1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Coolant Drain Locations

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by jamesprius, Nov 8, 2024.

  1. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    125
    17
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Haven't done a coolant drain before in any car, much less a Prius.

    Are these the correct locations? Thought I take some pics, so no one else has, and can't seem to find any videos for gen 1.

    The radiator drain is right side facing the front of the car. It's horizontal, do you need to remove the plastic shielding to drain it?

    I think the drain for inverter coolant is the plug in the aluminum area and the transmission fluid is under the black pan correct?

    I haven't lifted to car yet to find the engine coolant drain plug. Initially I thought it was on top of the engine to let air through from the diagram but from this thread Coolant Change for Eng & Inverter??? | PriusChat it looks like it underneath and drains coolant out also?
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 jamesprius, Nov 8, 2024
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,396
    1,797
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Yes generally at the bottom of your radiator is the lowest point in the cooling system of most vehicles I think including the Prius or not talking about the inverter here not that cooling system but the radiator for the ice engine It's the lowest point in the cooling system for that cooling system for the inverter You can just disconnect a hose at the pump for the inverter cooling system and let it drain out you'll see it all come out of the little tank in between the engine and the transmission and be all over your hand and on the ground if that's not a thing you can aim the hose at a container and let it run into that You could get really fancy and connect another type of hose longer and stick it over the cars fender and turn on the car and ready it and let the inverter pump pump most of the fluid into your container if you're that worried about where the fluid's going or have to be and then that usually handles the business all these other drains and openings aren't necessary to worry with so don't open them Don't even mess with them and I think the big thing on the black pan you're showing I believe that's the oil drain or some thing along those lines not water.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Nov 8, 2024
  3. jamesprius

    jamesprius Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2020
    125
    17
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, California
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I found these photos from somewhere else. Not sure if i can post the link here.

    It looks like plug on the black pan is for the transmission fluid.

    According to that post. The plastic housing has to be removed to access the radiator drain on the driver's side and to access the fill plug for the transmission.

    I haven't see if what I found is the correct drain for the inverter coolant as well as the engine drain plug for the ICE side.
     

    Attached Files:

    #3 jamesprius, Nov 18, 2024 at 5:27 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)