Replacing coolant parts as a safe measure

I believe that we often forget that dealerships are paying hourly wages, sometimes health benefits and other benefits, plus paying for extremely expensive equipment, insurance coverage, legal expenses, etc, etc, etc. all while being in business to make a profit (some times enough to satisfy shareholders). Plus paying for ongoing training for their staff. So, obviously, it will cost more to have them do a service than what most small independents need to charge, or what a DIY can do it for. While a job might be simple, they are often using equipment that insures it is done correctly and completely (such as brake fluid changes on a Prius).

 

Yeah I wonder, would the do the full brake fluid change, which I believe replaces the fluid in the brake booster components? For sure they'll be using Techstream, and maybe a high-tech vacuum extractor.

My "equipment", doing the non-Techstream method, was"

10mm box wrench
8mm box wrench
length of clear tube with bleed valve grommet on one end
largie/empty mayo jar with lid, with hole drilled in lid
Largish syringe with clear tube extensiion and skinny pippet nozzle (for basting out reservoir)

Plus floor jack, jack stands, wheel chocks, impact wrench with 21mm socket, the usual rigmarole for DIY raising the car

 

Strang logic, like going for a simple doctor's visit then asking him to do open heart surgery on you because you stubbed your toe or something. The bypass fix is less than $100 to fix with the hose and clamps, to possibly save major inconvinience and money down the road. There's zero harm and that's all she needs to do..no one is recommending rebuilding the whole dang car.

 

The water pump is fine and she is in her 70’s. Think about it.

 

Heat Exchanger...not the water pump. Also waterpumps still fail and mostly close to the 200k mark within a reasonable frame...I'd say because she's in her 70's, lives a rural area, and can't do the work very easily is the BEST time to do preventative maintenance on the vehicle before it fails and she's stuck. Common sense.

 

If the Exhaust Heat Exchanger has not failed by now, perhaps it's ok? It's purportedly a "bad batch"?

I'd be reluctant to jump the gun, do the bypass, considering it could be for naught. Better to just read up on the issue, and the bypass, have the warranty extension from Toyota on hand, and monitor coolant level in the reservoir regularly.

Still, food for thought: OP's got a 2016, which is definitely early release, before the caught wind of the issue.