Another oil burning Prius :(

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Aaron Vitolins, Jun 9, 2017.

Page 1 of 6
  1. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey everyone, my lovely over maintained Prius has started to slowly use oil.

    I purchased my Prius with 82,000 miles, now over 111,000 miles. Oil changed every 5k miles with high quality synthetic oil. Changed by my own two hands, oil checked at minimum twice a week.

    At around 100k it started. It's still slow, at about half a qt at 2.5k miles. So not bad.. but that's one car problem I really don't like. If something broke I can fix it my self... but oil burning?? No. when they consume oil that means more problems down the line, and it makes me nervous. Adding oil is no big deal, but I've always been so cautious of this, so I alway treated it so well hoping this wouldn't happen.

    My sisters 2010 with 170 miles (before engine replacement) used at minimum 1 qt every 1.5k miles. Then the head gasket blew!

    I always let the engine fire up in the morning and run for 10 seconds before I even pull away. I wanted to keep this engine perfect! Unfortunately all that was for nothing. I am disappointed in my Prius. I LOVE this car but I'm kinda sad about this Prius issue :-(

    I am going to try replacing the PCV valve at the next oil change, hope that is the problem. Fingers crossed!!
     
    #1 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 9, 2017
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,600
    8,477
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Good plan on pcv valve
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 9, 2017
    Aaron Vitolins likes this.
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    9,110
    5,520
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Let us know how or if the pcv helps
     
    #3 rjparker, Jun 9, 2017
  4. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I will. I think it might be gummed up. Although not really related, I cleaned the EGR pipe and it was nasty at 100k
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 9, 2017
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,155
    50,598
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    what year and model?
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 9, 2017
  6. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's a 2012 v wagon. Love the room, fuel economy (45 mpg) and the reliable hybrid components. The engine worries me a bit. It has a exhaust manifold rattle on slow acceleration as well.
     
    #6 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 9, 2017
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,155
    50,598
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    maybe just a heat shield needing attention?
     
    #7 bisco, Jun 9, 2017
    Lord Byron likes this.
  8. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Possibly! I checked all the heat shields underneath the card and didn't find anything. It's about 8k miles away from needed spark plugs, so when I take the wiper cowl off I will have access to the rear of the engine. Who knows, maybe even new spark plugs them self would solve the rattle by making the engine run smoother?

    Mainly sad that it's started consuming oil under my very watchful eye. It wouldn't be as of a big deal to me if it already used some oil. It's just that since I've had the car, and I've done everything I could to keep it like new.
     
    #8 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 9, 2017
    bisco likes this.
  9. sillymike

    sillymike Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2010
    59
    21
    0
    Location:
    GA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    I had the exact same problem I changed the PCV valve and it did not change a single thing on the oil consumption.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 sillymike, Jun 9, 2017
  10. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Damn.. what generation Prius? I know that the 2nd generation PCV valve replacement didn't help
     
    #10 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 9, 2017
  11. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2016
    360
    192
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Appears to be the norm with all priuses as they age. I loose a quart every 1,500 miles with 175k miles on my 09 Prius. I've yet gotten around to check the PCV value. I just top the oil off in between oil changes. Your lifters would tick like mad when low on oil since the VVTi replies on oil.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #11 eman08, Jun 9, 2017
    Aaron Vitolins likes this.
  12. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    2,036
    1,023
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    The advice is the same for you as for everybody else who has a bit of oil usage:
    On the next oil change, use a slightly higher weight of oil that is labeled for "high mileage" cars.
    This might slow down the progression but you can't UNDO wear on engine parts.

    At one quart per 5 thousand miles you really don't even have a problem yet.
     
    #12 Sam Spade, Jun 9, 2017
    CoastRider, Merkey and Aaron Vitolins like this.
  13. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I've noticed that the Honda Insight 2010-2011,(2012 insight had a piston ring problem) and the Ford Escape hybrids don't use any oil even with high miles. They are both have one thing in common.. they aren't Atkinson cycle engines. My engine shouldn't have wear at 110,000 miles. Something isn't right in the engines. I think it might be something to do with the Atkinson cycle, or the Energy saving piston rings.

    If you think about it, us old Prius drivers are putting OIL into the air? How is this green? That's just dirty! Even if it is a small amount of oil. I think it should bother Toyota that their hybrids burn oil!
     
    #13 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 9, 2017
    Bmr4life likes this.
  14. sillymike

    sillymike Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2010
    59
    21
    0
    Location:
    GA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Gen 3 2010 prius 2. Same engine.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #14 sillymike, Jun 10, 2017
  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,261
    15,499
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    This is about where I started to see oil consumption in our 2010 Prius II (now at 156 k miles and going strong:)).

    The good thing is it sounds like you caught this by checking the dipstick and not from a dash light;).

    For now, I would top up til the next oil change, then try the following:

    • Engine flush (I use BG Products EPR every oil change before I change the oil)
    • Run some fuel system cleaner prior to the oil change (I use the BG Products 44K)
    • Switch to 5W-30 synthetic oil (I have used this for over 35k miles since I began to notice the oil consumption and have not seen a drop in mpg)
    Depending on the last time you drained the engine coolant (100 k miles) and knowing that you have a spare egr cooler now (thanks to the engine swap;)), I might add to the above a egr through intake manifold cleanse. It sounds like the egr pipe was dirty, so other components will be in similar situations :(.

    Hope that helps(y).

    On a side note, do you still have your sisters old engine? If so (and you have the time), I would be curious in the following info knowing the blown head gasket situation:
    • Current state of egr cooler
    • Current state of intake manifold
    • Impeller on water pump state
    Thanks in advance if you get to any of these items (y).
     
    #15 Raytheeagle, Jun 10, 2017
    Rodhassler and m.wynn like this.
  16. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    2,036
    1,023
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    At 110,000 miles, an engine that does NOT use any oil is the exception and not the rule.

    How much can be debated, maybe, but wear is wear and can't be completely eliminated.
     
    #16 Sam Spade, Jun 10, 2017
    CoastRider likes this.
  17. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    2,036
    1,023
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    IF.....that means pouring some solvents into the oil, that is a BAD idea........even once.
    There is no good reason to do that.
     
    #17 Sam Spade, Jun 10, 2017
    CoastRider likes this.
  18. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey! Last oil change I actually used BG EPR. No such luck, it's only gotten worse since than.

    Maybe tomorrow I can tinker with the old engine. We might actually rebuild that engine eventually. Maybe put it in my Prius v when the engine blows... I will for sure change engine oil weight next oil change.
     
    #18 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 10, 2017
    m.wynn and Raytheeagle like this.
  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,261
    15,499
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Sorry to hear that:(.

    Doing an oil change on the wife's 98 4runner with 262 k miles and still going strong:)!

    It gets the EPR then MOA. No oil consumption, just a valve cover gasket leak. Fixed it once, and it has returned :(.

    Keep us posted on the tinkering (y).
     
    #19 Raytheeagle, Jun 10, 2017
  20. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Glad to hear! I'm tempted to use the EPR on my others sisters 2005 with 310,000 miles. That car uses lots of oil but it's never had anything but the water pump and spark plugs mechanical wise. Runs great and still has great acceleration at its old age.
     
    #20 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 10, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 6