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2017 Prius no coolant

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by shadow4478, Sep 24, 2022.

  1. shadow4478

    shadow4478 Member

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    As temps are getting cool, I noticed we had no heat at all, looked at the coolant level and there was nothing there no pink visible at all. I never got a low coolant notification odd, I will top it off but we have been possibly driving like this all summer. who knows if more damages have been done. I guess this afternoon I will know better after I see how much fluid it takes.
     
    #1 shadow4478, Sep 24, 2022
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    How many miles are on your car? Are you the 1st owner?

    Coolant just doesn't disappear, you should check for leaks
     
    #2 JC91006, Sep 24, 2022
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there have been reports of leaking coolant from the exhaust heat exchanger.

    if you never got a temp light, hopefully it is just low
     
    #3 bisco, Sep 24, 2022
  4. sclevine

    sclevine Member

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    I had same issue back in January - leak inside the catalytic converter - had to be replaced - $$$2100 - but they can be very hard to find. Lots of threads on this.
     
    #4 sclevine, Sep 24, 2022
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Patron saint of newly poured sidewalks

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    IIRC dealerships will replace what’s needed for free, authorized by Toyota. Dealerships have been misdiagnosing as head gasket failure too, so tread carefully.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Sep 24, 2022
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  6. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Probably this...
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 RRxing, Sep 24, 2022
  7. shadow4478

    shadow4478 Member

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    It’s a 2017 with 129555 km
    I managed to put in the entire jug of slid in 3.7l or about a gallon. Heat did come back in after a few too ups, but there is clearly some issue. Now the exhaust it smoking like someone did a burnout on a muscle car. It’s mixing somehow with the exhaust. Engine oil if fine no foaming.

    it looks like the bulletin is up to 80/miles which I’m past by ~ 1000km
     
    #7 shadow4478, Sep 24, 2022
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  8. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    I'd call Toyota corporate to get override
     
    #8 douglasjre, Sep 24, 2022
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  9. shadow4478

    shadow4478 Member

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    You can do that ? Also not sure it even applies to Canada
     
    #9 shadow4478, Sep 25, 2022
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  10. Jburner

    Jburner Member

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    Those symptoms indicate almost certainly that it’s the exhaust heat exchanger keep an eye on that reservoir and don’t drive it too long without refilling. It can be bypassed if needed. There are several threads on this.

    Do report this to Toyota. In my opinion, they need to extend this to 150k or 10 years. It’s not a small function and very expensive to fix if going with OEM for the part alone.

    This hose will work in a pinch without any lights or modifications if you are up to the rather easy task. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000C2U8Q2/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_5?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
     
    #10 Jburner, Sep 25, 2022
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  11. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Even if Toyota will cover the catalytic converter (heat exchanger), there's a supply chain issue and they aren't readily available; so, if you need to drive your car regularly, I'd order the U-shaped coolant hose from Amazon and perform the bypass. It can always be reversed if you do come across a new catalytic convert with the heat exchanger.
     
    #11 FuelMiser, Sep 25, 2022
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Patron saint of newly poured sidewalks

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    It’s been reported here, dealership service departments won’t install a bypass; it’d “compromise pollution controls”. I guess their hands are tied, but I’d suspect they could get a permission, with a little bit of effort, considering the supply issues, and the consequence of bricked cars.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Sep 25, 2022
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  13. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Bypass hose is a really creative workaround. I wonder how much that will effect warm up time In cold versus hot climates....
     
    #13 douglasjre, Sep 25, 2022
  14. dacoobob

    dacoobob Member

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    I had mine bypassed while waiting for the new part to come in on backorder (private shop not dealership). A delay in warmup was noticeable but not a big deal
     
    #14 dacoobob, Sep 30, 2022
  15. shadow4478

    shadow4478 Member

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    Update: it was the heat exchanger
    Vehicle had 129980km when Parker the dealer warranty goes to 130k they fixed it no charge
    Aparently it’s an expensive repair.
     
    #15 shadow4478, Oct 7, 2022
  16. shadow4478

    shadow4478 Member

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    And there was no wait no supply chain issue parts readily available as per dealer.
     
    #16 shadow4478, Oct 7, 2022
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Patron saint of newly poured sidewalks

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    Parker? Clarify? Earlier you said coverage was only to 80k, that changed, was waived?
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Oct 7, 2022
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  18. shadow4478

    shadow4478 Member

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    Typo “parked” it was 80k miles which is under 130k but here Toyota Canada rounds up to 130k km
     
    #18 shadow4478, Oct 7, 2022
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  19. Jburner

    Jburner Member

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    That sure would be nice if that was extended to 150k or 10 yr along with the hybrid battery. I can dream… . Hope I won’t have to do either.
     
    #19 Jburner, Oct 7, 2022
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