Help I'm so screwed

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023.

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  1. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    I was changing my transmission fluid. I had to put a smaller tube into a larger tube to fit the fill hole. About 1.5" and when I was pulling out to finish the work the little extension slipped into the transmission.
    I tried a little needle tool to fish it out but it seems to have gone all the way in.
    Any thoughts or have I just cost my self a few $k : (
     
    #1 SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Might get somewhere with a little USB inspection camera, and one of those skinny spring grabber thingies.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Feb 20, 2023
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  3. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Maybe if you drain it all back out again you can fish it out from the bottom hole....???? I'm not sure if there is a removeable pan at the bottom of the transmission but most cars have that.
     
    #3 bettergolf, Feb 20, 2023
  4. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    usb camera sounds like a great idea thanks.
    No pan unfortunately
    talk about self inflicted pain lol
     
    #4 SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2023
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  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    What was the tube made of? It may be too soft to matter...
     
    #5 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Feb 20, 2023
  6. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    clear pvc that bends
     
    #6 SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023
  7. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    At least if you drain the fluid back out gravity can help you locate the object...and it may be easier to see in there from the bottom hole. It may find it's way right to that drain hole while the fluid is draining out.
     
    #7 bettergolf, Feb 20, 2023
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  8. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    I'll try now. thanks
     
    #8 SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023
  9. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Of course save the new fluid to put back in..........
     
    #9 bettergolf, Feb 20, 2023
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  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Gen 1 had a pan, but not the later ones.

    I'm not sure about the path between the fill hole and the drain hole. I'd be cautious about having the fluid carry the hose to a more unreachable place.
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Feb 20, 2023
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  11. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Have any more of the same material?

    Can you test to see if it sinks or floats in your leftover (or even the old dirty) atf?
     
    #11 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Feb 20, 2023
  12. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    drained and not feeling any tube.
    Tubbing sinks in atf. Trying to find some diagram online of where it might have gone.
     
    #12 SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023
  13. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Seeing as we're all right now breathing microplastics and they can be detected in almost all parts of our body without too much sickness, maybe your Prius transmission can handle it too? But yes by all means try to get it out first. Just don't pull the transmisison to do it.

    I'd try a USB camera from the top hole with some kind of wire or tool trying to grab it via the bottom hole.
     
    #13 PriusCamper, Feb 20, 2023
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  14. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    pretty tough stuff. hard to squeeze with my fingers. I'd imagine it could clog a port or something. few days till a camera comes.

    In my panic, I realized I posted in Gen 3 instead of Gen 2, which my Prius is. Not sure if this matters.


    IMG_9356.jpg
     
    #14 SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023
  15. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    many tranny type devices have to be siphoned, since there's no drain hole/plug.
    .
     
    #15 hill, Feb 20, 2023
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  16. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I'm pretty sure the transaxle has a fluid pump and a strainer. Assuming that the tube fell into the transaxle (maybe you actually got very lucky and it's sitting on some of the plastic covers under the car?), I would be very concerned about leaving it in there. Best case is it somehow stays out of the way, but more likely it would get mashed up and clog the strainer, then starve the transaxle of lubrication. Only bad things can happen from that point.

    If ALL else fails, maybe run it for a few miles then change fluid again and see if plastic chunkies come out with it? Maybe look at daily fluid changes for several days? $50 bucks a pop is cheaper than a burned up transaxle.
     
    #16 TMR-JWAP, Feb 20, 2023
  17. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    Thanks, I actually was able to get my phone to film video through the drain while shining a light through the fill hole. I didn't see the hose but I did see the strainer and other parts.
    I'm going to hold out at least until the endoscope comes in.
    Your idea sounds good if I still can't find the hose.
    Unfortunately, I vividly remember seeing the hose slip in and even heard a sound like someone dropping a hose into a transmission lol.
     
    #17 SanGregprius, Feb 20, 2023
  18. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Hopefully the scope lets you stab it with a needle or hook it on a bent guitar string or something.
     
    #18 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Feb 20, 2023
  19. SanGregprius

    SanGregprius Junior Member

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    so close no matter how far... I can't move the grabber any closer. I lastly used a coat hanger and have since rolled the tube by the drain plug, but now need to get the hose vertical to make it slide out. :confused:
    IMG_0003.JPG
     
    #19 SanGregprius, Feb 26, 2023
  20. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Can you knock it around with a little compressed air? Maybe a bounce or two and it lands aligned well for departure?

    EDIT: adding:

    maybe air in the top and a shopvac on the drain, so any movement is towards the drain?
     
    #20 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Feb 26, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2023
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