Help with Hose Identification and Fix

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jalal, Nov 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM.

  1. Jalal

    Jalal New Member

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    I have a question about a hose on my 2010 Prius. I accidentally pinched the metal pipe while trying to remove this hose (completely unnecessarily) and I wonder what it is for?

    i tried un-pinching it as much as i could but I’m not sure if i should replace the metal pipe.

    any help identifying and:eek:r advice on whether to resolve the metal pipe still be appreciated!
     

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    #1 Jalal, Nov 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    As always, first question is “where the heck is this?”. The white capped gizmo clued me, its looking at firewall, towards drivers side (North American car), with wipers and cowl removed. Could the bent pipe be cabin heater core inlet or outlet? If so, I’d persevere with just trying to straighten it out. The alternative I think would be heater core replacement, which would monumental. Perhaps a tapered pin carefully tapped in would return it to round. Be careful to not push it back or bend it.

    note, this is a gen 2 (earlier model) forum, not the optimum place to post. Better to post a new topic in gen 3 maintenance forum. But just leave it as-is, I’ve reported and the tireless one-and-only moderator will have a look.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Nov 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2025 at 9:10 AM
    Brian1954 likes this.
  3. Jalal

    Jalal New Member

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    Thank you.

    I’m physically and mentally drained doing the head gasket job and I really don’t want to change the heater core as it may require taking apart the dash.

    You’re right, this is the heater core inlet/outlet. Possible fixes are:
    1. Replacing the heater core (most labor intensive),
    2. Replacing the aluminum pipe (most practical)
    3. Using a copper tube rounder plier to round off the tube followed by recreating the lip using a pipe expander tool (easiest but riskiest)

    I have attached images of products mentioned for reference.

    I’m putting together the engine after the head gasket replacement tomorrow morning and hoping to get someone’s advice on here about which of these routes i should take in order to fix the heater inlet issue in the meantime.

    Thank you for your insight.
     

    Attached Files:

    #3 Jalal, Nov 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
  4. Jalal

    Jalal New Member

    Joined:
    Thursday
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Thank you.

    I’m physically and mentally drained doing the head gasket job and I really don’t want to change the heater core as it may require taking apart the dash.

    You’re right, this is the heater core inlet/outlet. Possible fixes are:
    1. Replacing the heater core (most labor intensive),
    2. Replacing the aluminum pipe (most practical)
    3. Using a copper tube rounder plier to round off the tube followed by recreating the lip using a pipe expander tool (easiest but riskiest)

    I have attached images of products mentioned for reference.

    I’m putting together the engine after the head gasket replacement tomorrow morning and hoping to get someone’s advice on here about which of these routes i should take in order to fix the heater inlet issue in the meantime.

    Thank you for your insight.
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 Jalal, Nov 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM
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