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Loud Obnoxious noise from front left, coolant transfer pump? DIY?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ringer37, Nov 21, 2010.

  1. ringer37

    ringer37 New Member

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    I know that you're supposed to hear a soft whining noise when starting up and shutting down the car, especially in cold weather. For at least a year now, the noise coming from my front left has gotten much louder and more obnoxious, especially in cold weather.

    From what I've seen on this forum so far, I think it is the coolant heat transfer pump. Does that sound right? Or could it be a different pump or piece of some sort? Seems like there has been confusion on this issue, from other threads I've read.

    The noise has gotten louder and longer, it lasts about 10-15 seconds now. Especially in the winter, it sounds really bad, I'm afraid the pump is going to fail this winter.

    Can replacing this pump be a DIY job? I need to replace the drivers side fender liner soon, so seems like it would be a good time to replace the pump when I have to take the fender liner off anyway.
     
    #1 ringer37, Nov 21, 2010
  2. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    #2 dogfriend, Nov 22, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  3. ringer37

    ringer37 New Member

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    ok, thanks dogfriend. Now, the coolant heat storage pump is different than the inverter coolant pump, correct? I was looking at parts on ebay motors and have found inverter pumps but no heat storage pump. Any suggestions on where I could find a coolant heat storage pump? Used or new.
     
    #3 ringer37, Nov 22, 2010
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. If the coolant heat recovery system pump fails, then the check engine light will come on. However, you can still drive the car.

    2. If you still feel the need to replace the pump prior to its failure, toyotaworld.com is a good source for new parts.

    3. The inverter coolant pump is located behind the driver's headlight, while the CHRS pump is mounted near the CHRS canister, in front of the LF tire. If you are interested in replacing pumps prior to their failure, the inverter coolant pump is a much better bet because when that pump fails, you run some risk of damaging the inverter due to overheating.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Nov 22, 2010
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  5. ringer37

    ringer37 New Member

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    Thanks for your reply, but I'm a little confused about this part. Are you saying that both pumps would need to be replaced? To clarify, I'm only hearing the loud whining noise when I turn the car on or off, and I was told it was the coolant heat recovery system pump. So I assumed I only need to replace that pump.
     
    #5 ringer37, Nov 22, 2010
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If the noise really bugs you, then you can replace the CHRS pump. The point that I am trying to make is if that pump were to fail, such failure has zero impact on the car's driveability.

    The inverter coolant pump will not give you advance notice of its failure. When that pump fails, the inverter will eventually overheat (depending upon the length of your driving trips, ambient temp, etc.) and you will at that time be dead in the water.

    Hence, in terms of relative priority for a preventive replacement, the inverter coolant pump would be higher on my list.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Nov 22, 2010
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  7. ringer37

    ringer37 New Member

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    gotcha, thanks for the clarification.
     
    #7 ringer37, Nov 22, 2010
  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Pearl's has been squealing for two years now. It's embarrassing but nobody else seems to notice. Toyota Canada won't replace it.
     
    #8 David Beale, Nov 22, 2010
  9. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    FYI, my heat storage pump has been howling like a banshee for quite a while now, but I can see that it is still working by monitoring the engine temp with my Scangauge. Patrick is correct that it should not have any effect on driveability if it does fail, it should only affect the cold start emissions.
     
    #9 dogfriend, Nov 23, 2010
  10. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Regarding the CHRS pump... Can I just disable the dang thing?

    And am guessing on engine wear & tear and MPG also?
     
    #10 maximusdec, Dec 5, 2022
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