverter fluid, like coolant, expands as it warms up. The MIN line is the minimal fluid level Toyota wants in the resovour so that it doesn't suck air into the system (this would be tragic). The MAX is there so that as you add fluid, it will not ooze out the top as it expands. The line that they donh't top it off so that you would know you have a leak is BS. I've run out of washer fluid and they say they topped it off. Bleh.

 

I am unsure where to post this as I am new to the forum/website. However, about 2 months ago I drove to a store, spent about 2 hours there, and then when I came back it had all sorts of messages on my 2010 Toyota Prius. Mainly, it said check parking system as it is on uneven surface.. .. not quite that language but something about this. I took it to my local dealer and they said the ECU had been fried, my 12v battery was dead and not working, and a fuse had been blown. Ultimately, I had my 12v battery replaced (I had replaced it a year earlier and had a warranty on it yet), replaced my ECU, and replaced the blown fuse.

Then less than one month later I had a "check hybrid system" light come on along with the bright orange triangle caution light, and the check engine light. Ultimately, I took it to the same dealer who said a code P261B came up and a different code regarding my intake engine manifold. The dealer said I needed a new engine water coolant pump and recommended I replace the engine manifold because, as they said, it cannot be cleaned but only replaced. Yesterday, I spent about $800 to replace the electric engine water coolant pump. I did not do the intake engine manifold because that was going to cost another $600, which I do not have. I picked up my car today, no check hybrid system light nor any check engine light. I drive approximately 20 miles and then later tonight the check hybrid system" light come on along with the bright orange triangle caution light, and the check engine light all reappear.

When I got home and parked my car I looked inside my hood and saw my engine inverter coolant level was right at the low level. Could this low level engine inverter coolant cause all of these lights? If not, any recommendations or suggestions? I am, obviously, taking my car back to the dealer tomorrow. This is turning into a three month, >$1,600 ordeal so any help would be appreciated!

 

Just to commiserate, that's a bad string of luck. Hope it gets sorted out. Sounds fishy that they can't clean the intake manifold: a few members here have done just that, to clean up the mess Toyota's EGR design has pooped in it...

 

How many miles on her? What are they going to do to the intake manifold for $600? Are you a person who DIYs? The manifold is not hard to remove, and is not too time consuming.

That's a lot of 12v batteries. Have any grounding or issues with leaving a door open? Our 2010 Prius II built in July 2009 is still on the original 12v and still holds a charge of over 12.6 when checked the next day.

Keep us posted.

 

I have approximately 95,000, miles on my 2010 Toyota Prius. They were going to replace the intake manifold for $600 because "it can't be cleaned it has to be replaced." I am not really a DIY person, unfortunately, though I probably have auto friends who might be willing.

What do you mean have any grounding or issues with leaving a door open? Today, they informed me that the main code is P261C for my Toyota Prius 2010, and they are talking to Toyota uppers tomorrow because they "have 48 pages worth of information" and are hoping to have Toyota put forth some work...aka they don't know what is going on. It is a reputable Toyota certified dealership I am taking it to.

 

I would challenge the "it can't be cleaned" claim. With 195 k miles, has any preventative maintenance been done to the egr or intake system (PCV valve, egr pipe, egr valve)?

As for the P261C or P261B code, that relates to the engine water pump. What is the coolant level on that reservoir? Have you noticed any wetness under the car or see anything around the water pump that would indicate a leak? Where is the level in the engine coolant reservoir?

The P261C indicates low coolant circuit level on the engine. What does the oil in the dipstick look like? If slightly milky, you have a head gasket leak where the coolant is going into the oil.

What was the level in the inverter coolant reservoir, or has it been at the low mark? Did you change this recently or at 150 k miles?

As for my question about the door being left open or another issue, going through 3 batteries is high. Trying to help see if there is something else that might be contributing to the issues.

 

There wasn't a lightning storm about the time your troubles started, was there?

 

Ray the Eagle:

Sorry, I meant 95,000, miles and not 195,000 miles.I also questioned the 'it can't be cleaned' statement, which I why I did not have it replaced. The coolant level on the reservoir for the inverter coolant was right at the L line. I do not recall any leaks or wet spots below my car. Similarly, the other tank of liquid (I am no car expert) was also at the L level. I told the dearlership this many times, and each time they assured me they would tell the mechanic. I have not looked at the oil in the dipstick. Given my car is at 95,000, miles, not the previously state 195,000, miles, I have not changed the coolant.

I do not recall a lightning storm.