YNAOCT (Yet another oil consumption thread) - 2010 V

I have a 2010 Prius V with about 89,000 miles on it. Have the Toyota 7 year/100K warranty on it.

I've searched and seen quite a few threads about the oil consumption. My oil has been changed by the dealer approximately every 10,000 miles, using 0W-20 oil (whatever the Toyota dealers use.)

On Feb 6, about 83,635 miles, I had to add almost three quarts of oil after the warning light came on when on the freeway (while turning on an on-ramp). The engine literally only had about a quart left of oil left in it. I had the dealer check out the engine and they replaced the PCV valve and cleaned up some oil that was on the bottom part of the engine plastic (the stuff you have to remove to change the oil filter.)

Fast forward to this month, 4 months later. About 88,142 miles. About 4507 miles from the last oil change. I'm down three quarts again. So, that's averaging a quart used every 1500 miles.

I'm bringing it in to Toyota on on Wednesday to have them look at it. In the meantime, I've added a couple quarts to it.

Prior to the issue earlier this year at 83,635, I never had this issue. I've seen people using a quart every 2k-3k in the threads, but not this soon.

I'll also have them check for leaks, etc, in the engine as well..

Besides the additive discussions, the PCV valve replacement, checking for leaks, etc, anything else I need to bug the dealer about when I bring it in?

Thanks!

 

I forgot to put this in:

On 5/22/15 (not that long ago..), I had the dealer check the oil level before I moved from FL to GA. They did an inspection and stated it was fine.

So, if "fine" means between the two dots, and a month later, I have three quarts low (I generally check once a month), there's an issue, IMHO.

 

When I pay the dealer to check over my car, and do a "30 point inspection" or whatever, and they say the oil level is normal, then I take them at their word. I do know from the maintenance records that the oil was changed 2/6 @ 83,635. It looked normal at the beginning of March, April, and May when I checked it. At the end of 5/22 @ 88,142, I had a wheel bearing replaced and also paid the dealership to ensure the oil issue wasn't persisting, and /paid/ them to go over my vehicle, and they stated the oil level was ok.

When moving a family of six people, I rather pay the dealer to inspect the car before driving 800 miles to my new home. That took the place of my normal 6/1 self inspection. I had way too much other stuff besides a self 30 point inspection to do when buying a new house, etc.

Fast forward to today, 6/21 @ 89,207. That's 1,065 miles after the oil was last checked and stated it was at a normal level. It was now at least 2.5 quarts low (conservatively). 2 quarts brought it to the bottom dot.

Now, if you want to be all snarky and stuff, I'll find somewhere else to go. I've tried to be a specific as I could in this thread.

They did find some in the plastic bottom cover last time in Feb. That's when they replaced the PCV valve, some gasket, and the oil pan gasket (?). I will have them check the bottom cover as well Wednesday.

If I can, I'll scan what they did last Feb when they fixed this the first time.

 

Yes, on May 22 @ 88142, Lakeland Toyota stated the level was fine. They stated I didn't need to add any oil, and it was at an adequate level. They did fill up my windshield wiper fluid and checked my tire pressure, oil, brake fluid, and everything else for just an 'inspection' sans the actual oil change. I just wanted to make sure there weren't any issues before that long drive from FL to GA. I did not check the level myself because I've usually trusted Toyota dealerships... but, yes, I only used Lakeland Toyota three times: To fix my "check Hybrid system" in late Dec (inverter issue), the oil leak initial check and change in Feb, and the bearing and inspection at the end of May. So, I did not have that much experience with them.

I misspoke at the beginning; like in the last post, the mileage as of today is 89,207. So, 1,065 miles since they supposedly checked the 'ok' oil level. The new dealer is Toyota AutoNation @ The Mall of Georgia in Buford, GA. I'm going to make them go over this with a fine tooth comb on Wednesday, and I don't mind paying them for a few hours of labor myself to just make sure they are thorough.

 

Brought it in today... warranty covered $1200 to reseal the front timing cover seal. So, I'll be checking it on a weekly basis from now on to see and make sure that the oil stays where it's supposed to be. If not, the dealership said to bring it on back....

Edit: Forgot to mention, they said it was a pretty good sided leak (seeping out pretty good). Had no idea where the oil was going, though.

 

Yep, Toyota Care 7 year/100K mile warranty! Got a link to it here 5 years ago for something like $990. It's paid for itself a few times over already (inverter, wheel bearing, oil leak).

Edit: Here is what was replaced/on the invoice:
TIME - Gear CVR Asy (T-Chn CVR) - $1226.36
1 11213-37040 - Gasket, Cylinder Head $16.86
1 90311-A0018 - Seal, Type T Oil $11.69
1 13552-0T020 - Gasket, Chain Tension $3.76
1 00295-00103 - Fipg Oil Pan $15.63
1 00272-SLLC2 Super Long Life Cool $20.94

Parts: $68.88, Labor $1226.36, total: $1295.24

They filled the oil for free too and did another inspection on it.

 

Well, some updates since last time.

TL;DR on background: Well maintained 2010 Prius. Started losing oil more frequently ~ 80,000 (early 2014). Lots of stuff replaced and looked at (PCV valve, spark plugs, timing cover, timing gasket, oil consumption tests, looking for leaks/none, you name it.) 99,500 miles, and now up to 500 miles a quart.

Details:
PCV valve and intake all cleaned out due to oil crud blowback causing intermittent issues with the smooth running of the engine.. this was done in December. They figured that was causing my oil consumption loss. Did three oil consumption tests in a row, last one at ~98,400 miles. Today, around ~99,500 miles (1100 miles later), oil is barely visible on the tip of the dipstick (at least 2+ quarts low).

Brought in since 500 miles left on ToyotaCare extended warranty. Advisor called ToyotaCare and informed them of the situation. ToyotaCare said they could tear into the engine to see what's going on finally. (I guess they couldn't kick the can further down the road.)
Advisor calls back. Tech found scorching in cylinder one, likely due to issues with a piston ring, warped cylinder, etc. Said that's why oil is entering and being burned off.

So, they're recommending a short block replacement. Adjuster has to do his or her thing and take pictures, etc, to get ToyotaCare to pay the dealership, and then they said it'll be 2-3 weeks and I'll have my Prius back. Refurbished engine will have a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty, so I don't have to worry about only having 500 miles left.

This is starting to look more and more like the oil consumption issue that other Toyota models are having, and they haven't wanted to admit the Prius can have the same issue.

 

I did have them check the exhaust system when they cleaned it out, and they said it was ok. When they call back Thursday, I'll ask the advisor if the tech can verify the EGR is cleaned up too. Thanks!

Edit: Its a senior (30+ year) tech working on it this time, so he'll double make sure