4th Gen DIY heat exchanger bypass solution

Have to wonder why the actual defect is not discussed. Lets face it, it is a defect and Toyota has no intention of standing behind it's product if you have exceeded the mileage in your state. I would have to re-register my car in NJ at moms house, then take it up there... then re-register it here in NC. Even then, they might not fix it.

 

Sometimes life has problems. Buy the new updated converter with heat exchanger and move on. If this is the biggest problem in one’s life, not saving the most money seems to be what it’s about, it’s been a charmed life. It’s maybe like a nice set of tires, or a vacation, or a new nice tv.
Toyota did do something, they designed a new part for the problem.

 

I imagine a world where mostly everyone has this way of thinking, in that world things are so much more peaceful for everyone. No one gets anxious or becomes keyboard warriors on the internet while we all can peacefully veg out on the internet without negativity.

 

I wonder the same thing when I read people recommend the 1.5" lift kit and fails to mention your axle rubs metal with it. Or how it was told to us that anything more then 1.5" would cause suspension issues and I proved it doesn't to then have the manufacturer offer taller lifts and springs and engine splash shields after I released them initially. but all wants to remain quiet because they read someone get in a hissy fit for longer than their expectations on an order and now I'm a scammer. hahahaha GTFOH (not you Wraith, those who spread false rumors) (side note, The Wraith is one of my top three favorite movies! I have a way to make my Prius sound like the Interceptor from that movie.)

 

I'll keep an eye on mine - not leaking now yet I probably won't replace converter because in central texas engines wake up warm already with our one cold day a year we get - if that - LOL

 

This is reality... not Star Trek. Many of us are struggling to put food on the table... or even go away for a weekend... or get medical attention. a 2K bill to fix what should not be broken is a death blow. If life is so happy, I can bring it to your toyota and you pay mr-vanvandenburg

 

heh... but are you struggling enough that you can fit all belongings inside and attached outside of the Prius you sleep in? Mainly you lost everything because you lost your storage unit after the company you started to make Prius parts had some rocky months... you see, owners who never purchased from you started spreading false information about you which led to mass hysteria and a lot of money lost due to chargebacks. since all your funds went into the company when the merchants started holding funds, you couldn't pay your storage so now.. you literally lost part of your life but someone on a forum seems to think you don't know about reality. ha. I know about it, I just had to control my brain, body and emotions to see the positive no matter what life throws at me.

So yeah, I lost stuff (material possessions) and possibly media with memories but.. you know... I'm alive, healthy and have my freedom. Yeah, Star Trek is a great place to live!

 

Texasdiver, all I can say is thank you a million times. My 2016 Prius 3 started smoking on me and I noticed my coolant levels dropping. Took it in to my local mechanic and he diagnosed it as a head gasket. After doing some more reading I learned about the 4th gens having the heat exchanger problem.

After some more reading I learned that there was a TSB out for this exact problem. I thought to myself how awesome it was that I figured out it wasn’t a head gasket problem while on top of that I was still covered under warranty! I called my nearest Toyota dealership and told them about my problem and how I believe it is the TSB. I took the car in to the service center and the worker told me it would be a 125 dollar diagnosis fee but it should be free if it turns out to be under warranty. I made sure to give him the TSB number and kept mentioning how I believe that is the issue.

Low and behold to my surprise I got a call from the dealership telling me it was the head gasket and it would cost me 8k to fix…. After learning this I went and picked my car up and felt lost until I found your post on this issue and the DIY bypass!

I ordered the Gates hose that you linked asap and as soon as it got delivered I jacked the car up to by pass it. To my surprise there was dried coolant on my catalytic converter as well as on the 2 rubber hoses that connected to the bypass. While I had the car jacked up I decided to drain the oil and thankfully that looked normal and not milky.

Sorry for the long story but texasdriver I wanted to make an account and just say thank you! You saved me from getting scammed as well as helping me keep one of my favorite cars I own! Thank you again!!!!

 

Wait, so is the fine after the bypass? If so, it IS the exhaust heat exchanger! I would move this up Toyota's chain of command or go to another Toyota dealer, asking the fee to be reimbursed by the first one.

 

I've learned there is no need to buy a hose for the DIY bypass - just re-route the hose leading from the heater core to the cat back into the return pipe - done - Much better solution because it eliminates additional failure points going to-from cat - Luck All

 

See this post and its answers

Water pressure in coolant hoses | PriusChat

 

Sorry just logged in and saw this. Exactly, I’ve put 500 miles on it with the bypass and 0 smoke and the coolant level has remained the same.

I thought about contacting the dealership but I figured they would ignore me. Do you have a recommendation on where to go to contact someone that could help me at Toyota? I assume I’ll be able to find a customer service number just wasn’t sure if there was a better person to contact that was known in the forums. Thank you!

 

Personally, no. I've only dealt with

[email protected]

But not to complain about a dealership, just to ask about warranty details.

 

Thank You for this! I'm going to proactively do this mod when I change my coolant and electric water pump at 150k miles.

 

Bekelan 5/8" (16mm) Black High Temperature 3-ply Reinforced Silicone Coolant Cap With Clamp For bypass heater Vacuum Water Port Protective End Cap Kit https://a.co/d/8ZeGXAj

 

Vancouver Toyota won't admit anything. they ruined my perfectly running prius and would not do anything about it. They screwed up on routine oil change and claim that a rock did the damage. the chances of winning the powerball lottery are greater than a rock knocking the oil filter housing off and damaging the coolant pipes.

 

SO, I am still good with the heat exchanger bypass...

 

I saw a post yesterday that showed Gen 5 did away with the heat pump as part of the exhaust system.
I hope it's of interest to someone in this thread even if new car prices are rising faster than inflation is eating into the bottomline.
Warming up Prime in Cold weather. | Page 5 | PriusChat
thanks @KMO

 

In Russia, according to general statistics, this problem is common with all-wheel-drive Prius from 2016-2018. Everyone simply loops the hose as described in the post and continues to drive without any issues.