Cleaned battery fan, 17% mpg boost

what's the easiest way to get a look at the fan or inlet? I have no idea. ?Link?

 

wow, well done!

 

I just "followed my nose" the first time, got there. That's on a 3rd gen tho.

 

I just searched on Google this phrase "prius battery fan location" (see first attachment)
Then, I searched here phrase "clean battery fan" (second attachment)

 

Just be aware that that video made by Nutz about Bolts is Gen 3 centric, so it may not necessarily translate all that well to a Gen 2. If you use the Advanced Search options, you can limit the results to Gen 2 (and child forums) only, which would return more relevant results.

 

I read this thread and cleaned mine yesterday, it was pretty bad, clogged with dog hair and dust. Before, my mpg was at around 43. Today my mpg was 41. It is a bit colder but damn I was expecting a boost. Would I get a check engine light if the fan wasn't working?

 

Check battery with Dr Prius. Could be that the long time with dirty fan caused cell damage.

 

Cell damage? BMS would probably have something to say about that.

 

Maybe
Maybe not.
Depends on how long any battery overheat was endured and extent of cell damage.
Dr Prius free is a quick and simple means to see if any cells may be degrading or not. Many other tests I’m sure can be done too.

 

So which test apps do you use?

 

Dr Prius works for me
I don’t see any issues on n IR or diff
YMMV

 

I live in the Tetons at 6000 feet and below freezing 60% of the time. I get 32mpgs during the coldest weather and 51 mpgs as soon as we get into the high 30s. Things that noticeably affect mpg are weight in or on top of the car, air con use. I drive on bad roads in lousy conditions about half the time. But mine is a 2005 with only 130,000 miles so I’m pretty content.

 

So, did all of you disconnect the hybrid battery before starting this process?

 

No, i did not, but i left the car off. There will be a case over the hybrid battery. Watch a video on how to clean the cooling fan. it’s not hard to get to the fan

 

Your missing an important step in cleaning the hybrid cooling fan and that's checking that fan's plug for corrosion.

All G2's leak rain water from cracks in the rear hatch upper corners primarily on the passenger side. To check how bad the cracks are pop off the black plastic strip on the roof. Its pulls right off. See how bad the cracks are under there they run from the upper hatch corner up that plastic cover valley.

The leak is exactly right over the connector for the fan and drips right onto that connector. Many many reports of rotted fan connectors.

Usually not an issue if the car is garaged but if its not its almost a guarantee you are leaking. This can be confirmed by getting a flashlight and looking in the 12 volt battery hole and look for either water or signs of rust in that battery well. Usually the battery is sitting in water.
bad rust under the spare tire too.

if so take the 12 out clean up the rust best you can and there's a rubber plug in the bottom. Take the plug out and drill a weep hole in it. I don't recommend removing the plug as its an easy way for mice to get into the car. They love this car's wiring.

Also its a good idea to lubricate the fan bearing take the sticker off and put some lube in there. 20 weight oil works good.

If you have a dog get some filter material from Home Depot cut out a piece to cover the fan inlet and attach the filter to that inlet with some velcro.

 

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I have this exact problem. thanks. I have to wait until it stops raining to fix it!

 

Jay

Use the search forums link up top search

hatch leak

lots of posts on how to mitigate the cracks.

Good Luck!