Another oil burning Prius :(

Our 2010 Prius makes some 'odd noises' sometimes too. Nothing to worry about though as of yet.

Anyway, we just got back from our road trip :

Here is the route : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xHF9v2dpDqkYzE939LNQDA07UR0&usp=sharing
And some pics : https://goo.gl/photos/DowfJ4nmCwyUyofUA

The route had a LOT of elevation change, many mountain passes, etc...

Unfortunately, we had a fairly large amount of oil burn. However, I noticed that most of the oil burn seemed to happen during the "extremes" of the mountain passes. That is, whenever the dashboard gauge had "PWR" band completely maxed out while going uphill...and "braking" mode was engaged while going downhill with a full battery. Even though I was ready for it, the "braking" mode engine whine is still very unnerving! I think I need a Prius Prime or the PIP...the larger battery sure would have helped with these mountain descents. I did not notice much oil burn when cruising on the freeway.

Another observation over the past year or so is that there is noticeable oil burn when my daughter drives it. According to my 'spy' (my son), she drives the car much harder than I do ( many fast starts, etc...). And subsequently must drive a lot in the "PWR" band. When I drive it, I try to stay out of the "PWR" band as much as possible...and seem to burn very little oil.

I'm really thinking that 'PWR' band has a lot to do with our oil burn issue. Pretty much common sense since "PWR" is where the engine is working the hardest. However, I should know this...but is the engine doing something different in the "PWR" band?

 

More pressure in the cylinders as more power is produced.

As rings and cylinder walls wear, some "blow-by" occurs.
The higher the cylinder pressure, the more blow-by.

At some point it might get to be more than the PCV system can handle and some oil might be blown OUT.
PCV system service would definitely be in order I think.

 

I already replaced the PCV valve. The old one looked fine though...but I replaced it anyway.

 

At that time did you give all the hoses a thorough inspection ?
The valve is not the only component of the ventilation loop.

 

Yes I did. I'm also not totally convinced that a 'plugged EGR' is the root of the problem. I really do think some of the 2010s have a piston ring issue. Maybe a certain run of engines? Who knows.

 

Well sure, excessive ring blow-by will cause the problem too.
I/we were just trying to help you eliminate the simple and cheap possible causes first.
Good luck.

 

great read: When I traded in my04 with 124k (and 10 years old) it was not using any oil... but I did have to replace the struts at 112k... that was not fun. And brake pads had about 1/2 left....

 

I think some of the oil loses are as a result of piston oil ring wearing.

If you come to think of it, the ICE doesn't cone on as often as a conventional engine.

Might be a design flaws

 

However, when the engine is on it does work awfully hard. So maybe that fact makes it a wash when compared to an ICE vehicle.

Or maybe it has something to do with the start/stop nature of the vehicle. I doubt it but who knows.

 

I don't see the logic behind that statement.

Maybe an indirect relationship; the oil ring fails to deliver enough oil to the cylinder walls, then resulting in accelerated compression ring wear......where the actual loss occurs.

 

84,000 miles no oil usage. Been using 0-30 Mobil 1 oil since 60k miles and at 80k have switched to 0-40 Mobil 1 as it's the only true synthetic made by Mobil and is used in BMW, Mecedes, Porsche and VW. It has not reduced my MPG at all.

 

I just went through a similar thing with my gen II. I know the later prii have updated engine models, so it may not apply, but the gen II listed engine design life on wikimotors is 100k miles, after which it begins consuming oil due to piston ring and valve seal wear. After finding that info, I have resigned myself to the fact that my car just isn't young anymore.

 

This oil burning depends on many factors. I have 2 2005 with 110000 and 190000, both almost burn no oil. Then I have a 2005 with 200000 that burns 1 qt every 1500 to 2000 miles. Everything seems to be the same

 

Are you saying Mobil 1 0W20 is not a true synthetic oil?

 

The "legal" definition and the scientific definition of synthetic oil are two different things.

If you really care, do a Google search for something like "true synthetic oil" or "real synthetic oil" or just "synthetic oil" and look for definitions.

 

My 82 6.2 diesel with 438,000 miles didn’t burn oil,
My 01 Onsight with 208,000 doesn’t burn oil

I think oil burning after 100k is 1960 all over again

 

Our Honda's always used a little oil, then moderate, as they got on in miles. Never thought much of it.

 

Ridiculous statement.
Overall Toyota has a good reputation for engine longevity.
A few exceptions do not change that rule.

 

I'm also not sure that anyone can peg oil consumption as a longevity issue. Even with consumption, these engines DO seem to last.