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2005 Prius - 60 days: did I let stale gas ruin it?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by richardchaven, Apr 14, 2022.

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  1. richardchaven

    richardchaven Junior Member

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    I have not driven my 2005 Prius in a couple of months. I tried to start it and it coughed and now will not turn over

    Should I hook up a jumper and try again?

    What can I add to the tank to un-gunk it?

    TIA
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    any trouble lights?

    you have to be careful not to run down the hybrid battery too low.

    does it need a jump? will it not make ready?
     
  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Is this for the 2005 Prius? You are in the Prius Prime section. But I wouldn't think two months is long enough to stale gas to cause a major problem. Us PPrime owners can go a full year before adding fresh fuel. Yeah, try the 12v jump.
     
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Not long enough for the gas to go bad but certainly long enough for the 12 V battery to go dead.

    There probably are other symptoms in addition to the "won't turn over" condition, because the gas engine likely NEVER started running immediately upon going into "ready mode".......or almost never........unless maybe the hybrid battery was getting weak too.
     
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  5. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    It's not the fuel. Use something like this to ascertain the state of the 12V system
    voltmeter.jpg
    Then, if needed, something like this to jump the 12V battery. In the 2005, the actual battery is in the trunk area on the right side, but there is a jump point under the hood designed for this purpose.
    NoCo GB40.jpeg
     
  6. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    Last spring I dropped a new battery into a 1991 Toyota pickup that hadn't run in 5 years and it started right up and drove fine on the old gas still in the tank.

    Your gas most likely isn't the problem. If it went into "Ready" and started, it probably isn't your 12V battery either. Your first step should be to read the trouble codes with a cheap scanner.