New TSB (Sept 2009) Evaporator Coil Replacement for stinky or moldy Prius

The company that provides TSB's for my business (a paid service) does not show the TSB you listed...but if it is very new, it will take it a little while to show up.

The fact is if this problem is real, Toyota cannot hide it from the public and NHTSA, and certainly there will be warning letters to the owners as required by law.

Do you know the local and the environment your car was operated before your purchase? Was it ever involved in a mini or semi flood situation that started the growth of the mold?

I recall clearly the warnings we were given when working on Katerina flood cars that found their way north and into the used car lots. It was a very serious and toxic situation that warned us the use of breathing apparatus and protective gloves when we handle under the dash repairs or inspections.

I am very curious to know how this will pan out.

Thanks for the warning.

Starky

 

o8 TSB's

......

​

Automotive Recall and Technical Service Bulletin Titles for 2008 Toyota Prius L4-1.5L (1NZ-FXE) (Hybrid). ​

TSB Number & Issue Date TSB Title
SB0084-09 MAR 09 Tire Monitor System - 'Lost Communication With ECU' Mssg
SB0079-09 MAR 09 Vehicle - Long Term Storage Information
CRIB165 MAR 09 Body - Acid Rain Paint Damage Prevention/Repair
SB0390-08R1 FEB 09 Interior - L/H Or R/H Front Seat Squeaking Noises
SB0142-08R1 FEB 09 Body - Ticking Noise From Windshield/Back Glass
SB0391-08 DEC 08 Steering/Suspension - Vehicle Pull Repair Supplement
SB0345-08 NOV 08 Tires - Inflation Pressure Compensation/Adjustment
SB0306-08 OCT 08 A/T - MIL ON/DTC's P0AA6/P3009/Info Codes 526/613
CRIB170 OCT 08 Body - Plastic Bumper Refinishing
SB0301-08 SEP 08 Engine - Serial Number Locations
SB0300-08 SEP 08 Engine - Knock From Front Of Vehicle
SB0288-08 SEP 08 Interior - Front Seat Squeaking Noises
SB0258-08 SEP 08 Restraints - Seat Belt Tongue Plate Stopper Replacement
CRIB164 SEP 08 Vehicle - VIN Plate/Certification Label Replacement
SB0163-08 AUG 08 Fuel System - Fuel Tank/Fuel Gauge Diagnostic Tips
SB0144-08 JUL 08 Vehicle - Certification Label Information
SB0138-08 JUL 08 Body/Frame - Protective Wax Coating Information
CRIB167 JUL 08 Body/Interior - Trim Removal & Installation
SB0122-08 JUN 08 Keyless Entry - Smart Key(R) Battery Diagnostics
SB0087-08 JUN 08 Cooling - Noise From Coolant Heat Storage Water Pump
SB0048-08 JUN 08 A/C - Compressor Oil Service Procedures
SB0067-08 MAY 08 Audio System - Noise When Using an External Audio Device
SB0040-08 APR 08 Body - Paint Stained Under Rapguard(R)
SB0038-08 APR 08 Engine - Cylinder Head Cover Baffle Precautions
SB0030-08R APR 08 Lighting - HID Headlamp Diagnostic Tips Update
SB0020-08 MAR 08 ABS/TCS - Zero Point Calibration Information
BO001-08 MAR 08 Restraints - Seat Belt Extender Availability
CRIB162 FEB 08 Body - Quarter Panel Service Part Modification
CRIB163 FEB 08 Body - Sealing Hem-Flanges & Body Seams
CRIB161 JAN 08 Body - Collision Damage Repair Precautions
CRIB160 DEC 07 Restraints - SRS Service Precautions
PG007-07 NOV 07 Vehicle - Replacement VIN Plate Information
EL010R-07 NOV 07 Keyless Entry - Remote Transmitter Programming Guide
CRIB158 OCT 07 Body - Panel Adhesive Information
SS006-07 AUG 07 Battery - Absorbed Glass Mat Battery (AGM) Information
PD113-07 AUG 07 Electrical - Hybrid and Auxiliary Battery Maintenance
PD108-07 AUG 07 Body - Front Spoiler Installation
PG004-07 AUG 07 Body - Power Window Initialization Procedure
PD107-07 AUG 07 Body - Rear Lower Side Spoiler Kit Installation
PD105-07 AUG 07 Tire Pressure Monitor - Warning Valve/Sensor Activation
SS004-07 AUG 07 Restraints - SRS Component Disposal
CRIB155 AUG 07 Body/Frame - Sectioning Information
CRIB156 AUG 07 Electrical - SRS And HV Wiring Repairs
TC010-07 JUN 07 A/T - 'World Standard' Transmission Fluid Information
SS002-07 APR 07 Engine Controls - ECU Flash Reprogramming Procedure
CRIB146 SEP 06 Body - Paintless Dent Repair Information
CRIB122 FEB 03 Body - Body Sectioning ​

 

Well, it's about time. While it's not been a serious problem with my car, I've heard this complaint for years.

