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Inverter Coolant Pump Replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by capcadet05, Jan 17, 2015.

  1. capcadet05

    capcadet05 New Member

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    Hey folks I have an 05' prius that is still going strong at 125k! I went to flush the transmission fluid and have an oil change at jiffy lube on Tuesday. Mistake, was getting the fluids changed, oil was fine and has been done at indy shops before. Anyway they accidentally drained all the inverter coolant which is next to the drain for the transmission fluid(unbenounced to me). Two days later I hear a pump run constantly when I turned on the car which i promptly drove to the dealer fearing it was transmission problem. I put about 15 miles on the car between the time they drained the fluid and when I took it to the dealer. When I looked at the engine the coolant fluid container was totally empty. The dealer put more coolant back in and the noise subsidies but they claim the pump needs to be replaced because it was run without lubrication, $450 job with labor. I think the pump is fine and it was replaced under a warranty campaign in 2011. What do you think I should do? It runs fine now, they claim that it will fail now very soon because it was run for a period with no fluid.
     
    #1 capcadet05, Jan 17, 2015
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think you should bill the indie.
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 17, 2015
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Dealer may be right.
    The pump is right behind the drivers side
    Headlight. Make the car Ready and wait till the engine
    Turns off so its quiet under the hood.
    Put your head down there and listen to the pump
    Run.
    Should sound like a quiet purring aquarium pump.
    If not the dealer may be right.

    BTW make Jiffylube pay for all this.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Jan 17, 2015
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  4. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Yeah so many horror stories about Jiffy Lube. One of the two reasons to learn how to do simple maintenance yourself. Show Jiffy Lube the estimate to repair the damage they did. If they refuse, sue them in small claims court.
     
    #4 CooCooCaChoo, Jan 18, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2015
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  5. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    I got abused heavily for warning folks about using places like jiffy lube. if you can't diy, you need to find a good tech and get to know them, not just pull into whatever hack shop has the nicest looking coupons.
     
    #5 69shovlhed, Jan 18, 2015
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  6. capcadet05

    capcadet05 New Member

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    Thanks for all the input guys. I used to do all of the stuff myself at the military base auto shop where you could put the car up on jacks for buck and stand under it. Since times are a changing the shop shut down. The indy agreed to pay for the coolant and then agreed on paper to replace my pump in the next XXX miles if it kicks the can. Though its not replacement now I can see where they would say there is no way to know if it is broken or not right now and think this is a good compromise. I have listened to the pump and it does not sound loud after I turn off the car. The dealer took me out to the car with it on and wanted me to feel the line to the pump. They claimed you could feel the cavitation as an indication the pump was going to fail, but I'm not sure that would make sense.
     
    #6 capcadet05, Jan 19, 2015
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The inverter pump runs at all times when the car is either IG-ON or READY. The pump does not run when you shut down the car. The pump should sound like an aquarium pump and there should be no sound of air bubbling around in the lines.

    The pump that you hear running after you make the car IG-OFF is the engine coolant heat recovery system pump. That is unrelated to the inverter coolant system.

    You are worried about the inverter coolant pump failing due to lack of coolant. That is a minor issue - I would potentially be more concerned about the inverter or transaxle failing due to lack of cooling. However, since you only drove 15 miles, and assuming you are located somewhere with very cold weather right now, this probably is not a major concern.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Jan 19, 2015
  8. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    I'd be more concerned if they attempted to refill it and accidentally put a fluid where it didn't belong.
     
    #8 CooCooCaChoo, Jan 19, 2015
  9. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    The thought of grease-monkeys fiddling around under my Prius just gives me the willies.
     
    #9 GregP507, Jan 19, 2015
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  10. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    Me too. I even get nervous bringing my car to the dealership after hearing the horror stories of what goes on there too! :eek:
     
    #10 PriusGuy32, Jan 19, 2015
  11. Cory151

    Cory151 Member

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    Engine oil is fine, but I can't believe the OP instructed and allowed jiffy lube to change the transaxle oil in the first place. I know for a fact that they don't have the Toyota WS ATF the the Prius requires. I'd be worried about my transaxle who knows whatever ATF got put in there (combined with no coolant). Not good
     
    #11 Cory151, Jan 20, 2015
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Good point, they probably used some off-brand formulation of Dexron or Mercon.
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Jan 20, 2015
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Jiffy is at there max just changing the oil....I stand right there and watch them. Trans no way Jose....
     
    #13 edthefox5, Jan 20, 2015
  14. Arredla

    Arredla New Member

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    Yep got the same problem. I actually drove it for a bit and it wasn't the end of the world. Better safe than sorry though.
     
    #14 Arredla, Oct 2, 2017
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