Toyota Prius engine water pump replacement P261B code 2010-2015

Hello everyone and welcome to ‪@AutoScholarwithMrB‬ ! Today we are replacing the ENGINE water pump on this 2010 Toyota Prius. This is a car we have done a lot of work to, with 245,000 miles on it. These pumps do not fail often, and this is the original one we are replacing. The pump was bought at Toyota for around $300. A DTC was set for P261B with the car shutting off when the code was set. This is to protect the engine from overheating. If you have a P261A or P261C code, the water pump may also be faulty. It is also a good time to replace the thermostat, which I show in the video as well. Coolant was replace with Toyota brand coolant. I generally replace Prius parts with original equipment, as it seems to work well.
Be sure to pull the orange safety plug out of the trunk and keep the key away from the car while repairing for safety. This is a fairly easy job that should take about an hour. The car should not have to be lifted for this repair and can be done with only basic hand tools.
Thanks for watching!
Below is an affiliate link for Amazon that icludes the correct water pump. The channel does make a little money if you use the link. Thanks for your support!
Aisin water pump: amzn.to/3A7UPFU
Thermostat: amzn.to/3L7FDPc
Correct coolant: amzn.to/43Ig8LN
A good Facebook group for Prius owners: groups/Prius...
#prius #waterpump #toyota

[@EstebanLopez-nv1lh]

Thanks man Just changed my CT 200 h water pump and your video helped immensely. The way u explain carefully made me feel comfortable. This has been the first time I open the hood of my car other than for dusting it.

[@drillingmachine]

Great job in showing the engine mock up! Excellent video!

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Thanks Edgar! Good luck with your repair.

[@remingtonsypro3160]

Great video going to do mine tomorrow. Garage wanted $900 to do this Toyota water pump from Amazon $130 because of coupon I had. Some of these videos show taking more stuff off to get to it but I did exactly what this video shows It's all that's necessary that I can see. Thx for sharing!! Great job... Oh yeah cut away is great awesome you did that. Big help! Thx😎

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@kanongkamduang5986]

Thanks for this clip very good explain very clear and understand

[@mohammednaushad4356]

It was a great help , thanks

[@lorrainebwoy]

Great video 📹 👍 thanks man

[@sukhmennijjar2284]

wow you are a true champion of the priusians

[@ibrahimeassawi4009]

Good job and good man thank you

[@kudzinyamweda4163]

Wow thank you for this helpful video

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Thanks for watching!

[@fady7659]

Good video .

[@dougiee6589]

subbed just coz you had a cutaway example of the water pump and that is really helpful - be good to explain how each one works with each other like thermostat, temp sensor and pump.oh you also showed me where the safety plug is round back in the boot. nice!!!

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Dougie, check this video out, as I use the cutaway trainer a lot. Thanks for watching! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnq8f3SopL54oZI

[@dougiee6589]

@@AutoScholarwithMrB ❤

[@TheRyanTheriot]

So ridiculously helpful!

[@andrewchavez6205]

I know right !!?

[@omarosman6180]

very good video... god bless you..

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertohernanz6657]

Hola buenos días no habrá un vídeo de cómo cambiar el taco motor el de abajo de un prius plus?

[@MPDano]

Informative but you didn't show what you used to drain the coolant. Also, isn't there a bleed for air procedure?

[@trublue2319]

Gracias ese

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

De nada!

[@joecox9958]

very nice except no torque given. so P261C means thermostat fail? thanks.

[@fady7659]

Does the new one need to be spinning freely .?

[@californiausa60]

I have same problem my car. I can change. thank you so much for video.

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching.

[@EstebanLopez-nv1lh]

@@AutoScholarwithMrB Thanks for the video I was able to remove all the components to see the water pump, now I need to learn how to remove the bolts in such tight space Any recommendations?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

@@EstebanLopez-nv1lh using 1/4 inch tools seems to work. Many people get the bottom bolt off from the wheel well but I can get it from the top.

[@w0eXmb2L]

I found this advice way too late: I bought a Amazon pump and installed it on a 2010. It worked fine for a while, then I started having intermittent overheating issues. I never suspected the pump because I bought a new one. I replaced all likely culprits with no solution found. My wife took the car to Phoenix and I had to get it towed back. The headgasket is blown at 85,000 miles. I redid the head and put everything back together. It still overheats. (I put the same water pump back in.) In desperation I dropped $400 on a new, genuine Toyota water pump from our local vulture dealership. The car runs fine now even when it's 111F outside. Even under heavy loads the temperature does not go over 195F. I tried to save $250 and wound up spending hundreds more, sustained frustration, many hours of trouble shooting and replacing the head gasket, and mental anguish. Don't go there.... IT IS NOT WORTH the apparent savings, at least in my case.

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

I am so sorry to hear that. It’s almost criminal that companies put out faulty parts that cause things like this. Glad you finally got it solved.