And it's interesting the dealer is willing to fix it for free because of a TSB. With another issue (water getting into the plugs and coils), the dealer has said "Yeah, there's a service bulletin, but we're still charging you $400."

 

You are correct. An TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) advises that a known problem exists, and provides advice about what to do about it. The TSB also says what the applicable warranty coverage is. Although your car may have the condition mentioned in the TSB, you have to pay for the repair unless the applicable warranty is still in effect.

An SSC (Special Service Campaign) is aka a recall. A few of those were issued for 2004 - 2006 model years, having to do with replacing the intermediate steering shaft, reprogramming the engine and HV ECUs, etc. I'm not aware of any SSCs issued for later model year 2G Prius. Usually an SSC is issued for a serious defect that has the potential to cause significant safety or longevity issues.

 

Great info as I have struggled with my stinky 07 for quite a while too. I spent months whining here about it and many posters tried to help especially Jayman. Bottom line was a good cleaning of the e-coil and control settings was all it took. Toyota offers this e-coil cleaning where they shoot cleaner back up the weep hose and it floods the e-coil housing with cleaner.

But even if they change out your e-coil unless you follow these tips your car will begin to stink quite quickly again. Thats right...you will have to do a few things or your car will begin to stink again. And this is the reason it started to stink to begin with.

Here it is:

The Prius unlike alot of other cars does not mix fresh air in the air mix unless selected to do so. This is important because without venting fresh air to the e-coil the e-coil which is always soaking wet will never dry off properly. It will remain semi wet and mold will begin to grow quite quickly.

Most people use there air in the Prius on recirc only which is the most efficient as you do not have to chill warm outside air or filter outside air.

Before you finish your trip adjust the re-circ bttuon to outside air input. Last mile or so...And when you park leave that in the fresh air positon which vents the e-coil to the outside air allowing it to dry.
Thats the most important part. Open that fresh air vent when you park and let the coil dry.

I can assure you this will fix the problem because about a year ago I cleaned my e-coil and followed this regimen and no smells ever
since.

Another issue: Since like me you have allergies or are sensitive to smells be aware of how many people have complained about the outgassing of the seats it seems. That might be compounding the issue for you. I lurked for quite a while on this site before I bought my car and heard about that so very very soon after I bought my car new I installed Wet Okole Seat covers front & rear. Great investment. Excellent color matched covers that actually add a nice cushion to the seat are bulletproof and I think becasue of this I have not experiecned the outgass issue which is real and many many people have complained about.

Good Luck!!

 

Can someone PM me the SB0084-09 MAR 09 Tire Monitor System - 'Lost Communication With ECU' Mssg?

I would like to read that one.

 

Thank you...I wish I could claim any credit for the info I passed along but many posters told me this info 2 years ago. Time flys! And its a fact as I have not had a problem since. I live in Florida and the air is always always on. Even in the winter. Don't think I used the heater once since I bought it.
I know what you mean it goes into re-circ automatically but I got a good habit of going into fresh air before I stop.
I have a 10 year old cop car Ford Crown Vic (anti Prius) and the air conditioning smells fine because it mixes the fresh air . Can't switch it off. It always blends. Which sucks as you always smell outside smells but the e-coil does not get funky. So you have to weigh the good with the bad. I prefer a strict re-circ myself as I know all the air is being filtered but your going to have to do a little housekeeping or it will get stinky.
Leather??...your good to go I think. Lots of posters complaining about the fabric seats outgassing. Outgassing is a common issue with new cars. I won't bore you with it but I just Googled
"New car interior outgassing" and got alot of hits. Try it! Thanks again!

 

Just saw the info about the TSB in another thread:

http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-service-bulletins-tsbs/51169-bad-smell-c.html#post1106041

 

Has anyone noticed an improvement in smell after having this TBS performed?

 

My 08 has a chemically smell when you first turn on the a/c then goes away. It is also taking much longer to blow cold air. Is this a different issue than discussed here?