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2005 Prius 132k massive oil loss

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Caliveltz, Jan 17, 2015.

  1. Caliveltz

    Caliveltz Junior Member

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    2005 Prius
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    Three
    The car was low and I added enough oil to bring back to full. 1800 miles later, engine dipstick reading at end tip of dipstick. Added a quart, was full. Drove around 80 miles. It was low again. It has a huge film of oil spray all over the back end and it seems to be leaking a lot of oil. It's in a kind of square patterning the driveway. Not just one drip. This is my first Prius.

    Thank You!
    James Veltri
    San Marcos, Ca
    2005 Prius Package 3
    132k
     
    #1 Caliveltz, Jan 17, 2015
  2. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    Sounds to me like you've got a leaking oil pan. Gotta get under there and figure it out.

    Or get it to the repair shop.
     
    #2 Yakoma, Jan 17, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat, probably just need a pan gasket. all the best!(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 17, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The numbers don't really add up on your observations. At the end "tip of dipstick", it should be at least 2 quarts to bring it to full. So adding 1 quart would not bring it to full. Going another 80 miles, you would probably still show "low" because it wasn't full when you filled it.

    Whatever it is, you know your car is burning oil. I would check it every morning (before) starting your car. You can get a pretty good reading that way. See how it does after 1 week and see how much oil the car goes through. Top it off as often as needed so it won't go low.
     
    #4 JC91006, Jan 17, 2015
  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    The fact that you are asking implies you need to "take it" to someone qualified with a lift, ability to thoroughly clean, inspect and repair as needed.
     
    #5 frodoz737, Jan 18, 2015
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    An oil loss of that magnitude implies a substantial problem, such as accident damage. Did someone hit the engine oil pan on a curb, for example. You need to visit an auto repair shop immediately to assess the problem - if you cannot determine the source of this oil leak.

    Also, as previously mentioned, you would need more than 2 quarts to replenish the oil loss if the oil level was at the bottom of the dipstick. The reading should be taken with the engine turned off, in case that was not obvious.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Jan 18, 2015
  7. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I disagree that it's "burning "oil".

    Sounds like a massive leak through a crack or past a gasket or seal.

    Shouldn't be too hard to track down.
     
    #7 css28, Jan 18, 2015
    GregP507 likes this.
  8. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    leaking that bad all of a sudden sounds like something stupid like a loose drain plug or oil filter. get under that sucker asap and verify your filter and drain plug are tight. hand tighten the filter, don't tighten it with an oil filter wrench; those are only for removal. put a wrench on the drain plug and tighten it with 1 hand; no need to rip the threads out of the pan. if they are both tight, I'm sure you'll see where the oil is coming from. don't wait, if the drain plug is loose, it can vibrate out and you will blow up your engine
     
    #8 69shovlhed, Jan 18, 2015
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