Warning when getting oil changed by dealer

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by pederson80, May 26, 2011.

  1. pederson80

    pederson80 New Member

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    I went to a dealer to get my oil changed last week and when I was under my car installing my block heater I found that part of the plastic shield was cut off. :( The access panel for the oil pan and drain plug was cut off completely! I was shocked! :eek: I called them back and told them I needed that to keep my ICE warm in the winter. They are ordering a replacement at no extra charge.
    :mod:So if you get your oil changed from the dealer make sure to check to make sure you have a full plastic shield underneath the engine.
     
    #1 pederson80, May 26, 2011
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  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    There is apparently a TSB on that cover. They are suppose to replace it. In your case they just cut it off... lol. How sad.
     
    #2 spiderman, May 26, 2011
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  3. jamesa53

    jamesa53 New Member

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    Deleted post
     
    #3 jamesa53, May 27, 2011
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Is this the first time you've looked at the underside? Also: how many oil changes have been done, and did the dealer do them all?

    I can't see them intentionally just cutting it off. More likely scenario: it became partially broken at the hinge, after several openings, and they decided to cut through the remaining portion of connection. Still, not good.

    There's several threads here regarding the weakness of this hinged door.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, May 27, 2011
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  5. alevinemi

    alevinemi Junior Member

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    My Prius was 100% dealer serviced by the previous owner. I've changed the oil many times, and although I wasn't really looking for it, I didn't notice any kind of shield obstructing my access.

    Can you give me a clue as to what this is, where it is located (perhaps a pic or schematic)? Does it even apply to a Gen 2?
     
    #5 alevinemi, May 27, 2011
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Not sure but I don't think there is a shield on gen 2.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, May 27, 2011
  7. pederson80

    pederson80 New Member

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    I owned a gen II before and it didn't have the shield I am referring to.
     
    #7 pederson80, May 31, 2011
  8. pederson80

    pederson80 New Member

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    I have looked at the underside before. I didn't notice anything wrong with the hinge when I installed my block heater.
    I just bought the car last October and changed the oil twice at the same dealer. I did notice they broke one of those clips which holds it in place.
    My only guess is that it annoyed them in some way. Like you said there are several threads on it being very weak. Maybe when I get my new shield I will buy some metal hinges to hold it in place... or use military grade duct tape:)
     
    #8 pederson80, May 31, 2011
  9. pederson80

    pederson80 New Member

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    I'm not familiar with that TSB. Thanks for the heads up.
    Do you know how they are suppose to replace it?
    They told me they would replace it with another one.
    Is it supposed to be a redesigned cover?
     
    #9 pederson80, May 31, 2011
  10. LeadingEdgeBoomer

    LeadingEdgeBoomer Member

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    More info about this TSB please!
     
    #10 LeadingEdgeBoomer, May 31, 2011
  11. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I don't have details but it was mentioned in one of the other threads. I was meaning to login into toyotaowners.com and see if it was applied to my VIN and or I will stop by the dealer and see what they say.

    For what it is worth though, my cover is still in great shape after three changes.
    [edit] - toyotaowners.com does not display TSBs it appears. Will try edmunds.com.
     
    #11 spiderman, May 31, 2011
  12. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    #12 Den49, Jun 1, 2011
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  13. pederson80

    pederson80 New Member

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    #13 pederson80, Jun 1, 2011
  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Doesn't matter if it was a process that lead them to cutting off a partially broken hinge or not...you don't remove parts of someones car for your own convenience, partially broken or not, especially when there are service bulletins from Toyota about how to handle it. I'd be upset to discover this.
     
    #14 The Electric Me, Jun 1, 2011
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  15. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I check edmunds.com and it does not list this specific TSB but does show the others like the brake ECU update. It might be that the TSB is fairly new.
     
    #15 spiderman, Jun 1, 2011
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I didn't say it was good practice, I said that's likely what happened. I don't agree with it either: thought I made that clear in my post. Ok, enough hair-splitting ;)
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Jun 1, 2011
  17. pederson80

    pederson80 New Member

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    Well I just got my plastic cover replaced for free. I might be a little too paranoid but, I installed it myself. It looks like an upgraded cover. The fold line for the access panel looks like it was upgraded for sure. They didn't sound happy about giving this to me for free but, it was covered under the warranty so I think they had to do it. Thanks to all who helped. It is nice to know I can talk to fellow Prius owners about stuff like this.
     
    #17 pederson80, Jun 6, 2011
  18. kfc2

    kfc2 Junior Member

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    I got mine replaced for free on last Sat as well. They wasn't sure if the repair would be covered by the warranty or not until I showed them the TSB. The repair totally took them about an hour.
     
    #18 kfc2, Jun 6, 2011
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