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Oil change door panel replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by xliderider, May 27, 2023.

  1. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Guys, help me figure out where the so called Oil Change Door Panel replacement goes on the original under panel. 2011 Toyota Prius hatchback, original under panel, never replaced.

    Do I cut off the old oil change access door from the under panel then install the replacement panel over the opening? I can't see how the trapezoid shaped replacement panel fits over the opening that would be left after cutting off the oil change access panel. Screenshot_20230527_102809_Chrome.jpeg Screenshot_20230527_102908_Chrome.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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  3. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    That isn't the oil change access door; it's 51442-12270 "radiator support splash shield" or "engine under cover no. 2" that sits just behind the engine undertray. As far as I can tell, to replace the oil change door you have to buy the whole engine undertray 51410-12105.
    .
     
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  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Hmm, I got that part number from the last image in this listing on eBay.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/162620801245?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=VOFcTdi4S8e&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=lgL0ua8ZQBW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

    The description makes it sound like this panel must be purchased/sourced separately to do the mod on the oil change access door.

    Does this mean that the kit only replaces the plastic fasteners, and not the entire access door?

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  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    In the ad he states no panels are included. He is just selling what I would call a threaded insert kit with installation tool.

    IMG_2105.jpeg

    What I did when the access door ripped off was buy a cheap but complete aftermarket undercover. However it did not fit well and lacked the insulation panels attached to the oem undercover. So I cut off the new oil access door and attached it to the oem cover with a piano hinge. Then I used screw in plastic retainers instead of the pushpins. His metal inserts and screws might be better.

    Prius undercover w hinge and notes.jpeg
     
    #5 rjparker, May 27, 2023
    Last edited: May 27, 2023
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    OK, so I've already got rivet nut inserts, bolts, and installation tools, both manual and a heavy duty 2-handled tool that I used to install my catalytic converter shield.

    Apparently, I just wasted $20 ordering a small plastic panel that I just looked at under my car, that's still in serviceable condition. Grr.

    I have stainless steel hinges laying around somewhere, but I think I want to make the access panel completely removable. Or at least be able to fold up, near 180 degrees and tie up, out of the way when doing an oil change.

    Right now, the access panel hangs down and is in the way of reaching everything from the front end of the car, which is the way I approach the oil change operation.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I ordered a cheap set of stainless steel removable flag hinges. I will try to see if I can rig it up so that I have 2 or 3 hinges on the front of the oil change access panel. The panel can then be removed by sliding to the side, preferably toward the passenger side, where the wheel won't get in the way.

    The side and rear of the panel will be secured by bolts and rivet nuts.

    4 Pcs Small Slip Joint Flag Hinges 304 Stainless Steel Lift Off Hinges Detachable Door Hinges for Left Handed Lid Door Wooden Boxes Kitchen Cupboard Cabinet https://a.co/d/87y5p6U Screenshot_20230527_182747_Amazon%20Shopping.jpeg

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  8. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Years ago, I cut the panel off and installed an aluminum piano hinge with pop rivets and back up washers. 20 oil changes later, it's still there and still works. Undercover-conhinge-open.jpg Undercover-conhinge.jpg wedcofunnel.jpg
     
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  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Mine's all off and long gone I mean long gone maybe that's why I don't get 58 mi to the gallon oh boy
     
  10. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Why over-complicate a simple problem?

    I cut loose the panel (through the "hinge"), then attached two sheet-metal strips to the front side of the door, using two screws per strip. Those strips extend forward beyond the original "hinge" line. One screw at the front end of each strip holds up the strips, thus also the front of the oil-change flap, in its original position. Removing only the two front screws (and the OE pushpins elsewhere on the flap perimeter) allows the flap come off for filter changes.

    Easy! I'm sure there are more elegant solutions, but this works. The main drawback I see is that overenthusiastic tightening of the screws would easily strip them out of the plastic. So far, I haven't allowed that to happen.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I used that “access panel” once, the first oil change I did, and decided from then on to remove the entire engine bay underpanel at each oil change. I’ve subsequently removed/installed the full panel at least 24 times (twice yearly times 12 years); it’s still like new.

    I acquired a set of replacement plastic fasteners (relatively cheaply, through Amayama) when I noticed a few had missing or bent teeth; swap them when needed.

    there’s some preservation tips in oil change link in my signature (on a phone turn it to landscape to see signature). Also the pdf with part nos linked there.

    my 2 cents: replace the full engine under panel, and don’t use that “access panel”.

    the Repair Manual section on oil change (attached in aforementioned link) says to remove the full panel, fwiw.
     
  12. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    You don’t use the push pin to hold the flap 180 degrees out of the way? I’m supposed to do our v’s 11th oil change and always do it that way. (Seems like it’s intact per your description)…
     
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Our flap "hinge area" is original, and very stiff. It's already started to crack, about 15% along one corner, and on the other side, about 2 inches in from the hinge area.

    There's no way that our panel would swing 180 degrees to meet up with the underside of the engine panel. Maybe if I put a proper hinge on it. I never imagined that there was a corresponding hole to keep that flap secured up and out of the way.

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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    By the time you get that flap over to that hole that’d be the only thing holding it lol.
     
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  15. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Just sharing, maybe this time will be the time it breaks…. (Doesn’t look like it but for sure I’ll share when/if it does). I’ve done it for the last 8 times…
     
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  16. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    With a piano hinge and offset hinge screws it will fold back almost 180. However I did not try to make a pushpin hold it open.

    IMG_2106.jpeg

    The next time I get under there (while on a lift) I am going to add the ebay rivet nut inserts with a couple tweeks. I will superglue some wingnuts to the bolt heads to make them removable without a wrench.

    Then I will glue a pair of magnets to the flap and the corresponding undercover location to hold the flap fully open.

    The best superglue ever is probably the two part HY4070 with included mixing nozzles. Wear gloves and safety glasses.

    IMG_2107.jpeg
     
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  17. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Or, you could get these.

    5pcs Metric Wing Bolts, M6 DIN316 304 Stainless Steel Thumb Butterfly Screws Wing Hand Bolts (M6x16mm) https://a.co/d/4Iz1vuJ Screenshot_20230528_134443_Amazon%20Shopping.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  18. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    @rjparker There’s a designated hole that fits one of the 3 push pins to hold it 180 degrees open. (Of course I avoid creasing it as much as possible). If you note from @Mendel Leisk post we’re both aware of it from official Toyota oil change instructions…
     
  19. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Access door? There isn't one on mine. It's been almost six years for me, and I haven't have a problem.
    I don't know how long it was missing for the original owner..
     
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Taking the whole panel off affords a better view of inner CV joints on drive shafts, and various seams and bolt-ons that can leak. Plus for me for oil catch can access.

    it’s the repair manual recommendation, takes 5 minutes coming off or going back on, once you’ve done it a few times.

    I suppose if “professional” mechanics have been bending back that flap multiple times it’s halfway to coming off anyways, so there’s that.

    Our previous Honda had a sim albeit much larger flap, but the plastic was much thicker/softer, and thinned out at the hinge, so that it was actually effective, about as durable as the plastic hinges used on power tool cases.