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Coolant system drain broken, DIY or Mechanic?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by prius_m4n, Nov 16, 2024 at 11:43 PM.

  1. prius_m4n

    prius_m4n New Member

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    2005 Prius, 181K. Hit a curb yesterday going about 25-30mph. Damage is pretty much localized to the front drivers side at the very bottom around the bumper. Didn't even pop the tire. It did, however, do some decent damage to the coolant system, breaking off the coolant drain that you can see in the 2nd picture. Decent amount of coolant poured right out of the break right there after the accident, but today the coolant is pretty much all the way full which I'm confused about since it is definitely leaking at least some since yesterday. Check engine light has been on and off since then, red triangle of death as well, as well as the overheat sign flashing on after a few minutes of bringing the car up to about 40. So it's definitely overheating at higher outputs. Thank god it's winter right now or I wouldn't be able to drive it at all to the parts stores.

    Here's a link to the reddit post I made for pictures:

    Based on the picture of the break, do I need to replace the entire crosspiece where the hoses, electrical connector, and drain piece meet? To me, it looks like I can just pull out the remainder of the piece that is still in there with pliers and plug in a new connector, based on this thread: Engine coolant drain - electrical connector | PriusChat

    Secondly I am wondering about 2 items I got codes back for the Coolant Temp Sensor and the Accelerator Position. Is this a misread? From my understanding the temp sensor is towards the top of the engine. As for the accelerator problem. I didn't hit my car that hard, is it saying the accelerator is stuck in a bad position? I noticed there's a solid piece of metal with a hole like a place to put a hook or something just the right past the damage I showed, it is slightly bent in.

    Thanks and much appreciated.
     

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    #1 prius_m4n, Nov 16, 2024 at 11:43 PM
  2. saneesh8

    saneesh8 Junior Member

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    Is that the thermostat housing? If so, replacement is super easy. 2 10mm bolt/nuts. Also replace the thermostat if never replaced..
     
    #2 saneesh8, Nov 17, 2024 at 11:54 AM
  3. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR!

    That drain is at the part of the silver tank (coolant heat storage tank - a thermos that keeps a few quarts if coolant hot for a day or three). With that broken off, coolant HAS drained out.

    The cooling system is empty and the engine has overheated. The coolant level in the plastic tank is "ok", but the radiator and engine block have nothing.

    P0117 is set when the engine coolant temperature circuit goes "too low". Normally, as the coolant temperature goes up, the signal voltage goes down (typical range is maybe 3.0-4.0V "cold" to 0.5V "hot".) "Too low" for the signal equals "way too hot" for temperature (over 284°F!!)

    Tow the car to a shop. They might have to replace the tank (see if they can get a used one) or temporarily remove it and connect the hoses together to "bypass" it. Ebay or junkyard for used. Dealer for new - but that's $$. Won't be available at a "parts store".

    Then evaluate the engine cooling system integrity. You may have already damaged the engine - head gasket failure and warped cylinder head is very possible.

    (P1121 means there's a fault with the "3-way" coolant control valve- fairly common on these and is almost always a bad valve. - not relevant to your problem right now).



    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 mr_guy_mann, Nov 17, 2024 at 1:58 PM
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2024 at 2:12 PM
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