Excessive Oil Consumption on 2010 Prius

thanks for posting. very informative. is the non-hybrid version (2ZR-FE) also affected?
BTW, here is a google translation (quite readable):

INTRODUCTION
This bulletin service contains information on production
change and a process for eliminating the problem. Applies to vehicles manufactured before
production changes, which came into force from the vehicle engine number,
below.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM
Some customers may complain of a marked increase in oil consumption and the need for frequent
oil refilling.
Testing shows the internal parts of the engine that the cause of this problem is the contamination
oil rings. Contamination of oil rings is typical for certain modes
operation, for example, for long-term operation of the engine at idle. Pollution
oil rings leads to a marked increase in oil consumption.
Background information on oil consumption:
For effective lubrication and cooling of all the internal parts of internal combustion engines
consume a certain amount of engine oil. As in the case of a rate of fuel consumption
engine oil depends on driving style and vehicle operating conditions. For
characterized by various different engine oil consumption, which, moreover, may vary in
As the engine. Oil consumption is determined by the quality and viscosity of the oil,
crankshaft speed during engine operation, ambient air
and the engine operating temperature and road conditions. Additional factors,
affecting oil consumption, oil dilution water are condensate or fuel, as well as
the level of oil oxidation.
It is essential to base an assessment on the degree of oil consumption on the operating conditions data
vehicles. Inform the client about the break-in period of the new engine.
The following severe driving conditions significantly increase oil consumption:
• Continuous operation of the engine at idle (for example, in the mash, when the vehicle is in operation
as taxis, delivery of parcels in the city and so on.)
• A large proportion of operating a vehicle in moving off-stop mode (for example, in the mash,
traffic in the city, delivering mail address, etc.).
• Vehicle Operation in a polluted atmosphere
• A large proportion of operating a vehicle at high speed / high load with
• Use of low-quality lubricants and toplivaEG-0112T-0914 Page 2 of 4
TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV / SA
QUALITY
SERVICE
INDUSTRIAL CHANGE
Scraper ring are replaced by a new type of rings, have better protection
contamination with small particles of soot under severe operating conditions.
To comply with the new oil scraper ring reshaped piston.
INFORMATION ON INDUSTRIAL CHANGE
Model Model Code Factory
production
changes concern
these VIN
Engine Number Date of introduction
Prius
ZVW30
Shimoyama
JTDKN36U205739928 5990745
January 2014
ZVW35 JTDKN36P803055133 5981658
ZVW40 JTDZS3EU503098374 6061138 February 2014
Auris
ZWE150
TMUK
Out of production
ZWE186 SB1ZS3JEX0E090777 U871537 April 2014
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ITEMS
Previous number
details
Current part number Description Number
13101-37120 13101-0T040 Piston with a finger assembly 4
13011-37110 13011-37260 Piston Ring Set 1
Not for re-use:
The list of parts that are not subject to repeated use, refer to the repair manual
a specific model:
Details powertrain and body:
МЕХАНИЧЕСКАЯ ЧАСТЬ ДВИГАТЕЛЯ 2ZR-FXE > ДВИГАТЕЛЬ В СБОРЕ > УЗЛЫ ">"ENGINE> Engine Mechanical 2ZR-FXE> MOTOR ASSEMBLY> UNITS
AND DETAILS. "
Details of the engine:
МЕХАНИЧЕСКАЯ ЧАСТЬ ДВИГАТЕЛЯ 2ZR-FXE > ДВИГАТЕЛЬ > УЗЛЫ И ">"ENGINE> Engine Mechanical 2ZR-FXE> Motor> UNITS AND
DETAILS. "
Details of the cylinder:
МЕХАНИЧЕСКАЯ ЧАСТЬ ДВИГАТЕЛЯ 2ZR-FXE > БЛОК ЦИЛИНДРОВ > УЗЛЫ И ">"ENGINE> Engine Mechanical 2ZR-FXE> CYLINDER BLOCK> UNITS AND
DETAILS. "
REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Make sure there is no leakage of engine oil.
At detection of traces of leaks be repaired in accordance with the workshop manual
particular model.
2. Determine the flow of engine oil.
a) Stop the car on level ground.
b) Warm up the engine to operating temperature, then leave
it off for at least 5 minutes.
- Operating temperature = Coolant temperature
Engine 75 - 86 ºC.
c) Check the engine oil level on the oil level dipstick.
Check whether the engine oil level is below the maximum mark.
d) Fill with engine oil up to the maximum mark.
e) To note the amount of oil and topped up odometer and document maintenance
car.
Minimum
MaksimumEG-0112T-0914 Page 3 of 4
TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV / SA
QUALITY
SERVICE
f) Return the car to the customer, explain the measurements and ask to return after
overcoming 5000 km.
It is recommended to inform the client of the need to check the oil level every
1000 km, in order to avoid engine damage due to lack of oil.
Operations after overcoming 5000 km:
g) Repeat steps a) - e) and to determine the amount of oil consumed from the time
previous measurement.
Example: Measure the distance and calculate the oil consumption according to the following formula:
1) The first test:
Mileage: 65,235 km
The oil level: max.
2) Second check:
Mileage: 69,900 km
In fact, topped up
Oil Capacity: 1.4 l
h) Calculate the oil consumption per 1000 km
i) Determine next steps based on the following criteria:
• Oil consumption does not exceed 0.3 l / 1000 km:
Nominal value. Information that should be communicated to the client, given in
see "Background information on oil consumption."
• Oil consumption is in the range of 0.3-0.5 l / 1000 km:
Increased oil consumption, require additional technical analysis
It is necessary to interrogate the client to identify the vehicle operating conditions and to make
final conclusion:
o The harsh operating conditions, the oil consumption is considered acceptable if
the vehicle is operated under severe conditions. The information that must be
to convey to the client, see "Background information on oil consumption."
o Normal operating conditions: perform a repair in accordance with paragraph 3 of section.
"Repair Procedure".
• Oil consumption is not less than 0.5 l / 1000 km:
Carry out repairs in accordance with para. 3 of "Repair Procedure".
3. Replace the pistons with fingers in the collection and a set of piston rings advanced.
Detailed description of repair procedures given in the manual for repairing a specific model:
Remove / install the motor unit with the gearbox and final drive with the car / on
car:
МЕХАНИЧЕСКАЯ ЧАСТЬ ДВИГАТЕЛЯ 2ZR-FXE > ДВИГАТЕЛЬ В СБОРЕ». ">"ENGINE> Engine Mechanical 2ZR-FXE> ENGINE ASSEMBLY".
To disassemble / assemble the engine to the engine block:
МЕХАНИЧЕСКАЯ ЧАСТЬ ДВИГАТЕЛЯ 2ZR-FXE > ДВИГАТЕЛЬ». ">"ENGINE> Engine Mechanical 2ZR-FXE> ENGINE".
Replace pistons and piston rings:
МЕХАНИЧЕСКАЯ ЧАСТЬ ДВИГАТЕЛЯ 2ZR-FXE > БЛОК ЦИЛИНДРОВ»">"ENGINE> Engine Mechanical 2ZR-FXE> CYLINDER BLOCK"

