1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Engine coolant change DIY video posted

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jreed, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The correct tightening torque is 29 ft.-lb. Use a cheater bar when loosening the drain plugs, that makes removing the plugs very easy.
     
  2. stonerider

    stonerider Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2014
    107
    19
    0
    Location:
    Lompoc, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    What's a cheater bar?
     
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,920
    3,142
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    It's a section of pipe that you slip over the wrench handle to lengthen it to give you more leverage. Works especially well on stubborn wheel lug nuts. ;)
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,674
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Or get a breaker bar, basically a socket wrench with a longer arm, designed for that purpose.
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yes, a breaker bar is better than a cheater bar used with a ratchet wrench. The latter may damage your ratchet wrench if excessive force is required.

    I have breaker bars for 1/2" and 3/8" sockets, and lengths of pipe (cheater bars) that will fit over the breaker bars and extend their lengths, thus preparing me for all reasonable possibilities. This is especially useful when doing suspension work.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,674
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    An impact wrench is best I guess? Never got into it though, not enough use and don't know the first thing about compressors.
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well, the tightening torque is only 29 ft.-lb so an impact wrench would be overkill and that wrench wouldn't fit in certain places, for example the ATF fill plug on the transaxle case. The use of appropriate hand tools is very reasonable.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. liveinmtl

    liveinmtl New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    montreal
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    Much appreciated. Where to buy the coolant bleed hose?
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,674
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring

    Any hardware store should have an assortment of diameters, vinyl tubing I think it is. Try to accurately measure the bleed bolt before going in, bring along a drill bit in that diamter, to check fit.

    FWIW, I never connected a hose when refilling coolant on various vehicles over the years: just open the bleed bolt, pour coolant until it started coming out of the bleed bolt, then quickly closed it. You spill a tablespoon or two at most.
     
    Raytheeagle and Patrick Wong like this.