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Just bought 2nd gen Prius with 175K. Thinking about doing major maintenance

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Brando714, Jun 2, 2020.

  1. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    So I'm just trying to do some preventative maintenance since I will be driving about 20-25k miles annually for work. I have no idea of the maintenance history, but the hybrid battery pack is prob still good since the display reads 48mpg, which is good for its year and mileage it has. So to you veteran Prius owners, specifically the 2nd gen, what should I do? I've done timing belts, water pump, serp belt, thermostat idler pulleys, ATF flush, brakes, for my 98 Accord and 2011 GS350 so I know I can watch youtube vids or follow forums and do it myself. Should I replace the timing chain, water pump, thermostat, pulleys, serpentine belt, coolant (obviously haha), and flush the transmission fluid? Tell me some suggestions thank you
     
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  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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  3. George W

    George W Active Member

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    Easy tune-up items that you can check quickly:

    1. Engine air filter
    2. MAS sensor cleaning
    3. Throttle body cleaning
    4. Serpentine belt (for cracks). Its easy to change and is cheap.
    5. Fluid levels under the hood.
    6. Start your Prius. Open the cap on the Inverter reservoir, look that your pink fluid 'swirls' to confirm its pump is working.

    Those are just the quick & easy items. Spark plugs take a little longer due to recessed access. Not sure if you are a DIY person on oil changes, but if you are then consider also changing your inverter fluid.

    I'm probably missing something. If you have an OBD2 code reader, Smart Apps like Torque Pro ($5) and Dr. Prius can read stored errors and show you the condition of your Hybrid battery.

    Good luck and welcome to Prius Chat.
     
  4. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    thank you for your response. I do know how to do an oil change but I just go buy my own items and pay $15 to get it done. I will be getting messy to flush my own ATF and such. I have watched the youtube video on Torque Pro and got my bluetooth OBD2 so will be doing that soon. I have a question. When I turn off the engine, it does make some kinda buzzing-like sound for about 10 seconds before turning off. Do you know what this can be?
     
    #4 Brando714, Jun 3, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2020
  5. Salvage09

    Salvage09 Junior Member

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    Likely normal-the Prius pumps hot coolant into an insulated storage tank, brings it back when you start, to warm up faster. You're hearing the coolant storage pump, I think-- it sounds more like a whine.
    Check the 12v battery voltage too. Lots of weird errors and other stuff when it gets low.
     
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  6. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    thank you. Before I purchased the vehicle, I tried to do the secret display mode by holding display and clicking headlight on/off 3 times but it didn't work for my 2004 Prius for some reason. Any reason why? I guess I can try to figure out how to check with my OBD2 scanner and apps (dr prius and torque pro)
     
  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Best to test using a voltage meter at the 12v battery in the back, and again at the jump points under the hood.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    In the OP, the list of maintenance items is good except I would skip the timing chain unless you know there is a problem with it. Changing it will not be simple or easy.

    Regarding coolant pumps, I would look at the engine and inverter coolant pumps. Change the engine pump if you see any evidence of coolant leaking at the pump shaft bearing. Change the inverter pump proactively if it has more than 100K miles on it.
     
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    On a 2004, major maintenance should include the HV battery; ESPECIALLY if it's the original. $1600-3000 for new; less for a rebuilt pack (definitely not advised for a 25k/yr vehicle needed for work).

    GOOD LUCK!
     
  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    There is no flushing on a Prius, simply drain and refill. Some think this job is easier than an oil change, YMMV.

    Be sure to use 'ATF WS' fluid or better, though some here have used non licensed ATF as well.
    • Replace or clean the cabin filter
    • Take apart and clean the HV battery fan
    Whenever checking the engine coolant, be sure to check the level in the radiator before checking the overflow tank.

    If this vehicle is still using the original HV battery, you might consider reconditioning it.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's MAF (Mass Air Flow).

    Specifically Toyota ATF WS fluid.
     
  12. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    Thank you. Took some of your advice and out of it I have so far changed the engine air filter, cleaned the MAS senso, replaced the serpentine belt and inverter pump does swirl my coolant. I will be using Seafoam to put into my gas tank to clean injectors etc and I will clean the throttle body. I will be bleeding the brakes and flushing the transmission in a few days when they both come in. Oh and yes, I did my oil change and put full synthetic.
     
  13. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    Thank you, I went into the secret display menu by holding down display button and flicking headlights ON/OFF 3 times and went to check the battery and it was at 12.7V
     
  14. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    As recommended by another user, I was going to change out the coolant in the inverter. I opened the cap while engine on and saw that the pump was making the coolant swirl inside so is engaged but at 175K miles, you think I should just altogether just replace the inverter?
     
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    There is no warning to give you advance notice of an inverter coolant pump failure, so if you do not know how old it is, I suggest replacing it proactively when you have an opportunity.

    I also posted several years ago on how to replace the inverter pump and the engine coolant pump, if you have interest in that.
     
  16. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    Yes I will look at it thank you
     
  17. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Definitely start saving up for a new HV battery, since those are generally more sensitive to age than miles. A 2004 battery won't have much left to give, statistically speaking.

    Apart from that it sounds like you're on the right track. Congrats!

    Oh and just an awareness thing- 2nd generation Priuseses are vulnerable to catalytic converter theft in California. They are specifically targeted because their converters are oversized and contain more precious metals than average. Also, due to California smog laws, you can only replace them with an original Toyota part, which is expensive. Select your parking and insure the car appropriately for this risk.
     
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  18. Brando714

    Brando714 Member

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    Yes I am aware of the theft thank you. And also guess what? lol After I bought the vehicle, seller and I went to go smog (his expense) and it passed the emissions part but not the visual since it wasn't OEM. Smog guy told me ya those are like $3000. I was like **** no and upon google search, ya an used full catback was $1000. We went to a diff guy and he found https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/EXC83205 and we zoomed in on the Carbb code and he entered the D-182-62 and it passed. Gave him $150 and he told us from now on, you can give that code to a smog guy who is willing to overlook the inspection or just go back to him and he will charge normal price from now on
     
  19. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    The biggest problem with Prius at this age and miles is the oil burning issue is very prevalent. If the oil changes weren't done time and has run low it will exacerbate the oil burning problem. I bought my Prius at 160k and it had very good maintenance records for the last 8 years. It was burning about 1/2 quart every 1000 miles. The issue is the Prius can burn on the average of 1 quart of oil for every 1000 miles or more. The Prius only hold 4 quarts and people drive to 5000 miles for the next oil change and finds out the engine ran out of oil and bam the engine is worn and on the way out to be blown.
    So do an oil consumption test by filling the oil to the top dimple on the dipstick. That's indicator for a full 4quarts. Run the Prius for 1000 miles and go back and check the dipstick. If it at or below the second dimple on the dipstick it's about a quart down.

    Good luck!

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  20. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The difference between the two dimples is 1.6 US quarts.