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thermal shock Gen 3 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Valz, Nov 7, 2023.

  1. Valz

    Valz Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Asking advice to see how badly I messed up

    My car cabin smelled like oil due to oil spill last month and (maybe) the fumes got to me..

    after work I decided to pour water bottle down engine where excess oil from previous oil change would have been.. well the car was HOT

    I saw white smoke and heard sizzling so I instantly stopped, now I'm not sure if my engine cracked or will be cracked due to thermal shock

    planning on taking it to a dealership to see if there's any cracks or warp engine block
    wondreing if anyone had any experenice or knowledge how senesetive the engine might be (80k 2015 prius)
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Can you please give us more details? Did you pour water in the engine? Or on the engine?

    Dealership is the wrong place to go... They'll try to find some way to charge you a fortune. That's why we call them Toyota Stealerships...

    You aren't going to crack an engine block by pouring water on it... What likely happened is the water found its way to exhaust pipe header and created steam. Not recommended, but you aren't going to create "thermal shock." It's a thick chunk of metal, not glass or ice.

    Make sure everything is dry and clean and you should be fine.

    In the meantime find a friend or family member with mechanical skills or a reliable mechanic or even just an oil change place who you can rely on that's not going to try to rip you off, but save you money.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Nov 7, 2023
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2023
    Valz and GrGramps like this.
  3. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Two
    Close the hood & keep going - you're ok /
    Imagine how it was decades ago when cars didn't have under panels & they drove through a puddle of water..... ;)
     
    Valz likes this.
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Unless you poured freezing water on it for a while, you're fine.
    If the engine is running and not making abnormal noised and oil/coolant isn't being
    thrown around, you're fine.

    If you spilt oil, you should sray it down with gunk, the flamable one. When the engine
    is WARM, not hot. Let it sit for about 5 minutes they use a garden hose with a spray nozzle
    and hose it off.

    You probably should remove the plastic engine pan and gunk that down also, before doing
    the engine so all that won't sit on the pan.

    After rinsing, you can drive the car enough for the engine runs for a few minutes to dry it off.
    Then install the pan


     
    Valz likes this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Touring
    I would just wipe off the oil and/or degreaser, with shop towels.

    Degreaser Management for Individuals.