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Failed "Hybrid Water Pump" ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by RuralMainePrius, Jan 29, 2013.

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  1. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    Had the Check Hybrid System and master warning light come on today.

    Took it to the dealer, who, after a couple hours, told me that my "Hybrid Water Pump" needed to be replaced. He quoted me a price of $948!!!!!!

    After nearly having a heart attack and dying, I decided to drive it home and take it to my home dealer tomorrow. I know, probably not smart, but I just needed a second opinion before I plunked down a grand on a 2.5 year old car (part is covered by 5 year/60k warranty...I had 61,000...DOH!)

    Does that price seem right? Do these things have a history of failing? What part, exactly, is he talking about? Does it go by another name, because I can't find anything about it online.

    Is it safe to drive the car short distances? I know I need to get it fixed...but my checking account is a bit tired at the moment.
     
    #1 RuralMainePrius, Jan 29, 2013
  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    There was a nationwide recall on Hybrid water pumps on the GEN II but not your GEN III. Price sounds way high to me. GOOD LUCK!
     
    #2 fotomoto, Jan 29, 2013
  3. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    Also, this is probably a dumb question, but is there ever any "wiggle room" when one is barely over the warranty miles? :(
     
    #3 RuralMainePrius, Jan 29, 2013
  4. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    Also, any thoughts about how safe to drive in the very very very short term?
     
    #4 RuralMainePrius, Jan 29, 2013
  5. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    That is the pump that cools the inverters, I wouldn't drive it.

    Are you sure that it is not covered under the emission control portion of the warranty? That would be 8 years/80K miles or longer depending on what state you live in. Read the provisions of the Federal Emissions Control Warranty, specifically page 19 of the warranty booklet. Also check page 13, Hybrid System Warranty. I am not sure if the pump is considered part of the Hybrid System or not but it certainly should be. Maybe one of the maintenance experts can tell us?
     
    #5 tumbleweed, Jan 29, 2013
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    This is probably dependent on your relationship with the dealer. The Honda dealer here covered a window door lock solenoid 1000 miles over warranty.
     
    #6 jdcollins5, Jan 29, 2013
  7. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    If you call Toyota Customer Care you may be able to get a policy adjustment if you are civil with them. Quite often they will make adjustments like paying for the parts. It won't hurt to try.
     
    #7 BZzap!, Jan 29, 2013
  8. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Wow, that's over 20,000 miles per year for you based on when you purchased your 2010. Call a regional manager and see if there's any warranty left. I would think so if it services the hybrid system. To clarify, this is not the engine coolant pump?
     
    #8 phoenixgreg, Jan 29, 2013
  9. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    #9 tumbleweed, Jan 29, 2013
  10. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    #10 mad-dog-one, Jan 29, 2013
  11. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I agree, I was thinking maybe they gave him the cost of an inverter assembly by mistake?
     
    #11 tumbleweed, Jan 29, 2013
  12. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    Funny, I called the dealer in my hometown (I had it checked out at the dealer near my work) and got a quote of $500 and change. That seems a little more palatable. The difference seems to be the labor hours.
     
    #12 RuralMainePrius, Jan 29, 2013
  13. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    So I got out my warrant booklet and I agree...since this cools the inverter it is part of the hybrid system, not the drive train! I'm going to call in the am and see if it isn't covered.

    thanks for all the responses...
     
    #13 RuralMainePrius, Jan 29, 2013
  14. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Which electric water pump are we talking about? The Gen 3 went to an electric engine water pump in addition to having the usual inverter water pump.

    The engine water pump has a MSRP of $540, so $945 to replace the engine's electric water pump does not sound completely out of line. And no, I would not drive the car with a failed electric engine water pump - this can/will cause engine damage if/when it overheats.
     
    #14 The Critic, Jan 30, 2013
  15. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    The gentleman specifically said the "hYbrid water pump" NOT the engine water pump. The hybrid pump is to cool the inverter. For some reason he quote pd this as a six hour job so 660 in labor...200 some for the part....35 for coolant gets you to 900+

    Six hours? The other dealer told me three and came up with a more reasonable quote.


    Also, the fact that the error was a hybrid system error would further confirm that it was the inverter pump.
     
    #15 RuralMainePrius, Jan 30, 2013
  16. OceanEyes

    OceanEyes Active Member

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    Ouch! It seems if a Prius needs a visit to the mechanic, they tend to "go big or go home."

    Thankfully there are lots of members here who know what to look for when the dashboard starts lighting up.

    A question... Would a ScanGauge II show if a part like this was getting ready to crap out?
     
    #16 OceanEyes, Jan 30, 2013
  17. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Yes, with a ScanGauge you can monitor both the inverter and engine coolant temperatures. This will tell you if either one is beginning to fail by rise above normal temps.
     
    #17 jdcollins5, Jan 30, 2013
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  18. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    Spoke again to my hometown dealer about the warranty issue. Bad news is that he confirmed this is a power train component. Good news is they are going to call Toyota and try to get some of it covered. Cross your virtual fingers for me.
     
    #18 RuralMainePrius, Jan 30, 2013
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  19. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Generally these things just fail with no warning. It's possible it might start "sticking" on startup for a short time before final failure and that -might- show up on the Scangauge, but I doubt you would notice.

    Keep in mind this is a $500 repair at full cost, and it failed at 60,000 mi. If you go to some dealers it costs over $200 for an oil change.

    A little perspective.

    Toyota US has in the past covered failures that are that close to warranty. My fingers are crossed for you.
     
    #19 David Beale, Jan 30, 2013
  20. RuralMainePrius

    RuralMainePrius Junior Member

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    Good news! Toyota will cover 90 percent! Three cheers for the saints at Morristown Toyota in NJ.
     
    #20 RuralMainePrius, Jan 30, 2013
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