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what is in the front "radiator"

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mgb4tim, Sep 1, 2013.

  1. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    I suffered some serious front end undercarriage damage this evening, you the extent of what looks to be a bent core support and the front radiator leaking some water-like fluid that sits very sticky on your finger.

    Is this the inverter coolant? It's not like any glycol or ATF
    that I've ever seen.

    I'll post some photos of the damage tomorrow when it's light out. It looks horrific.
     
    #1 mgb4tim, Sep 1, 2013
  2. Feri

    Feri Active Member

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    If it's radiator fluid, it's Toyota's long life coolant. It does feel stickier than aftermarket coolants. Almost syrup-like.
     
    #2 Feri, Sep 1, 2013
  3. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    Thanks Feri. It's clear, not thick at all, but after I dipped my finger in it, then wiped my finger off, it was really sticky like syrup.
     
    #3 mgb4tim, Sep 1, 2013
  4. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The Toyota coolant is pink, not clear. It should be obvious if it was coolant.

    Could it be brake fluid?
     
    #4 jdcollins5, Sep 1, 2013
  5. TheLos

    TheLos Member

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    Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope everyone was ok.
     
    #5 TheLos, Sep 1, 2013
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Hmm..hard to incur damage to the radiator and not damage the AC Condenser.

    The AC Condenser is pretty thin and looks just like a radiator and sits directly in front
    of the radiator. If you look through the front grill what you see is the condenser. Much more $$$ than the rad to repair. If it is damaged do not use the ac until it is replaced. System will need to be flushed.

    The radiator sitting behind the condenser is a 2 piece unit. The small one is the rad for the Inverter coolant. The big one is the engine coolant. Both use the same pink colored Toyota SLLC fluid.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Sep 1, 2013
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The big front radiator is for the air conditioning, it's on the high pressure side, dissipating the accumulated heat from that system. It's a Freon-like substance with oil additives running through it.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Sep 1, 2013
  8. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    yeah, it's the AC, whatever is behind it is bent, as well. I really don't this it's brake fluid, being tha tthe damage is in the center.

    The front undercarriage panel is bent to heck and back, the passenger wheel well liner is rubbing the tire, and the support under the radiators is bent back and up - it looks like more than just a core support.

    It's in such a spot that I can't get a good photo of it. Maybe I'll throw a jack under it and lift it up so I can get a good photo.
     
    #8 mgb4tim, Sep 2, 2013
  9. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    #9 El Dobro, Sep 2, 2013
    mgb4tim likes this.
  10. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    Thanks El Dobro - that's why I decided to send my car to a dealership to handle the repairs instead of the local body shop. there are too many things that might be "hybrid specific" that my local shop might be able to handle. With the combination of body and mechanical repairs that will be needed, I think I made the right choice. Plus, the only repairs you will see from the outside is the front bumper cover - I'd like to think that any dealer body shop can handle that.

     
    #10 mgb4tim, Sep 3, 2013
  11. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    well, both the radiator and AC condenser are being replaced. The primary estimate for repairs - $4,884.19.

    Here's a recap of the estimate ...
     

    Attached Files:

    #11 mgb4tim, Sep 5, 2013
  12. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    Ouch...
     
    #12 mrstop, Sep 5, 2013
  13. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    there's a note where it lists the $492 front cross member replacement: EXPECT ADDTL UNDERCARRAIGE DAMAGES UPON TEARDOWN
     
    #13 mgb4tim, Sep 5, 2013
  14. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Interesting damages, is it a secret how this happened?
     
    #14 rdgrimes, Sep 5, 2013
  15. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    No secret - this...

    [​IMG]

    was sticking up out of this (see above where the pipe is bent? That's how high it was sticking up.)...

    [​IMG]

    That piece doesn't look big, but here is one next to my foot to give perspective...

    [​IMG]

    There are dozens of these holes in an area about 30-40 square yards. They are drilling and pumping in concrete to shore up an old mining cavity to support the roadbed.
     
    #15 mgb4tim, Sep 5, 2013
  16. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Ouch. A specially designed Prius trap. :sick:
     
    #16 rdgrimes, Sep 5, 2013
    mgb4tim likes this.
  17. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    It worked quite well. That lower lip of the front bumper fascia was a prefect fit for it.
     
    #17 mgb4tim, Sep 5, 2013
  18. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    The radiator is $298.68 and the aftermarket condenser is $246 - both are shot. The plastic fan shroud comes in at a whopping $98.26.... for plastic!! Oh, and the lower grill is $75.73.
     
    #18 mgb4tim, Sep 5, 2013
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