Engine Wear

orr4hoos · 05-08-2005, 10:12 PM

I've recently ordered a Prius, and a friend asked me a question the other day I didn't have an answer for, so I'm hoping someone can help me. He said he had always heard (as had I) that one reason you didn't want to stop and start a conventional gas engine car was the wear caused because the oil is all sitting in the oil pan when the car starts up. He asked me if this would occur in a Prius as the gas engine stops and starts depending on driving conditions. Any thoughts?

Wolfman · 05-08-2005, 10:33 PM

This is true on a COLD startup, where the engine has had enough sitting time for all of the oil to drain down into the pan. For what the Prius does, there is plenty of oil throughout the system to keep all of the internals lubed. The tolerances of moving parts is tight enough to not let oil pressure bleed off instantly.

Bill Merchant · 05-08-2005, 10:47 PM

Another thing to consider, the electric motors spin the ICE up to about 1000 RPM before gas and spark are supplied -- lots of time to get oil all over the inside of the ICE. And the hot coolant reservoir gets pumped back in to get the tempreature up to where an ICE likes to opperate too. HSD is NOT like an electric motor bolted on a conventional ICE.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-09-2005, 01:25 AM

Bill's right. The fact that the engine is spun to 700-1000rpm (or in other words, idle speed) before ignited reduces wear.

jayman · 05-09-2005, 12:23 PM

I would think that small fleet of Prius operated as taxi's in Vancouver, BC, would put this myth to bed. Over 300,000km and no ICE failure.

paprius4030 · 05-09-2005, 12:47 PM

I'm surprised Toyota doesn't use that guy in Vancouver for their ads. I bet you could make a really neat Prius ad with his yellow taxis

Devil's Advocate · 05-10-2005, 02:18 PM

I was under the impression that the Prius used an oil priming pump prior to spinning up the ICE? Yes/No who Knows? DanMa32???

popsrcr · 05-10-2005, 02:36 PM

I now wonder as well. A preluber would almost be necessary. The other comments don't make much sense to me. The fact that the car isn't running on spark has nothing to do with wear, the fact that it is spinning does.

jtmhog · 05-10-2005, 03:31 PM

There is no load on the engine when it is spinning. The spinning results in full oil pressure before ignition. Additional, the engine starts on two cylinders. Also, use of synthetic oil reduces wear.

popsrcr · 05-10-2005, 03:51 PM

I agree but just because there is no load doesn't mean there is no wear. This is why in an old school motor you don't just pop the coil and turn the motor over. You take out the distributor and spin up pressure via the pump with a drill. Don't know how you would do it with electronic ignition.

This, however, is probably picking nits. I'm positive whatever it is Toyo does is fine.

05-08-2005, 10:12 PM	#1
orr4hoos Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Engine Wear I've recently ordered a Prius, and a friend asked me a question the other day I didn't have an answer for, so I'm hoping someone can help me. He said he had always heard (as had I) that one reason you didn't want to stop and start a conventional gas engine car was the wear caused because the oil is all sitting in the oil pan when the car starts up. He asked me if this would occur in a Prius as the gas engine stops and starts depending on driving conditions. Any thoughts?

05-09-2005, 12:23 PM	#5
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 12,204 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 89 Thanked 276 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Engine Wear I would think that small fleet of Prius operated as taxi's in Vancouver, BC, would put this myth to bed. Over 300,000km and no ICE failure.

05-10-2005, 02:18 PM	#7
Devil's Advocate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 917 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Engine Wear I was under the impression that the Prius used an oil priming pump prior to spinning up the ICE? Yes/No who Knows? DanMa32???

05-10-2005, 03:31 PM	#9
jtmhog Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 151 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Engine Wear There is no load on the engine when it is spinning. The spinning results in full oil pressure before ignition. Additional, the engine starts on two cylinders. Also, use of synthetic oil reduces wear.

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05-08-2005, 10:33 PM	#2
Wolfman Moderator (on leave) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paradise, TX Posts: 1,205 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	This is true on a COLD startup, where the engine has had enough sitting time for all of the oil to drain down into the pan. For what the Prius does, there is plenty of oil throughout the system to keep all of the internals lubed. The tolerances of moving parts is tight enough to not let oil pressure bleed off instantly.

05-08-2005, 10:47 PM	#3
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,096 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 19 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Friends: 62	Another thing to consider, the electric motors spin the ICE up to about 1000 RPM before gas and spark are supplied -- lots of time to get oil all over the inside of the ICE. And the hot coolant reservoir gets pumped back in to get the tempreature up to where an ICE likes to opperate too. HSD is NOT like an electric motor bolted on a conventional ICE.

05-09-2005, 01:25 AM	#4
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,192 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 370 Thanked 528 Times in 355 Posts Friends: 26	Bill's right. The fact that the engine is spun to 700-1000rpm (or in other words, idle speed) before ignited reduces wear.

05-09-2005, 12:47 PM	#6
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,431 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 18 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts Friends: 2	I'm surprised Toyota doesn't use that guy in Vancouver for their ads. I bet you could make a really neat Prius ad with his yellow taxis

05-10-2005, 02:36 PM	#8
popsrcr Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 232 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I now wonder as well. A preluber would almost be necessary. The other comments don't make much sense to me. The fact that the car isn't running on spark has nothing to do with wear, the fact that it is spinning does.

05-10-2005, 03:51 PM	#10
popsrcr Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 232 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I agree but just because there is no load doesn't mean there is no wear. This is why in an old school motor you don't just pop the coil and turn the motor over. You take out the distributor and spin up pressure via the pump with a drill. Don't know how you would do it with electronic ignition. This, however, is probably picking nits. I'm positive whatever it is Toyo does is fine.