[@TocyBlox]

What aftermarket water pump did you buy? AISIN? AISIN is basically the Toyota water pump and oem.

[@Bond007ria8]

It's the same exact part, dealer or aftermarket, at least in my opinion, unless there's a fake dealer

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

The link in the description goes to Aisin’s Amazon listing directly from them.

[@giangnguyen8344]

Do you have to bleed the system?

[@FlockingmMollifordsonite]

How’d the impeller spindle look when you pulled it out of the pump? Did you consider or lacing just the impeller spindle?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Impeller looked fine, most likely this repair was an internal electrical issue in the pump. Thanks for watching!

[@Chemike21]

I was wondering if it was supposed to spin by hand... pulled mine, and it was completely seized. Couldn't get half a turn out of it. As the car started overheating one day, I pulled off, parked for 15 min, then turned the car on, accelerated, shut the engine off and kept rolling. Did that to get it home about 5 miles away x.x glad I know what it was now... flushing the coolant and changing the thermostat and res cap while I'm at it. If anyone was interested in my symptoms here they are: was driving fine when the overheating light came on in my prius. The engine immediately shut off, and I rolled to a stop. I popped the hood, and saw that the car was overheating and coolant boiling in the res. I blasted my heater all the way to hot, and it was blowing cold. My radiator fan would come on, but it wasnt cooling the car... So I got it home as stated above. My guess was that it's either the thermostat, or the water pump. 285k miles on both. Pulled them both. Thermostat looks fine, though I'll replace it anyway. Water pump wasn't turning at all. If you are wondering on time spent, I pulled everything within about 40min first time doing it. It's a pretty easy job, though some bolts are tricky to get to. 5 12mm s on the water pump, and 3 10mm s on the thermostat that is attached on the other side of the water pump. Paid about $300 for all parts. Another $50 for new coolant. Flushed the system with distilled water. Fill with distilled, run for 15 min, empty. Until you have clean water coming out. Then empty the water, and fill with antifreeze. Done. Hope info helped somebody. Gl.

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Definitely supposed to turn by hand. Thanks for your input, and thanks for watching!

[@willyherba8900]

Good Job👌I have a question, I have a 2010 Prius and it always give me the misfire code, I have already changed the spark plugs, the coils, and the injectors and the car continues to show the same code, which could be🤔

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Is coolant disappearing? Could be a failed head gasket if so. Common in these cars.

[@liamperry4810]

Is it a different code for the hybrid system water/coolant pump? I threw a P261B code several months ago and my mechanic replaced the hybrid cooling pump but then several months later the check engine light came on again and they're telling me this time it's the engine pump. But my understanding is P261B has always referred to the engine water pump versus the hybrid inverter water pump. Thanks!

[@Mordorer]

Yea different codes for the issue.

[@ifeomanwandu4841]

Is a symptom of a faulty water pump overheating? Need some help the car is starting when it goes a couple of miles than a temperature sign shows, we have put coolant in which empties quickly suggesting a leak

[@fady7659]

I mean were you able to visually compare the seized pump with the new pump by spinning them ? Was there a difference? Regarding spinning .

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Not on this one, but normally it will be seized or have some drag on it.

[@fady7659]

@@AutoScholarwithMrB do you mean that the new one for this prius will spin freely ?

[@hedgehogthesonic3181]

@@fady7659 Yes it is supposed to spin without resistance at all.

[@claudebradley5381]

How do you like the green bean battery?

[@hittheswitchcarclub]

I bought one a year ago, Had to replace it twice. Thank God it came with a lifetime warranty

[@holylabs]

@@hittheswitchcarclubyeah its junk. May as well pay 800 more for a factory brand new battery and not deal with that headache and waste of time. Thats what i did.

[@vinhle6442]

How many miles need to be change water bump or engine light on the code?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Normally these are changed if there is a code or an overheating issue. Not really a maintenance item. Thanks for watching!

[@cherisfletcher4137]

where are you located? and do you offer repair services? I have taken my 2010 prius to the Toyota dealership a few times and they can't seem to help with my "check hybrid system" light that has come on about 2 months after getting an abs repair through them. I get code P0401 and this new code P261b has recently come up. I just got the egr valve replaced 1.5 years ago but it wasn't a toyota part so that could be the issue. I can't tell if one or both of the issues are causing the hybrid system light to come on but the car completely shuts down while driving when the light comes on. PLEASE HELP

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

I am an instructor at a local college and do not take in customer vehicles, sorry!

[@GunclePat]

Do we need to bleed the coolant to take out the water pump for inspection?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Yes, you can capture it in a clean pan or add new coolant upon reinstall.

[@GunclePat]

@@AutoScholarwithMrB thanks for the very quick reply!

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

@@GunclePat thanks for watching!

