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

Second Gen leaking near waterpump, doesn't smell like coolant?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by MiaTwo, Dec 11, 2019.

  1. MiaTwo

    MiaTwo New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2019
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    So my 2008 Prius had a leaky waterpump (The one that is on the left side of the engine below the belt). I replaced it myself, but I'm only slightly capable with mechanical repairs and I got some gasket sealant on both sides of the gasket, so after seeking advice I decided to put sealant on both sides to ensure a good seal.

    After putting it back together, the bleeder valve stripped so I was unable to open it when filling with coolant. At the advice of you fine people, I opened the radiator cap and filled it with coolant while running the hot air to circulate the system.

    Unfortunately I've noticed there is still a leak underneath as you can see in this video.



    When touching the liquid, it doesn't smell like coolant, but it's coming from directly under the water pump so I can't imagine that it's anything else.

    I took the car to a mechanic that specializes in hybrids. He looked at it for about 30 seconds, opened the radiator cap and spilled coolant all over the ground. Then he say "Are you sure you have a leak" and due to the spilled coolant dripping from the bumper it was impossible to show him the leak.

    So I drove home and am back in the same situation, where I can clearly see fluid leaking from my car, but can't figure out why it doesn't smell like coolant, and the two mechanics I've been to are not helpful at all.

    Can anyone help me figure out how to troubleshoot this? I'm supposed to go on a very long road trip soon but don't feel comfortable doing so until I make sure my Prius is in sound condition.
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,463
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    1. I hope you used pink coolant to fill your car, that fluid leaking looks clear, like it's AC condensation or fluid that's been collecting on the car from overnight condensation.

    2. Use a white paper towel and wipe some of it up and look at the color, smell it, feel it......

    3. Good job on the DIY replacement.....that's actually a pretty tough job to break loose the belt tensioner.

    4 since coolant leaked out when the mechanic opened the radiator cap when the car was hot (what a donut), you'll have to refill the radiator when it's cool (preferably in the morning before you start the car)
     
    dig4dirt and Raytheeagle like this.
  3. MiaTwo

    MiaTwo New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2019
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks, I definitely did use pink coolant when refilling it. It looks like condensation, but seems like too much fluid for that to be the case unless I'm crazy. Obviously my car can't be converting coolant to water, so maybe it is just condensation. I'll try the paper towel idea to check it more closely. Thank you so much for the tip.

    Yeah it was an all day thing trying to figure out how to replace it, but I'm happy to learn more about my car. Love my Prius and trying to take care of it the best I can. Thanks again!
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,463
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    AC condensation drips a lot

    If you are planning to go on a long trip, it's probably best to not do any repairs before you go. Do that after you return from your trip. That way if the repair was not done correctly and if there's a bad part, you won't be too far from home. The rule of "if it's not broken, don't fix it" applies before a long trip. You just have to monitor your oil usage and make sure it doesn't go low on your trip, bring a quart of oil with you if you are traveling over 2000 miles
     
    #4 JC91006, Dec 11, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2019
    Mendel Leisk and Raytheeagle like this.
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That does not look like its anywhere near the water pump area looks likes its over by the inverter pump area.

    Get the car up on a lift asap and see where its leaking. Or just lay under the car the best you can and see where its leaking?

    You have lots of placed for rad coolant to leak and lots of places for inverter coolant to leak. Take your camera when you go under the car but really best rto get it up on a lift ata garage.

    Take it too any garage for look see should not be more that $50 for inspection. Dealer will whack you one hour min @ $140.

    Whatever you do I would do it soon as it leaking pretty good and probably really leaks when your driving it. There's no temp gauge on a G2 so you will have no idea your overheating the car till the check engine comes on and that's too late engine damage ensues.

    We see that alot on this site. Every car owner should own at least a Scangauge which can read & clear codes and will show engine temp mileage voltage etc.
     
  6. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2014
    647
    983
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I know this is old school.

    But way back in the day when I was slave labor at my uncle's auto shop (he actually did pay me), we'd tell people to put a pan under the car and see what was dripping. That way you have the actual liquid in liquid form -- of course tasting it would be hazardous to your health and I would never do that or recommend it......

    Of course, back in the day, most people used a metal garage floor tray as almost all cars then leaked all sorts of stuff -- it was usual and expected.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,466
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'm guessing AC condensate (aka water), which is normal.

    Not sure if it's been asked: how does it feel? Is it oily? Or some sort of water-based?
     
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No the condensate tube is on the passenger side much farther back. Goes right down past the glove box.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2014
    358
    106
    0
    Location:
    KC, MO
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    He is in Vegas or at least his signature indicates this and while I agree with Ed regarding the location of the condensate hose. However the video appears to be shot viewing from the back side of the passenger front wheel to the front of the vehicle (I'm using the fender well fasteners as my frame of reference for my guess) and at least to me its plausible this is AC condensate.

    OP, please do the white paper towel or small container under the offending leak area to better quantify the composition of the fluid and report back.
     
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The drip is between the front tires.

    The ac drip tube which I have serviced like 3 times so far is much much farther back. But it does have condensate looking dripping behavior the way its dripping. Either that or its a ridiculous leak.

    So to the OP please shut off the ac and see if it stops dripping. Or get under the car and see where its dripping.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.