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Inverter coolant and engine coolant flowing through the same radiator?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Just_a_man, May 9, 2019.

  1. Just_a_man

    Just_a_man Junior Member

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    Do both the inverter loop coolant and the engine loop coolant flow through the same radiator and therefore they are essentially in one big system? i.e. if there is a leak in the inverter loop then the coolant in the engine loop is also affected?

    I see two leaks: one is at the control valve (inverter loop) and the other is where a hose connects to the lower part of the radiator. The inverter coolant is still full, but the engine coolant is very low and so I don't know what's going on. No leak at the engine water pump. Please help.

    Prius 2009, 130000 Km
     
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    Separate loops.

    Be sure to check the under the radiator cap, as the coolant overflow container can offer a false sense of radiator liquid level.

    Have you already fixed the lower radiator hose leak?
     
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  3. Just_a_man

    Just_a_man Junior Member

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    Thank you SFO.

    Totally separate loops... (I hear you :))

    How does the inverter coolant get cooled? Does it go through the radiator too?

    I haven't fixed the lower radiator hose leak yet because I am not sure why it leaks and that I am not sure if this hose/radiator connection is part of the engine coolant loop or the inverter loop.

    Wife asks me to fix this because she thinks it may be something simple :(
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Looks like one radiator, but it's sectioned. The loops stay separate.
     
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  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I am not aware that the inverter coolant system has a valve. The engine coolant system has a coolant valve which routes coolant to the coolant heat recovery system canister and to the cabin heater core.

    How about providing some sharp photos. Also is it possible that both of these leaks relate to the engine coolant loop?
     
  6. Just_a_man

    Just_a_man Junior Member

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    Patrick, I think you are right that the valve is for controlling the coolant flow to the heat recovery canister. I replaced it before with a non OEM one (~$100) and now it seems to be acting up. Should have stayed with the Toyota part.($290) but it's so expensive. I included some photos so may be you can help me to see why the hose at the bottom of the radiator leaks. The engine water pump seems alright (no leak at the weeping hole) but should I also replace it because the vehicle is now 130K? Thanks to you guys all. control valve.jpg Valve location and lower hose leak.jpg
     
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  7. Just_a_man

    Just_a_man Junior Member

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    Thanks ChapmanF for the info. It helps me to troubleshoot. So the control valve must be connected to both the engine coolant loop AND the inverter coolant loop !!??
     
  8. Just_a_man

    Just_a_man Junior Member

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    After some searching I learn that the control valve is for the engine loop only.... That's how I understand it.
     
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest you replace the leaking hose and hose clamps with new parts. Make sure the hose spout at the radiator is clean.
     
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Engine coolant and inverter coolant are in the same radiator but 2 different containers in that same rad. Engine is on the top of the rsad and inverter coolant is on the bottom.

    Engine coolant loop consists of the radiator, the 3 way valve, the engine water pump and the chrs thermos & pump system.

    The inverter has no valves just the white plastic reservoir and the inverter coolant pump that pumps inverter coolant through a huge cross section of aluminum heatsink under the inverter then its routed into the transmission for transmission cooling then routed through the lower rad.
     
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  11. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    As far as the leak have never seen those oem style compression clamps leak not ever.
    They are superior to the old screw type clamps. The fact that there rusted may be an issue but the leak is probably coming from a leaking valve which is common. So don’t bother with the clamps only just replace the valve and the clamps.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've read too: screw style clamps create a "point load", where the screw mechanism is, can lead to cracking of plastic spigots.
     
  13. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Now you can see definitively: ONE radiator, TWO independent cooling systems (engine and inverter).
    upload_2019-5-11_11-43-20.jpeg

    upload_2019-5-11_11-43-41.jpeg
     
    #13 exstudent, May 11, 2019
    Last edited: May 11, 2019
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Siamese twins and dub it done?
     
  15. Just_a_man

    Just_a_man Junior Member

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    Thank you so much to ALL of you...

    I have replaced the coolant valve and so far so good - for a few days of driving now with no leak! I don't know if I did it right with bleeding air from both the engine coolant and inverter loops. I ran the inverter pump motor with the bleeder valve open, squeezing the hoses and all that... I filled the engine loop and ran the engine with a funnel, filled with coolant, sitting on top for the radiator opening etc. Hope things go well or I just have to give up keeping the car.

    Thanks to you all again for all the great information and advice.
     
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  16. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    3-way coolant control valve is part of the engine cooling loop. You just tried to purge air from the inverter loop unnecessarily.
    I recommend you revisit your bleeding method. Did you perform these steps:
    Car at an incline or have front of car on jacks.
    Engine should have been put into Inspection Mode (Read Post #5).
    CHRS (Coolant Heat Recovery Storage) pump should have been activated in short incremental bursts of time, as needed, to help purge air.
    Heater on HIGH.
    Squeeze the radiator hoses to try and force any air to the radiator.
    Monitor and top off the radiator, for a few days, after the engine/coolant has cooled overnight, as it takes time for the air to work itself out. Top off radiator=remove radiator cap and check/add Toyota SLLC if needed. Radiator overflow bottle is assumed to be at Full level.

    READ in ENTIRETY to LEARN how to bleed engine coolant loop: How to replace engine coolant pump and thermostat | PriusChat

    PAY ATTENTION to posts #22 and #42 as well as the surrounding discussion in the following thread discusses how to change engine coolant. Changing engine coolant | Page 2 | PriusChat
     
    #16 exstudent, May 16, 2019
    Last edited: May 16, 2019
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  17. Just_a_man

    Just_a_man Junior Member

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    Will make sure to do all of what you recommended....

    Car parks at an incline (did so)
    Engine in inspection mode (I skipped this because I did not have the info. But I manage to have the engine run hot enough for the thermostat valve to open so that the coolant flow through the heat loop. Did this a few times)
    CHRS pump activated in short bursts (did so)
    Heater on High (did so)
    squeeze hoses (did so)
    Monitor and top off radiator (will do)

    I am aware that it is more effective when all the steps above are done as one procedure.

    I am very much appreciate your info, Exstudent.
     
    #17 Just_a_man, May 16, 2019
    Last edited: May 16, 2019
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  19. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    The steeper the angle the better. Thus the front of car on jackstands, to help any bubbles get to the radiator quickly/easily. For you, should likely be fine w/ steep driveway.

    You can activate the CHRS pump as many times as you feel necessary: 5xs for 10sec/20sec/30sec, 10xs for 10sec/20sec/30sec, etc. Duration of each running of CHRS pump is your call; personally I would not exceed 45sec, since you will be force activating it 5xs, 10xs, etc. Number of times you force activate the CHRS pump is your call too.

    Monitor and top off radiator will be done over the course of days (one week minimum). Engine/Radiator MUST BE COLD! Thus the recommendation to check in morning, after car has sat overnight. The longer it has sat, the better.

    EDIT: Do NOT EXCEED 30sec duration, of force activation, of the CHRS pump. Referenced the repair manual, and the normal activation duration of the CHRS pump by the car is for 30sec.
     
    #19 exstudent, May 16, 2019
    Last edited: May 16, 2019
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