 

So for those of us who aren't excited about rebuilding or replacing this engine, what do you folks think about using a ring seal product like Lucas Oil Stop or Rislone Ring Seal? Has anyone tried these in a Gen 3 Prius?

Thanks,
Billy

 

As a last resort, you could try Gorilla Glue, I suppose.

 

How many miles on yours? And what is the oil consumption rate? What oil and thickness ?

 

185k
1quart/1000 miles
Toyota synthetic 0w20

 

Ever try going up on the viscosity? I know you are on PA, but that may help. Is the consumption the same regardless of the season? When did you start to notice the consumption begin? Has it always been at that level or has it begun to get worse?

Oh and when you get a chance, if you can reply to the questions in the other thread, I would appreciate it!

 

Go right by 5W20 and try 5W30, the 2nd gen grade? You could use it for top up, starting right away.

 

I checked the oil today. The car had been driven about 1300 miles since the work above was done.

I'm sorry to say that some oil was consumed - about half of a quart. Bummer! I topped it up and will continue to monitor.

I did read on another thread that using a bottle of Techron on EVERY fillup over several tanks seemed to help. I'm very skeptical about this but I thought I'd give it a shot. This is starting to seem like 'snake oil' though!

One other interesting observation. My daughter has been driving the car and the consumption seems to be worse when she drives it. She certainly DOES drive the car much harder that I do ( accelerates faster, etc )... I really have no way to substantiate this in any way but it does seem logical that driving habits can affect consumption too.

Edit :

• Per suggestion below, and after looking into it, I will try a can or two of BG 44K cleaner instead of Techron. Can't hurt at this point..right?

 

I just clicked 2000 miles since I performed the EPR cleaning.

In those 2 k miles and checking the dipstick, it has only dropped a small amount (less than 1/8 of an inch on the dipstick). This should equate to about 3 or 4 ounces. So this has worked for me.

I also have done the BG 44K and seen mpg improvement, but may have helped the fuel end of the equation in the process. Doing this before the EPR may have also helped with deposit loosening.

My next plan is to use BG MOA extended life in the next oil change. Should help maintain the current state.

@farmecologist , sorry to hear your EPR treatment wasn't as successful. I do notice that my wife is not as cognizant of driving our Prius when operating it . I do my best to limit this and that may also explain the improvement as well. Have you tried 44K or any other fuel injector cleaners? I saw the same thread you referenced. While Chevron is good, the 44K is the best you can get for loosening carbon deposits.

I was reading a gen 2 thread this morning where they showed pics of the piston and rings for an oil burner. Showed the level of deposits and it was significant. Maybe try 44K before your next oil change then try another EPR.

Keep us posted. Good luck.

 

More aggressive driving would mean more time the engine's running, so for sure.

 

Yep..that was the implied implication...although I didn't spell that out.

 

That's me, always hammering away at the obvious.

 

No kidding. My co-workers RAV4 , toyota rebuilt the engine for free. 10 year old engine.

 

to be fair, those have a different engine (2AZ-FE is a 2.4 L).

 

Is OCI really too long when the engine is off half the time?

 

How can a 4 qt engine be down 3 1/2 qts and still produce oil pressure and not fail? Who lets their engine get that low on oil before noticing? Consider yourself lucky.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I use Lucas and I do not use any oil between oil changes. I have 150k on the clock. Changing every 10k with 3 qts mobil 1 annual full synthetic 5w30 and a quart of Lucas Pure Synthetic and a mobil one annual oil filter. Getting over 50 mpg overall with out the low rolling resistance tires as well. I drive it like I stole it too. Italian tune ups daily keeps the carbon away.
-Cheers

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

LMAO

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

A lot of people.

Some oil pressure indicator light just don't come on because they chose not to, pressure present or not.

 

mmmm?? What is "EPR"? I kinda thought you meant EGR, but you repeat it 3 more times?