Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos

yep, that’s what we do too. One time I forgot and slammed the hood down and broke the filler cap because I forgot it was there

 

I've been working on bicycles, motorcycles, and cars since the early 70's.... I've done
a lot of stuff like that.
Usually because I wasn't paying attention. Or "thought" I had already done something I hadn't.....

Now that I'm antique, I'm triple checking EVERYTHING!
Even a basic oil change, I keep the old stuff in sight so I knew I did it.
I keep my 5qt jug of oil on top of the engine with the filler cap, just to be sure.
I've never forgotten to put the oil in, but I had forgotten to drain it!
Not of my car, a Mercedes. At least I didn't start it! When I check the oil level it was really high
on the dip stick!

 

When rotating the wheels, I put the torque wrench on the floor near the car.

 

We’re clumsy lol

 

He's done it.
A bit of a hack job though

 

^ Removal of the inverter coolant pump from below, WITHOUT removal of the inverter, priceless. Involved a little bending of the bracket. Maybe that could be avoided with a mod to the bracket, somehow make the bracket removable, replicate it with something removal some sort of trick. It'd be nice to just disconnect the coolant hoses at the pump too. Hmm.

 

Wweelll, it kinda appears that he did it.
He really didn't SHOW what he actually did, which is the important stuff.
But at least it's a good reference. I'm sure it was "fun" to do.

You don't have to start the car to get the inverter pump to run.
Just press the "start" button twice, don't press the brake pedal.

It "may" run with just one press, but I can't remember.

I had watched a video years ago where he did something similar.
And someone just loosened the bolts holding in the inverter and lifted it up.
Without removing any of the high voltage lines.

 

Thanks for posting it!

 

Nice, at least it’s doable from the bottom. I’m wondering how many times it’ll take bending the bracket back and forth till it snaps off. I know we won’t be changing the inverter pump too much so who knows.

 

Maybe something other than bending the bracket, mod it in some way that it's still supporting the pump, and either doesn't block removal or can be removed. In the video he says it's aluminum, but looks like steel to me.

 

would be crazy if someone made a 3D print of the bracket to have it pop off

 

Maybe cut the existing bracket at these two narrow spots, then replace with brackets per the sketch. Or, just cut the bracket, rely on 2 bolts for stability...

 

It's likely you'd only be doing it once. Unless you got a cheep pump.
I was thinking of a bracket also. But if that 3rd bolt was accessible from the bottom, it wouldn't
be an issue. Depending on where the hoses connect.

 

Maybe silicone bushings to help with support?

 

I've replaced the inverter cooling pump from below on Gen 2 Prius. I disconnected the hoses directly from the pump with long needle nose right angle pliers. Did a bit of bending on the bracket. Not sure I saved too much time as it was a fiddly task, but I do not like touching anything on that inverter. Afterward I found some guys who get to it by removing the driver's side headlight. That looks much easier! Going to be doing that pump on my Gen 3 without removing inverter, so I will advise the thread how it goes.