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Prius overheating on highway. Changed thermostat. Water pump is operational.

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by CAITLIN FOLEY, Apr 28, 2020.

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  1. CAITLIN FOLEY

    CAITLIN FOLEY New Member

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    OK, the thermostat opens up in the boiling water on stove. Thermostat good. I am curious about this idea of the water pump being only half power. This might explain issue. When I get the thermostat open by running engine, the hose water sucks right up into the block. So the only difference I can think between the hose water, which goes all the way thru engine and radiator, and the water coming out of radiator is different pressure. I guess the water pump isnt pushing the water with enough pressure to move the emmissions , heater core , etc,. but not ebough flow to push it through the radiator as well. But even when I pinch the alternate thermostat hose input that sets the open/close temp, the system still doesn't pull water through the radiator. So weird. I guess I'll dismantle the water pump and check it for full functionality.
     
    #21 CAITLIN FOLEY, May 2, 2020
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    OK.....well that is REALLY unusual to have the thermostat mounted near the BOTTOM of the engine.
     
    #22 sam spade 2, May 2, 2020
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Please keep us posted with your progress.
     
    #23 sam spade 2, May 2, 2020
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Traditional thermostats can be checked via the hot pot of water and a thermometer method.

    :coffee:
     
    #24 fotomoto, May 2, 2020
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What I found revealing, was to suspend both the old and replacement thermostats in a pot of water, bring it close to boil while watching their relative performance.
     
    #25 Mendel Leisk, May 2, 2020
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  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Right at the water pump inlet. Same place it was in the 1NZ, only that was a separate traditional looking thermostat sitting behind the elbow, instead of built in to the elbow.
     
    #26 ChapmanF, May 2, 2020
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I'm not required to have a dog in that fight. Spectating is just fine.
     
    #27 fuzzy1, May 2, 2020
    Last edited: May 2, 2020
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Deleted, inflammatory.
     
    #28 Mendel Leisk, May 2, 2020
    Last edited: May 2, 2020
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  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    And apparently you think throwing insults at others is perfectly fine too.
    Even though you are "not required to have a dog in that fight" either.
    :p
     
    #29 sam spade 2, May 2, 2020
  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I didn't know that was your exclusive territory.
     
    #30 fuzzy1, May 2, 2020
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Changed it back to standard form.
     
    #31 fuzzy1, May 2, 2020
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Sorry for my previous post, it was inflammatory.
     
    #32 Mendel Leisk, May 2, 2020
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  13. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Probably no more so than mine, also backed out.

    That part you were curious about, can be edited to read whatever you want.
     
    #33 fuzzy1, May 2, 2020
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  14. CAITLIN FOLEY

    CAITLIN FOLEY New Member

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    UPDATE:
    Per Sam Spade's suggestion, I pulled the water pump. I had seen a video of a water pump replacement where the mechanic shows a good pump next to a bad pump. He shows how the spindle spins freely on the good one and has resistance on the bad one. Then he takes the spindle out and shows the magnet bulging out on the bad one. So I try mine out. It spins, but not freely like his good one. I take out the spindle. It's bulging out and magnet coating beginning to tear showing a tiny bit of rust.
    I believe I found my problem! If it's not the cause of the overheating, it needs replacing anyway. But it's definitely not pushing at 100%. I'd guesstimate the resistance I could feel manually would reduce the power 20% to 50%.
    Ordering pump tonight. I'll update after replacement.
    Thanks guys!
     
    #34 CAITLIN FOLEY, May 4, 2020
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  15. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Aha. So that's an induction motor.
     
    #35 Air_Boss, May 4, 2020
  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Pretty sure it's a permanent-magnet motor. A bunch of motors in the car are. Maybe I'm mistaken....
     
    #36 ChapmanF, May 4, 2020
  17. CAITLIN FOLEY

    CAITLIN FOLEY New Member

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    Pretty cool contraption. Evidently the impeller just sort of floats in midair while spinning.
     
    #37 CAITLIN FOLEY, May 8, 2020
  18. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Magnetic bearing, in all likelihood.
     
    #38 Air_Boss, May 8, 2020
  19. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    A magnetic link, not a bearing, is very commonly used in chemical bath stirrers. There is no physical seal that is prone to wear and leaks.
     
    #39 Georgina Rudkus, May 8, 2020
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  20. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    I just replaced one, and too bad there's no rebuilt kit for it...

    And in similar situation, lower radiator hose doesn't seem to get as warm as other hoses. Even though engine never got above 199° after 70~80 miles of very hilly highway driving, still thinking about replacing thermostat at the moment..
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #40 ttou68, May 8, 2020
    Last edited: May 8, 2020
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