🔧 Prius - Water Pump Replacement

Your Prius actually has two different “water pumps”: the engine coolant water pump (cools the gasoline engine) and the inverter/electric coolant pump (cools the hybrid inverter). The replacement steps, parts, and torque specs are different, so we need to pick the right one first.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the car cool completely before opening the coolant reservoir/cap (hot coolant can burn).
• ⚠️ Keep the car OFF and do not let it go into READY while hands are in the engine bay.
• ⚠️ Stay clear of orange high-voltage cables; do not unplug HV connectors for this job.
• ⚠️ Use a drain pan and clean spills immediately; coolant is toxic to people and pets.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3/8" torque wrench
• 6" socket extension
• Trim clip remover
• Hose clamp pliers
• Needle-nose pliers
• Drain pan (at least 2-gallon)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine coolant water pump - Qty: 1
• Inverter/electric coolant pump - Qty: 1
• Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink, premixed) - Qty: 1-2 gallons
• Water pump gasket/O-ring (as applicable) - Qty: 1
• Replacement hose clamps (optional) - Qty: 2-6

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and use wheel chocks.
• Let the car sit until the engine bay is cool to the touch.
• Open the hood and keep the key fob at least 15 feet away so it can’t accidentally wake the car.
• If you’ll be working near the radiator fans, disconnect the 12V negative battery terminal using a 10mm socket.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm which pump you’re replacing

• If your issue is overheating + codes like P261B or you have coolant leaking at the front of the engine, it’s commonly the engine coolant water pump.
• If your issue is a hybrid warning + code like P0A93 and you hear little/no coolant movement in the inverter reservoir, it’s commonly the inverter/electric coolant pump.
• Tell me which one you mean (engine pump vs inverter pump), and I’ll give you the full bolt-by-bolt procedure with the correct Toyota torque specs.

Step 2: Quick visual location check

• Use a flashlight (phone light is fine) and look for two coolant reservoirs: the engine coolant reservoir and the inverter coolant reservoir.
• The inverter pump is tied to the inverter coolant circuit (near the inverter reservoir area). The engine pump is mounted on the engine and is driven electrically.
• Snap a photo; I can confirm the pump.

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✅ After Repair

• You must bleed air from the coolant circuit you opened (air pockets can cause overheating).
• Verify coolant level after a full warm-up/cool-down cycle and top off with Toyota SLLC (pink).
• Check for leaks with the engine running and the cabin heat on.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$580 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.