Exactly, so I guess in that way it does make sense why the Chevron addotive might really help. Had a Lexus ES and RX that naturally ran hot, especially on the rear bank of cylinders. It was really hard on the oil because of it. So I always admired that the Prius ran cooler.
I believe the expensive version of Techron used to say to use it only once per oil change. (I haven't looked at a can in a long time. I assume it could harm oil seals if it gets concentrated in the oil). And I think it is for injector and intake track/valve cleaning where the fuel can wet those items. I can't see how this detergent, that burns up during combustion, can help with oil control ring clogging. But if that poster said it helps... I find oil consumption can rise and fall depending on how you drive. When I'm putting the spurs to mine on an 85 MPH road trip, it will use more oil than putzin around town.
Some really good comments here. The one that I agree with the most is oil consumption is largely depending on driving habits. This I agree with the most .I drive 26 miles and 23 are highway, usually driving 65-75 mph . The next comment is the rings are the issue is correct too. The issue is the oil can't drain back and gums the piston rings which collapsing them in to the piston . I have tried all the BG fuel treatments with no luck(I am an ASE master tech with L1 cert). The cure for this is good cleaner that can soak and a lot of time. Fuel injector cleaners might get the tops clean, but doesn't do much for the rings.
Ac Delco x66, seafoam, or berryman would be good . You could also talk to any vehicle dealership for a top end cleaner, I would imagine they all work ruffly the same, I think time is the biggest factor .
There was that post about a dealership procedure that uses a leak down tester to accelerate the cleaner down around the oil control ring. My friend had his independent shop do it and the car was down for a week (I think) while they let gravity and time soak the rings and grooves. Yes, I agree, it should take time and not be hurried. My Gen 3 is not an oil consumer so I don't have a horse in the race...
Its sad but its the poor quality of gasoline you guys have in the states. In europe almost none prius has oil comsumption issues. The most gasstations have standard a cleaning additive in there gas. Thats because we have a lot of german engineering, and they require high quality gas on the direct injected turbo engines. So i think the oil issues are gas related.
Interesting theory that the 'quality' of the gas is related to how an engine ages and starts consuming oil. Are you suggesting that the carbon build up around the oil control rings is related to the quality of the gas being burned? No carbon build up in Europe? Do you have references for this claim? The states have standards for detergents and I believe the idea with Tier 1 gas is there are more detergents in that grade. But you still get carbon build up regardless of detergent content, correct? Also, are there really high mileage cars in Europe? And don't get started on the subject of direct injection. Have you read all the grief that is causing with intake valve stem and port clogging?
The reason for that is techron treatment measurably thickens oil. there was an old study to that effect buried in BITOG many years ago if you like to search. that tells us some of the cleaner goes to the oil and it may do some cleaning in the process. i'm pretty sure it does. one of the Japanese 2-cycle engine makers sells concentrated techron as official piston decarb treatment.
UK prius do burn oil too, I've seen a few with problems. I have 2 a 2010 and a 2012 and both don't burn oil. Has anyone tryed a good engine flush like liquid molly that may circulate a cleaning agent through the piston rings with the oil, this to me sounds like a more feasible way of clearing the crud built up in the piston (scrapper) rings Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Perhaps worth doing regularly every other service, maybe prevention of oil burning to start with. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Its not a claim, its my opinion. A better quality gas will burn cleaner. And we have premium gas and an additional cleaner in our gas. At least at the big companies like BP, Shell enz Oil consumption is not a problem here. A asked different garages and drivers. Also no head gasket problems here. EGR systems clog but very slowly. So my conclusion is that its the petrol. What makes the difference. But i believe that you guys do more mileage.
Does the gas there have ethanol added? And do you believe ethanol added to gas burns cleaner or less cleaner? Thanks.
My 2012 with 107k miles on it burns oil. I added 7oz of Seafoam to the crankcase and drove 150mi the same day right before the oil change. It was using about 1 quart of oil every 1k miles and I wanted to see what I could do to get that down to something more manageable. So far after a few hundred miles the oil looks new and hasn't used any that I can see. I'll keep everyone updated but the engine is more quiet and the fuel economy went up a little.
Well that certainly is interesting! Another thing to add to my list of things to try. Has anyone else used Seafoam on a oil burner?
I'm close to 1k miles on this oil change and the oil still looks clean and has hardly changed color. I'm now down 1/4 of the way on the dip stick so it's still using oil but less than it was before seafoam. Of course I'm using 0w20 but the one thing I can say for sure is that the engine is running much more smoother. I think after 5k miles I'll see where I stand with the oil consumption and will likely move to 5w30 to see if I can reduce consumption a little more.