Going to buy a 2005 with a dead hybrid battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Bunce, Jan 5, 2018.

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  1. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Am I right in thinking there's 2 seperate coolant systems? I'm going to have to replace the water valve since I have an error code for that.
     
    #61 Bunce, Jan 8, 2018
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes, 2 separate systems. You should change the valve the same time you drain the coolant. Check the water pump and belt while you're at it
     
    #62 JC91006, Jan 8, 2018
  3. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I prefer a .pdf because of the search feature and then print out the parts I need. Each to his own.
     
    #63 padroo, Jan 9, 2018
  4. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    I like your advice to bunce. That's the way it should be. No one should be relegated as some folks are doing right now with bunce, that has decided to buy the car.

    If I were in his shoes, I'd buy that dammed Prius, and fix em. I'm ready to bear such risks.

    If people can't advice him, sharing their experiences, they should jog on! Simple.

    Nice work sir!
     
    #64 Dxta, Jan 9, 2018
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  5. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Please I here people say its possible to get a gen2 Prius for $500-700. Is that really true? I mean, maybe accidental, or something?
     
    #65 Dxta, Jan 9, 2018
  6. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    I did pay $500, but there's a reason it was only $500.
    Obviously the hybrid battery is on it's last legs, the clear coat on the roof and spoiler have failed,a few other error codes, there's a decent dent in the right rear quarter panel and a ding in the left front quarter, the hatch handle piece will fall out if you try and open the hatch with it. The interior also looks pretty grubby, but that seems to be a way a lot of the beige interiors look even at higher prices.
    I had arranged to buy one for $1200 a few weeks ago, made an appointment at the sellers convenience and then the bugger sold it out from under me, but that one was in great shape with only the battery issue (as far as I could tell from communication and pictures).
     
    #66 Bunce, Jan 9, 2018
  7. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    The order or replacement for my 4 prii

    Front wheel bearings
    Header to muffler donut
    Struts
    Gen 2 needed a steering wrack

    Dealer inspired replacements
    Brakes......sneaky suckers

    500$ not bad, now 2500$ for a new Toyota traction battery, 2-3 years of 50mpg or better, honestly, even if they have a good reading the traction battery is how many years old?
     
    #67 Lucifer, Jan 9, 2018
  8. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Supposedly it's had its battery replaced before. What with? I've no idea, but I'd say some form of reconditioned battery.
     
    #68 Bunce, Jan 9, 2018
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you checked the toyota owners website for service records?
    either way, you'll find out when you open it up.
     
    #69 bisco, Jan 9, 2018
  10. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    I did a VIN lookup on it to find the spec. I didn't see a service record search. That could be handy, do you have a link by any chance?
     
    #70 Bunce, Jan 9, 2018
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Toyota Owners Official Web Site
     
    #71 Prodigyplace, Jan 9, 2018
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  12. gamma742

    gamma742 Member

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    #72 gamma742, Jan 9, 2018
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  13. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    If you put the vin# in at the Toyota owners website it will give you a service history if a Toyota dealer worked on the car.
     
    #73 paprius4030, Jan 9, 2018
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  14. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    I think I like cars like that. I fix such cars, and would be a great business for me.

    Clearing, and all that would be where the pockets gets hurt.
     
    #74 Dxta, Jan 9, 2018
  15. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    So I got that Toyota service history, all looked pretty good and fairly regular until the last entry in Feb of 2016. It looks like they've been tackling mis-fire issues a intermittently since 125,000 miles.

    It got a new short block at about 80,000 due to coolant consumption.
    There's a considerable number of cleaning the intake and throttle body services.

    Feb. 2016
    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON,REPORT ~|~CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON,REPORT ~|~ ~|~189157 100 CHECK CODES HAD CODE P0300 P0301 P0303 AND P0420 MISFIRE CODES ONE CYLINDER ONE AND CYLINDER 3 TRIED SWITCHING COILS AND SPARK PLUGS STILL MISFIRING ON 1 AND 3 CHECK COMP WAS LOW ON CYLINDERS, CHECK WITH BORE SCOPE HAS A LOT OF CARBON BILLED UP

    How does one get rid of that carbon buildup? I read a thread where someone had the same issue and ran I think 5 bottles of Chevron Techron through their tank in 5 consecutive tanks of gas. He was well happy with the results.

    Thoughts?
     
    #75 Bunce, Jan 9, 2018
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think you should try and fix the battery and sell the car. This one is not a keeper.
     
    #76 JC91006, Jan 9, 2018
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  17. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Is this where a good old fashioned Italian tune up comes into play?
     
    #77 Bunce, Jan 9, 2018
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  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This car is probably worth more if you parted it out, and not sell it whole. But it depends how much time you have available and if you have a storage place for the parted car.
     
    #78 JC91006, Jan 9, 2018
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  19. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    For me to buy another Prius or a VW TDI we'd be spending about $5000-7000 for a decent one. I'm going to see what we can do with this. I'm a full time student and it'd be nice to just use this for a few years, upgrade the campervan and stash a few grand for a rainy day.

    I've been looking up techniques for getting rid of the carbon and so far found sucking in water or seafoam into a vacuum line, has got some peoples cars running better. Can you use the vacuum line connected to the PCV as that would go into all cylinders?
    I've heard a mention of a soak but not a description of the process, so not sure how that works? Maybe pull plugs and spray something in and let it soak? Then drive like a bat out of hell?
    I also read about doing a half tank of E85 mixed with regular.....research continues.
     
    #79 Bunce, Jan 9, 2018
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you might as well get the battery done and see how she runs before worrying about the next step.
     
    #80 bisco, Jan 9, 2018
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