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checking for leaks after an oil change

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by litespeed, Oct 9, 2008.

  1. litespeed

    litespeed New Member

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    Am ready for 1st oil change. I like to run engine afterwards and check for leaks. How do I fool the ICE into starting up while sitting in driveway? Thanks
     
    #1 litespeed, Oct 9, 2008
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Either turn on the air conditioner and set the temp to MAX COLD; or
    2. Invoke inspection mode.

    To enable inspection mode, make the car IG-ON while the gear selector is in P, and fully depress the accelerator pedal twice. Then shift to N and fully depress the accelerator pedal twice. Then shift to P and fully depress the accelerator pedal twice.

    Then depress the brake pedal, press the POWER button, and make the car READY. Note the hybrid vehicle icon will appear in the MFD. Do not drive the car in this condition as you may damage the transaxle since the traction control will be disabled.

    When you make the car IG-OFF, then the inspection mode will be cancelled.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Oct 9, 2008
  3. ALLISONWhite

    ALLISONWhite New Member

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    Step1: 1 Put a piece of white paper or cardboard under the car, or use an old white sheet.
    Step2: Start the engine. Let the engine run for a few minutes. Check the paper for stains. If there are stains, look for leaks around the filter and oil pan plug. Tighten up the filter and drain plug with a wrench if you see leaks.

    Step3: Park your car with the sheet or paper underneath to look for oil leaks. Let the car sit for several hours or overnight.

    Step4: Look for stains on the sheet. Identify the source of any stains by the location on the sheet and the color. Brownish black stains could be oil or transmission fluid. Reddish lighter color stains can be transmission or steering fluid. A stain that is colorless and not very oily is probably from brake fluid.

    Step5:Find the leaks. Look over the entire engine, starting at the top. If the engine is covered with oil, first use a cleaner to dissolve the oil. Common areas for leaks include the drain plug, timer cover seals, bearing seals, valance cover gaskets, and oil filter,
     
    #3 ALLISONWhite, Oct 9, 2008
  4. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    You don't need inspection mode.
    .
    It's also easy to lay under the front of the car with it idling
    and feel up around the backside of the oil filter, and around the
    drain plug. No need to wait for it to hit cardboard, since if
    you get something you want to kill the engine asap and fix it.

    _H*
     
    #4 hobbit, Oct 9, 2008
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