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Leaking axle seal on 2015

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by JC91006, May 9, 2018.

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  1. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    1 day left before my warranty expires on my 2015, took it to a mechanic to have a thorough check to make sure nothing is broken or leaking. To my surprise he found leaking transmission fluid, fearing the worse, headed straight to the dealer. Turned out to be a leaking axle seal. Seems strange to have that problem at only 15000 miles.
     
    #1 JC91006, May 9, 2018
  2. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    It seems strange that you only have 15k on a 3-year-old car but seriously...it's not common. I've not had an axle leak in 5.5 years and 107k but I did lose the AC compressor at 45k. It didn't go out completely but was making bearing noises. It's good you found it before the warranty was up though.


    iPhone ?
     
    #2 trentofdestiny, May 9, 2018
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  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I took it in and talked to a foreman there, showed him a picture of the leak (so they won't wipe it clean and say they didn't find a leak). He said if it's from the transmission, Toyota probably would not cover a repair since it looks so minor. Toyota will decline that magnitude of repair if it's minor. Told him I didn't look where it's coming from, but there's red fluid there. 20180509_134931.jpeg
     
    #3 JC91006, May 9, 2018
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I find the 3rd gen ac compressor really loud. I noticed it on my 2010 but the 2015 isn't any better.

    Yes the mileage is low, a month ago this car only had 12000. I had to drive it to make sure I give it a workout before warranty expires
     
    #4 JC91006, May 9, 2018
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  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    How many Prii in your stable these days:whistle:?

    Ever hear back from the lady up this way about her low mileage Gen2?
     
    #5 Raytheeagle, May 9, 2018
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  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Never heard back from her. I still have 6, one being returned after this month, then down to 5.

    Now I spend time in my toy miata I bought for $1500
     
    #6 JC91006, May 9, 2018
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  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    What year Miata? My mother in law had a 90 in blue that she drove up to 375 k miles:).

    End up getting rid of it about 7 years back for $1500;).

    It even had the hard top (y).
     
    #7 Raytheeagle, May 9, 2018
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  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    2002 162k miles, body and major mechanicals in good shape. Just need to fix minor issues.

    Never knew how slow the Prius were until you rev to 7000rpm with the miata lol.
     
    #8 JC91006, May 10, 2018
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  9. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Geez, 15k miles and 5 Prius!!!? Hoarder! Haha. As for the axle seal, you should check where it’s coming from, I hope it’s just a loose drain plug, or else you’ll have to pull the axle out and change out the seal :( that’s no fun, but at least it’s just a mechanical repair instead of dealing with electrical :)
     
    #9 NutzAboutBolts, May 10, 2018
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  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    All taken care of at the dealer, 1 day left in my warranty.

    Can't remember reading about gen3 axle seal problem. Gen2 has a problem with the axle seals
     
    #10 JC91006, May 10, 2018
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  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Try that with a loose heat shield:eek:.

    That was one of the reasons the 90 got locked to the curb:whistle:.

    It was a hard car to also fit into:sick:.

    But you hear and feel everything in the Miata (y).
     
    #11 Raytheeagle, May 10, 2018
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  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I can barely get in and out, and I don't use the top lol
     
    #12 JC91006, May 10, 2018
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  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I’m 6 foot and I almost had to fold myself in half to fit in:eek:.

    But the hard top itself is worth what you paid for the Miata :).

    Enjoy your toy bandbox(y).
     
    #13 Raytheeagle, May 10, 2018
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i spent a winter in my miata, felt like prison.
     
    #14 bisco, May 10, 2018
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  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Hopefully you didn’t have a cell mate :whistle:.
     
    #15 Raytheeagle, May 10, 2018
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nope, she was only willing on the perfect summer evenings, of which we only get three.
     
    #16 bisco, May 10, 2018
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  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Where is this Miata now? And maybe you can elaborate on your time in prison
     
    #17 JC91006, May 10, 2018
  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    So I got the car back from the dealer, they changed the seal part 90311-50045 and a nut part 90080-17238.

    Their reasoning for the leak, due to seal spring loss of tension. What the hell is the seal spring?

    What surprised me was the paperwork didn't include a part for transaxle fluid. My understanding is when the seal comes off, fluid comes gushing out. How did it get replaced without it being on the paperwork?
     
    #18 JC91006, May 10, 2018
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  19. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Since it wasn't indicated on the list Maybe no ATF was put back in o_O
     
    #19 Grit, May 10, 2018
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  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    unless there's a magical way of not spilling any when the seal comes out
     
    #20 JC91006, May 10, 2018
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