I just bought a 2004 with 165K on it from an insurance auction. Looks like it took a deer to the hood. I drove it off the trailer to get it into my garage. Now I've got it all apart and need to straighten the radiator support I have easy access to the engine as was wondering if I should replace a few things now that they would be easy. Water pump? How long do they last? Anything else I should worry about? Thanks! Gerry
Start by registering the VIN at Toyota.com/owners. This will give you the maintenance and recall history as performed by Toyota dealers. Chances are that the engine water pump has already been replaced. Plugs should have been replaced already, but are worth checking. Now is an excellent time to change the transaxle fluid. The air intake is prone to cracks/leaks. It may look fine but check it carefully. Pay very close attention to the A/C. Have all lines capped until you are ready to put it all back together. Do not reuse the receiver. Pull vacuum for at least 30 minutes.
Did register the VIN before I bought it. Very limited history, last one at 148k, they charged the A/C and recommended replacing the compressor. Compressor looks original so thats a question mark. The inverter coolent pump was replaced too, but the accident took the top right off of it. The condensor is pretty bent up, still attacted, haven't opened up the A/C system yet. Where is a good place to get caps for the A/C when I do remove it? How about replacing hoses? Probably cheap insurance. Thanks! Gerry
Wow that's a real good hit there.Ah hoses are the least of your problems. Get under the front and see if the transaxle has any outside damage. Check for trans fluid leaks from the cv axles seals. They seem to take alot of punishment in front hits. Just the ac condenser and compressor alone is about $1500. And it has sat outside for quite a while with no hood too exposing the Inverter and motor to corrosion. Get the codes it is throwing and post them here.
Sorry, should have posted the first photo I took, the last one is after I already started taking it apart! Here's what it looked like when I bought it. Gerry
Cars like that go for a few thousand at auction, since the airbags are intact. It won't quite buff out, but its not horribly expensive to get it going again. It wouldn't be out of the question to spring for a carbon fiber hood.
To late, already ordered a metal hood. As for the water pump, removed the belt and it spins nice and has no play. Same for the tensioner. Bought a new belt. Have a bunch of parts coming, so far just over a 1K in parts so far. Thanks! Gerry
Progress! Now I need to get the parts painted. I have a British car club friend thats going to help me in that department. Cleaned the outside. The hard part is going to be the inside. The previous owner must have lived on a country road. Dust everywhere. Gerry
Frame was straight. Most of the damage was to the radiator support. I bought a replacement but only used the top and drivers side support. I got it at auction for $3200. Its a package 9. All the auction fees are what kills. After the fees it was just short of $3900. Got another $1600 in it. Need to buy the paint and a 12V battery. Guessing around $6K when I'm done. Engine sounds smooth, no clatters. I have to say the parts do add up. Then again the 2001 I have, I bought cheap, the owner thought the tranny was bad. Ended up being a wheel bearing. Then it got hailed on, well that paid for the 2004. With gas prices up I should be able to sell the 2001 for more that the parts I had to buy. So should all work out in the end! I'm just glad its a package 9! Gerry
It runs pretty good. I've fixed everything I have found. I am suprised how quick it shuts off the engine after idling compared to my Gen I. Haven't driven it yet other that in and out of the garage. The first trip will be to get it inspected and change the salvage title to a prior salvage title. Gerry
The engine will shut off much quicker on a Gen II and the stages of hybrid operation come into play to a much greater degree. See this post for a full explanation: http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...12919-five-stages-prius-hybrid-operation.html Getting into S4 as soon as possible really increases mpg's. What I have found out is: even though the engine shuts down(say at a stoplight), it is not necessarily in S4. The engine has to be fully warmed up for transition to S4. You will get the hang of it over time.
Okay, got it done and driving it. Still have a few details like the hood emblem to install. And thanks to my friend Brian for helping me paint it. I was hoping it would be easier than my Gen1 to keep the engine off while driving around town. I'm thinking the bigger car is canceling out some of the bigger MG2. I am surprised how similar it drives to my Gen1. Does get better mileage though. Gerry
Good job! I've done this type of resurrection several times with motorcycles. Although I've sold them for double or triple my purchase price, I basically break even when I consider the parts costs and all the time involved. I view it as I basically get to ride them for free.
