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Anyone have frame rust

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by heyphillip, Dec 26, 2018.

  1. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    Notice my 2010 has some issues with frame rust in the front of the car not surprised considering the vehicle was mainly since new upstate NY than was auctioned in NJ I've never heard of Priuses having frame rust issues
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @tvpierce suggested boiled linseed oil as a protectorant. I brushed some on last spring and it's held up pretty good. Used sponge brushes, works pretty good.

    I recall 2~3 years back having a what-the-heck moment, looking at the rear suspension in particular. It's hopelessly vulnerable to rusting, seems to have one token coat of black paint over raw steel. The bolts rust-bloom very fast, ditto for the rear cross beam, the trailing links and what have you. The welds in particular rust up fast.

    To really get at the trailing links you need to take off some plastic panels. If you're lucky you'll be able to back out the bolts holding those rusted up pieces of junk before they're complete rust lumps, and the heads snap off. Just drench them in some oil before reinstalling, ditto for any bolts and screws.

    It's best to take the wheels off for better access.

    The front is a similar story, maybe not quite as bad though.

    Oh, and I'm not even in the snow belt, lol.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Dec 26, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2018
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no idea, have never looked underneath. i suppose i'll have to when someone reports a part rusting through...
     
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  4. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    When I read you post I immediately thought of upstete New York. My 2008 was the only one I ever saw with heavy rust on the right rear rocker panel at 100,000. I drove it in a highly corrosive environment year round.
     
  5. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    Never again will I purchase another Prius in that area N.Y. Connecticut ,Canada I will drive this one until it falls apart then I'll get another Prius

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her? there's more to worry about than surface rust
     
  7. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    105,061 thousand

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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    time to clean your egr circuit (y)
     
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  9. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    I had it gone over a week ago by Team Toyota out of Princeton NJ they gave me a report on leaking oil from seal where the timing chain cover is 1,250 dollar repair job(won't get done) corroded rotted Struts 698 dollars to get new ones so there's all the issues I have another vehicle a 2016 Toyota Tacoma so I'm not spending money on this car I only payed 7500 for

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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i remember that, but what about the egr circuit?
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Frame rust is usually NOT a problem.
    Rust/corrosion on other active parts might become a problem but the frame is thick enough to last a LONG time.......unless it is damaged.
     
  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    My old man uses old motor oil underneath the car for rust protection and he lives in northeastern Pennsylvania where salt is their solution to slick roads:cool:.

    Has worked well at saving his vehicles for the last 30 or so years;).

    Best to start treating it now before it gets worse(y).
     
  13. ALS

    ALS Active Member

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    Mine has a rust issue in a weird place. I have a rust problem on the door sill on the drivers door. I have to get it fixed about every two years.
    It only appears around and under the plastic Prius emblem plate. So far it is only light surface rust but no matter what product the body shop uses on it the rust comes back in a year or two.
     
  14. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    Is that a EGR cleaning?

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  15. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    You mean right here where mines is? 20181102_160054.jpeg

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  16. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Uninform "bliss." If if it looks good on the outside, the inside must be just as wonderful. That's why cars with terrible reliability continue to sell; sometimes better than the mundane and reliable ones.
     
  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Is that all? Minor bubbling of paint on the lower part of the body on 8 years old car driven in northeast winters is perfectly normal, IMHO. Given enough years, the road salts corrode any makes and models, whether it is $4,000 used Prius or $40,000 luxury car purchased new.
     
    #17 Salamander_King, Dec 27, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2018
  18. bisco

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    that's one part. you can find the whole procedure in a NutzAboutBolts video
     
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  19. ALS

    ALS Active Member

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    Yep the exact same spot. Dealers body shop said my Prius is the only one they have seen rusting in that spot.
     
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  20. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    Some of my rusted areas 20181227_133632.jpeg 20181227_133512.jpeg 20181227_132939.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.