Burning 3.9qts every 1000 miles

I'd probably try a plugs-out acetone/atf soak from above before trying to burn anything through this one.

Though honestly I'm really impressed by what it's endured so far as it is.

 

With the miles adding up, try experimenting with an industrial piston soak, like b-12 chemtool, then move up to Kreen.

How was the seafoam smokescreen show upon start up?

 

Yeah, if the consumption was related to gummed/coked up carbon around the ring landings, then I seriously doubt seafoam would do anything at all (except for a whiteout in the neighborhood upon startup), instead you will need to use a stronger solvent (mentioned above), or MEK, etc.

If the consumption is from worn out rings or valve guide seals, then soaking it will do nothing for either of those also.

I would clarify what is being done for 200, and which "valves" this mechanic is talking about. Removing the head to get at the valves or "valve seals" will take time and labor, and possibly a machine shop. The parts alone might start at around 20 for a single felpro head gasket to 40+ for the cheapest "head gasket kit" from rockauto, and goes up quickly if purchased at a toyota dealer. Maybe they could forego the head gasket and use rope in each cylinder to prevent the valves from dropping, which could drop the parts cost to 10-20 for only the valve stem seals. Basically a time intensive job all around, and not one I could see someone doing for 200.

What do they mean when they say "lasting 80% longer", is that the rate of oil consumption?

 

I didn't know that a Prius would crank its engine without spark.

 

All gasoline engines are possible to crank without spark plugs. It actually makes it a lot easier to crank. Obviously, it's then impossible to start the engine, but the car will still try to start and cycle the pistons up and down using the electric motor in the transmission that it would normally use to start the engine. This is just to pump out the excess Kreen.

 

You use Techstream to crank it over, using the compression test active test.

 

I wonder if that's mandatory though, or if @oldtechaa 's method works fine, if you don't have Techstream?

 

I've cranked it over using the usual start method before when I did a MMO piston soak. I covered the plug holes with rags and weighed them down. It blew them off and sprayed the MMO everywhere. So make sure you cover the holes well!

 

What is your impression of the Piston soak? Were the results what you hoped for?

 

Honestly, I'm not sure I was doing it right, it would only pool in 2 of the chambers, to do it properly I should have been rotating the engine every now and again and refilling.

I use 5w40 shell rotella now and that seems to have helped without affecting mpg. I am going to add some MMO to the oil though and see if that helps...or if it it just burns off since it will just thin the oil down.

 

A tad on the high side, but shop/bay time does add up. Best to just do it yourself since you've already done it once before.

Yes, add it to the oil, or use it as a piston soak after you remove the plugs, you can also add it to the fuel tank.

Just do the same piston soak as before, except replace with kreen this time.

 

I came across this thread before joining this forum and found it interesting to see how your car held out. How is your car now?

 

You still running until the oil light comes on and filling her up?

 

@Fatmatt86

Glad to hear she's still purring right along. As long as nothing is knocking, there's no reason it shouldn't keep on rollin'.

Have you ever noticed any type of oily film or residue on the rear of the car, especially the bumper area near the tailpipe?

Is the tail pipe itself black and sooty? Powdery dry soot or wettish?