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Something stolen?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Prius Pete NJ, Aug 15, 2024.

  1. Prius Pete NJ

    Prius Pete NJ New Member

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    Our daughter found her 2010 Prius missing its front Grille Radiator, which is cheap to replace. But when I got under the car, someone had neatly cut off a section of the "Under Engine Cover #1." Did they take something?
    It's not the Catalytic Converter, I still see that and the car drives and sounds fine, although she reports hearing a "whistle."
    Anybody have any idea what they took or why someone would take our Grille and cut into the under engine cover?
     

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  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    In New Jersey holy Christ what are y'all up new Cherry Hill or something? Now doesn't look like I mean you're missing most of your plastics under there so I wouldn't replace them I mean you going to have to do something about the grill or whatever goes of the 2010 you don't have that cow catcher looking thing you pretty much just bumper cover so they stole your bumper cover or they just took the black pieces out of the bumper cover can't imagine they should be rampant in the junk yards up there more or less but front end parts not so much that's where everybody has accidents but the aftermarket has all that covered and it's pretty cheap and you can buy a whole loaded 2013 with the big black grill business in it from like 13 and up for like 450 if you shop around.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Assuming someone else is doing the oil changes, they're likely responsible for that missing piece of the engine under-cover. Repair Manual instruction for oil change says to remove the whole cover, but lots just flex back that flap: it's thin/brittle plastic, eventually breaks, drags, and someone opts to cut off the remnants.

    How about some pics of:

    Looks like a bead of fresh oil on the oil pan drain bolt btw. Very recent oil change? Or a slow leak?
     
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  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    That is the cover or oil changes. Just 2 screws/bolts and then it's folded out of the way.
    Eventually, the "hinge" brakesbreaks off... It's not needed.
    You can find the whole cover on ebay for around $50, give or take.

    You'll have to remove the front bumper to replace that grill. It's pretty easy, better if there
    are two of you to hold it up to install it.

     
    #4 ASRDogman, Aug 15, 2024
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2024
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  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yeah, Mendel is correct on this... This lost panel was a different dummy, not the recent dummy thief. And tighten that oil pan bolt to see if it stops it from leaking.
     
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  6. Prius Pete NJ

    Prius Pete NJ New Member

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    Eagle eyes. You're all amazing. I was blaming the oil drips on a different car. Looks like the quick change oil people cut off part of the bottom flap.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    The whistling is probably the airflow being disrupted by the missing panel
     
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I made a lot of money replacing motors on hyundai's that those quickie places did oil changes on.
    Double oil filter seals, not tightening the filter,forgetting to tighten the drain plug, double seals on it,
    too little oil, too much oil. Wrong filters...