Bought used 2010 Prius - found evidence of rodents

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jrusch, Nov 5, 2015.

  1. jrusch

    jrusch Junior Member

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    A few weeks ago I purchased a used 2010 Prius from a Toyota dealer in Wisconsin. After taking it for a test drive I inspected the inside. When I looked where the spare tire is I found evidence of a rodent (chewed salad dressing pouch). I also found droppings in the glove box and the cabin air filter.

    I mentioned it to the sales person and he assured me that they would thoroughly clean the vehicle and it was inspected and there was no damage done.

    We purchased the vehicle and I am very happy with it.

    Last night I was checking the engine air filter. I found a bunch of dryer lint stuck to the underside of it. When I removed the air filter I found in the housing under the filter: a bunch of dry dog food (about a cup), a dog bone (milk bone, about 2 inches long), and the remains of a full-size chocolate/nut candy bar (no wrapper).

    The car had been on the dealer's lot for about 5 months. This was a one-owner car, so my guess is the previous owner had a dog and the rodent(s) entered the vehicle when they had it.

    So my questions are:

    1. I would like to remove the air filter housing and inspect the whole air intake system. Where can I find some pictures and instructions for this?
    2. Any other areas I should inspect for more debris or damage?
    3. Do you think a dealer should have found this in their "multi-point" inspection process before selling the vehicle?
     
    #1 jrusch, Nov 5, 2015
  2. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    1. It might be a good idea. There are other chambers in the intake that might have debris in them.
    2. Behind the glove box is you cabin air filter access. It's a simple process to remove the glove box door and remove the cabin air filter. It's pretty intuitive. A little research might help.
    3. Last but not least, one of the basic inspection points is the air filter inspection. Yes, the dealer should have caught this. I would be inclined to take the car back to the dealer and voice a complaint.
     
    #2 BZzap!, Nov 5, 2015
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  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    No, I wouldn't expect it.
    But that's because I always have dubious confidence in any dealership "multi-point" pre-purchase inspection. I find them routinely to be sales tools, more than tangible reflections of the vehicles condition.

    But a rational complaint might result in something for your time and trouble
    And at least you know what probably attracted the rodents to start with. .

    It's probably in your best interest to complain, if only to establish a record. Just in case there is more damage than you've found thus far to more sensitive systems.
     
    #3 The Electric Me, Nov 5, 2015
  4. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    This is exactly why I would have them re-check the car. You need to create a paper trail of the signs of rodents and establish that they possibly did not inspect it as well as they said.
     
    #4 Danny, Nov 5, 2015
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  5. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    If the owner had a dog, I would also inspect and clean the HV Battery Fan. If it is clogged, it will not cool your HV Battery efficiently. This would also contribute to premature failure.
     
    #5 Eclipse1701d, Nov 5, 2015
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  6. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    If there's no hole chewed in the air filter and the engine runs normally, the rest of the intake system (i.e., between filter and engine) fortunately is probably unaffected.
     
    #6 CR94, Nov 6, 2015
  7. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Be careful they are all dead. Friend parked a Prius outside and the squirrels ate the wiring to the point it had to be towed. 3K to fix it all.
     
    #7 ETP, Nov 8, 2015
  8. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    As some have also said, I would bring it back to the dealer and make it clear to them you are unhappy. It should be someone's task there to ensure you become a returning customer. See if they will provide the necessary cleaning it should have gotten before you drove it home.

    In my mind, this would be their only chance to redeem themselves.

    Good luck!
     
    #8 KennyGS, Nov 8, 2015
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