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Weird situation - I could use some help

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by WHCSC, Jan 18, 2017.

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  1. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    Daughters 2002 Prius with about 145K. Has very little power. Has to be pushed around the mechanics lot. No lights came on and no codes come up. I had just changed the oil while she was home from school. I put 3.5 quarts in. Boyfriend drove it back last weekend (about 100 miles) when this happened. Mechanic said it had 6 quarts!!! He drained some out but same issue. Any ideas??
     
    #1 WHCSC, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hybrid specialist with tech stream diagnosis software?
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 18, 2017
  3. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    It's being done as we speak.
     
    #3 WHCSC, Jan 18, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe they'll find codes.
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 18, 2017
  5. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    I'll post the findings
     
    #5 WHCSC, Jan 18, 2017
    bisco likes this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all the best!(y)
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 18, 2017
  7. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    In general could having that much extra oil in it cause the issues described? Would it throw off the ECM?
     
    #7 WHCSC, Jan 18, 2017
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, too much oil can be very damaging, can even blow the engine seals.
     
    #8 bisco, Jan 18, 2017
  9. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    It could seriously damage the engine. Blow seals, bearings, rods and pistons. I've seen this happen on a combine motor--mopar 383 propane--the mechanic got distracted and put in 5 quarts, but had neglect to drain 5 out. Strange that your daughter's car even made a hundred miles. The high price of trying to do something nice. . .:(
     
    #9 Brian in Tucson, Jan 18, 2017
  10. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    I'm not sure how or when the extra oil was added. Hopefully it wasn't run with it in there.
     
    #10 WHCSC, Jan 19, 2017
  11. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    So mechanic says it was filled with diesel and all the cranking to try to start it drained the main hybrid battery. Does that sound legit? He says that a dealership can recharge it. Is that true?
     
    #11 WHCSC, Jan 19, 2017
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Ouch! So it was too much oil! Just not, what we imagined.
    Yes.
    Yes. Chargers are shared around the dealerships, so there could be some delay in getting the HV battery charged.

    Who is going to do the remediation of the fuel system to remove and clean out the diesel?
     
    #12 dolj, Jan 19, 2017
  13. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    The mechanic said he siphoned the diesel out through the fuel rail and put gas in. The extra oil is still a mystery. Nobody is admitting to adding it. Fingers crossed for a battery that is not damaged too much to be recharged.
     
    #13 WHCSC, Jan 20, 2017
  14. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I doubt that your local Toyota dealer is going to be able to recharge the battery. It is 15 years old.

    I suggest it is time to help your daughter figure out how to fund $3K for a new battery, or else develop plans to acquire a different vehicle.

    I'm just wondering how it was possible to add diesel fuel to a gasoline vehicle. The diesel pump dispenser has a much larger nozzle while gasoline vehicles have a narrow opening which is intended to prevent such an occurrence, so the person who did this had to be highly motivated... Unless the gasoline station had the wrong fuel stored in the storage tank...
     
    #14 Patrick Wong, Jan 22, 2017
  15. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    The gas station admitted to having diesel in the wrong tank. Thank goodness it is in a very small town so only a handful of cars were effected.

    The battery was replaced with a new one 3 years ago. Does that mean it should be able to be recharged?
     
    #15 WHCSC, Jan 23, 2017
  16. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Maybe. I hope the gas station is going to cover your repair bills.
     
    #16 Patrick Wong, Jan 23, 2017
  17. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    I would talk to the good lawyer and require all ongoing repairs and rental covered.....

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #17 Samprocat, Jan 23, 2017
  18. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    I have many years ago same problem with big Truck where they have Gas instead of Diesel...and i have come after company where i filled and they eat up 45 000 dollars in labor and new engine and my loss of work till they finished......so i will advise you to seek professional help to be represented in Court

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #18 Samprocat, Jan 23, 2017
  19. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    Gas station has agreed to cover all costs to bring the car back to it's condition before the incident. New battery and anything else required. Fingers crossed.
     
    #19 WHCSC, Jan 23, 2017
    Aaron Vitolins likes this.
  20. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    #20 Samprocat, Jan 23, 2017
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