Hey Ya'll! Long time lurker, made an account just to ask this question. I have been modding my hand-me-down 2008 prius for a couple months now, started at the beginning of lockdown when I was looking for something to do. I've already lifted it with the stiffer springs and strut spacers, much more practical for delivering pizzas now. I've decided to start modifying the bodywork now, starting with the front bumper. My goal is to make one similar to how the jeep bumpers look. Sorry for the long intro, now to the subject on hand. On the drivers side of the front bumper is the heat storage tank. It's ugly, in the way, and (for my purposes) unnecessary. I want to get rid of it. Does anyone have an idea of how I would go about that? I assume I could just remove it and all the hoses, and plug off the ends. But does it act as a passthrough for the whole cooling system? In other words, would completely removing it block off the coolant path? Thanks!
I suspect it would freak out the ecm at the very least. without some serious engineering I don't think it can be removed.
The CHRS path is controlled by the 3 way coolant valve. Upon start up and low detected engine temp the valve positioning changes to take the warm CHRS tank output and route it into the block I believe so engine gets a quicker warm up (emissions). Then when engine temp is reached the valve then moves over to the normal radiator path. I think it moves after you shut the car off and it then fills the CHRS bottle up with 180 degree water. The key to bypassing it is this valve. It would take some head scratching to accomplish it and not wake up an ecu if it see's that your trying to trick it. Bypassing it sure would improve the coolant system. I would try to get my hands on a European model Prius manual as CHRS is deleted on those models. Which means that 3 way valve is deleted also.
So it safe to bypass by T connector? because my control valve is bad and it need 45 days to come trough alixpress..and we dont have prius parts in my country...im planning to remove it and put T connection... Advise please if its safe or a wile. Regards
I don't think it would be impossible in a pinch. I'd recommend going through the diagrams of the coolant flow in the New Car Features manual (more info) and using that to convince yourself of what you want to connect to what while you are waiting for the replacement valve.
I did it, its working, but i have check engine light P1121 control vlave, and all the water is flowing together , radiator, heating tank and heating core,...its managable because it winter now, until i recive the coolant control valve from aliexpress.. Regards
Nice! Yeah I think it would be hard to delete the valve and tank without triggering a CEL. The ecm is looking for temperature chances to accompany the 3 way valve changes. Maybe relocating the heat storage tank sensor to a small section of aluminum hose would work? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
