Are C electric components robost enough?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cyclopathic, Nov 11, 2015.

  1. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    I don't live in mountains, but we go to them from time to time. Every time we've gone up and stopped at overlook, there is a burned electric smell coming from the car. Never had this with Gen3. Did Toyota downsize C components to the point they are not robost enough to handle load?
     
    #1 cyclopathic, Nov 11, 2015
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Could it be hot exhaust pipe, over-sprayed undercoating? That's been my experience, by the time I get to the top of our ski hills.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Nov 11, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    iirc, there are reports on the gen II or III here, regarding the burning smell after hill climbing.
     
    #3 bisco, Nov 11, 2015
  4. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    We have climbed many high passes in Gen3 Tioga, Vale Monitor, etc no problem whatsoever. These are rather really small in comparison. And no it smells like electric insulation. If it were overspray it would have manifest itself in flatlands in traffic.
     
    #4 cyclopathic, Nov 12, 2015
  5. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Not necessarily. The exhaust system would get much hotter when the engine is steadily working hard, such as when climbing a mountain.
     
    #5 CR94, Nov 12, 2015
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    In any car I've experienced over the years, the one thing that get's the exhaust to the point of smoking is a sustained uphill haul. It's also the one time I'll remove all grill block, regardless of ambient temps.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Nov 12, 2015
  7. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    All drivetrain and support components take a beating when doing hills.
     
    #7 frodoz737, Nov 12, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder if this is part of the inverter problem.
     
    #8 bisco, Nov 12, 2015
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  9. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    No the smell was purely electric (if anyone smelled electric wire insulation know) not the burning exhaust paint/rubber. And at 22K you'd expect any residual overspray to be gone.

    Irregardless after 2 days 5-600mi in mountains smell is barely noticeable. I suppose it could be just fresh electric insulation was baking in.





























































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    are Gen2 or C are known for inverter issues? I have seen hatchback discussion but don't recall this being discussed on C.

    There is also a fact that there is alot fewer Cs, and C being a city car is less likely to be taken on long trips. Still there're should be some people on west coast or Rockies who had taken it uphill?
     
    #9 cyclopathic, Nov 13, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 13, 2015
  10. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    I try not to drive my C when I know I will be driving in area with steep inclines. The C really has to work hard on steep inclines, and I prefer not to push my car. So I will drive another vehicle when needed.
     
    #10 orenji, Nov 13, 2015
  11. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    could you take it next time and see if you have the same problem?
     
    #11 cyclopathic, Nov 13, 2015
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  12. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Probably not.
     
    #12 orenji, Nov 13, 2015
  13. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    ketchi
     
    #13 cyclopathic, Nov 13, 2015
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm NEVER the instigator of our trips up ski hills. It's typically my wife and our younger son, conspiring, saying: "Let's go for a drive Dad, we'll tell you where we're going on the way. Oh by the way, dress warm."
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Nov 13, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just search 'burning smell'. there are quite a few threads, and some about c. no sign of failure yet, but will it affect longevity?
     
    #15 bisco, Nov 13, 2015
  16. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

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    I run the snot out of my prius C and have taken 80 over the sierras close to 15 times, grapevine more than 10 times, pacheco pass, the altamont etc etc etc. all the time. working hard sure, unable to maintain over 70mph? struggle? no.
    Never a burning smell here either fwiw.
     
    #16 mertechperformance, Nov 13, 2015
  17. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    well the electric smell is gone now, but the fireplace burnned wood smoke is still lingering. I think it might be small brunches stuck on exhaust. It was windy today, 50mph... Lots of falling leaves and wood.
     
    #17 cyclopathic, Nov 13, 2015
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