How to replace upper radiator hose? (with big hands)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Atari, Oct 18, 2018.

  1. Atari

    Atari Member

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    For some reason (TBD) my upper radiator hose seems to have fallen, or blown, off. Hopefully not a bad head/head gasket. Haven't seen any other indications of that. No codes.

    Anyone have instructions or some type of game plan for putting the hose back on without removing half the engine? I even have a pair of those extended hose clamp pliers, but I can't really fit in there to get the hose back on.

    Here's the problem....
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Atari, Oct 18, 2018
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    That reservoir is for the inverter, not the engine. I think you should figure out why the hose came off. Either the reservoir plastic cracked or the hose failed. Plan to replace whatever actually failed.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Oct 18, 2018
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  3. Atari

    Atari Member

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    It's not the reservoir being highlighted in the image.... look at the hose clamp within the red circle.
     
    #3 Atari, Oct 18, 2018
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I am looking at the hose clamp within the red circle. That hose does not look like the hose connecting the engine to the radiator because 1) the diameter of the hose opening is too small and 2) the hose is pointing in the wrong direction to be connected to the engine cylinder head.

    However it might be the hose that connects from the inverter radiator to the inverter. Can you get a good photo of the spout that the hose is supposed to mate with?
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Oct 19, 2018
  5. Atari

    Atari Member

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    Absolutely. It's this connector right here:

    [​IMG]

    (I guess it's directly below the coolant temp sensor?)
     
    #5 Atari, Oct 19, 2018
  6. Atari

    Atari Member

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    If you look at the 2 pictures, you can see the ribbed aluminum edge of where the hose goes on in each. The diameter looks like a little bigger than 1".


    I looked at it a little closer this evening. I think if I unbolt the inverter reservoir I might be able to get to it. 300k miles though... might as well replace the hose and the clamps while I'm there. If there is a compression or head gasket issue, new parts should make it work harder to blow it off next time? :D
     
    #6 Atari, Oct 19, 2018
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    You may need to remove the inverter for access.

    I suggest you plan to replace both radiator hoses connecting to the engine, and the thermostat.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Oct 19, 2018
  8. Atari

    Atari Member

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    I think I might be able to get away with just removing the inverter reservoir tank. Going to tackle it today. I will definitely replace that hose, clamps and thermostat. I'll update later if it was successful or not.
     
    #8 Atari, Oct 19, 2018
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just being a wag: if that's the upper hose, I'd hate to be dealing with the lower one...

    Which got me thinking: would it be easier to deal with from below, if you raised the front or ran it up on ramps? I appreciate the clamp prongs are at 12 o'clock, but maybe they could be rotated.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Oct 19, 2018
  10. Atari

    Atari Member

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    Yeah from above starting to look like inverter would need to removed, or moved.
     
    #10 Atari, Oct 19, 2018
  11. Atari

    Atari Member

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    Definitely the lower hose. #13 on the parts list.

    2006 Toyota Prius Parts - Camelback Toyota Parts - Genuine OEM Parts - Free Shipping
     
    #11 Atari, Oct 19, 2018
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  12. Atari

    Atari Member

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    confusing. The part is "lower" hose to toyota. But everywhere else lists it as upper.
     
    #12 Atari, Oct 19, 2018
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  13. Atari

    Atari Member

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    Got the hose out w/o removing inverter. Very difficult. I'll see what I can do to video putting it back in.
     
    #13 Atari, Oct 19, 2018
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  14. toy4speed

    toy4speed Junior Member

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    I'm trying to replace that same radiator hose on my '07 Prius right now. I can see the hose connection and clamp (at the head), and "maybe" can remove the hose via long pliers squeezing the clamp and long levers to pry the hose off, but have no idea how I will get my hand in there to reattach the new hose. Were you able to attach your hose w/o removing the inverter? Any other tips?
     
    #14 toy4speed, Jan 14, 2019
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  15. toy4speed

    toy4speed Junior Member

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    Well, I decided to give up trying to remove the radiator hose. Couldn't get to the hose clamp. I think if I could have removed the clamp, might have got it done. Could get my arm and hand along the hose about 80% up to the end at the clamp, no more. Did not remove the inverter fill tank, could not get to the rear, lower mounting bolt to remove it. Oh well, gave it a shot.
     
    #15 toy4speed, Jan 16, 2019
  16. GetShrek'd

    GetShrek'd New Member

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    Updates?
     
    #16 GetShrek'd, Mar 24, 2021
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @toy4speed’s last activity (shown in his avatar info) was over a year back. By invoking his name (as I did), if he does come to the site he’ll get an alert.
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Mar 24, 2021
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