[@riceburner4747]

Great video. Interested if u get any gen 4 prii too. 👍 already sub'd

[@xxZerosumxx]

The other day i had the heat on, it stop blowing hot air and then it got hot again. The temp light came on and then off. Is this the water pump failing?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

It could be, are there any codes in the ECM? Normally that is a dead giveaway.

[@xxZerosumxx]

​@AutoScholarwithMrB Well, I finally got the code. The water pump is bad. Just ordered the parts. How long can I drive it like this?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

I would not drive this with a bad water pump, because it can overheat and blow the head gasket very easily.

[@Mordorer]

Did you do any diagnostics on it to confirm it was the pump?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

The code being set and the mileage on the original pump was enough to merit replacement in this case.

[@Mordorer]

@@AutoScholarwithMrB right on thanks man. ✌🏾

[@d1bergman]

Can you rebuild the water pump? Is there a kit to do that?

[@nightowl6811]

Just replace the rotor inside! $27 amazon, I just finished the install now, very easy and cheap, there's a recall on thousands of cars on that issue, but I just did it myself to avoid all that wait at dealer or spend $1000 in parts and labor!

[@pavlikp7603]

​@@nightowl6811сколько проехали на замененом роторе

[@edwinbab705]

Are water pump from Amazon good

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

The Aisin one is OEM, the others are knock offs that won’t last

[@user-pf8jj1uu1f]

I can't loosen those nuts. There's no room for my ratchet to move, and the electric ratchet is too weak. How did you manage to do it?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Can you use a breaker bar to loosen them? Also you may want to spray the bolts with some penetrating oil.

[@user-pf8jj1uu1f]

@@AutoScholarwithMrB I ended up using my cordless ratchet as a breaker bar, and it worked! Since it has a warranty, I decided to give it a try. The key point for me was to stay calm and patient.

[@fitrockx]

Someone knows what's the labor cost on that job at the dealership?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

I would imagine with diagnosis, install, and bleeding the system, $200 or so plus the part is a good ballpark estimate.

[@jayadinash9102]

Somebody said $900 (including parts) in another comment.

[@jenniferposton3869]

We just got quoted $789 for parts and labor at the dealership.

[@Annie-Rae72]

Does anyone have a product number for the water pump?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Amazon link is in the description.

[@Annie-Rae72]

Thanks😊

[@minhphung9252]

I have a 2011. Changed out engine, water pump, sensor and thermostat. I have issue when I drive high speeds 70-80 mph up hill. Reservoir very hot almost to boiling temperature. Temp red light would turn on or flash and then when I slow down it will eventually turn off. My mechanic replaced literally everything minus the radiator and the inverter coolant pump. Can anyone please help???? No codes or no check engine lights just the red light engine temperature turns on when driving high speeds up hill for long periods of time. Is the issue temp sensor on EGR pipes? My mechanic has replaced with all OEM parts. Any advice? Toyota service rep says might be inverter water pump, radiator clogged up, or water pump. Just a had Toyota dealership diagnosed and they check for any leaks so it’s not the engine. They said water pump and thermostat. My mechanic replaced those 2 parts. I thought I was in the clear but I wasn’t. The car still overheats when driving high speeds 75-80 mph for long periods of time and red temperature light turns on again uphill at high speeds. Anyone please help and TIA

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Might be an airflow issue with the radiator. I would make sure there isn’t debris between the radiator and condenser, and air is flowing through the radiator like it is supposed to.

[@minhphung9252]

@Auto Scholar with Mr B, my mechanic is replacing radiator since he seen stress marks and also replacing inverter pump. Only 2 major parts left

[@davejohnson6144]

Donate the car and be done with your headache

[@minhphung9252]

@@davejohnson6144 I already got it fixed and running great right now.

[@jasperj8021]

@@minhphung9252what did you fix? Me has same issue on 2010 Prius

[@delroyroomes6344]

So whenever there is a P261B code, this means it is the Water pump? Because when I am driving I hear like water swishing around under the dashboard. I was thinking this is an Inverter issue. I got the P261B so I need to go with replacing the water pump, although it says the coolant pump in my reader?

[@AutoScholarwithMrB]

Water swishing can mean low coolant or an air pocket as well. That may also trigger this code.

[@hittheswitchcarclub]

no one shows you how to remove the bottom bolt. The bolt that you cant see. why is that?

[@warrenmansfield9793]

You get that one first by feeling it until you have the socket on them feeling until the ratchet extension fits in the use a universal. Hold your hand on the socket and turn. Wax you break it loose its finger tight only but just turn slowly out.

[@w6qd]

There are other videos out there that show a total of three different ways to have access to the bottom bolt(s): 1) blind method, go by feel from above, 2) jack the car up at the passenger wheel side, remove the wheel and remove the plastic fender wheel well liner. Now you have direct and easy access to all the bolts, 3) Remove the bottom plastic shield and you have access from below.

[@Sally-nd5pc]

Hi, could you help check your email about the product sponsorship?