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oil consumption vs length of oil change interval

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Former Member 68813, Jun 4, 2015.

?
  1. no consumption, OCI near 5,000 miles or less

  2. no consumption, OCI near 10,000 miles or more

  3. consumption, OCI near 5,000 miles or less

  4. consumption, OCI near 10,000 miles or more

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  1. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Jacek, where do you think the oil is being lost? At a gasket or in through the rings? It has to go somewhere.
    Blackened spark plugs: Valve cover gasket
    Thick, oily EGR pipe deposits: Bad rings
    Dark stains beneath engine: Seepage or leaking oil pan gasket (I assume Prius has one)
    Or it could be the cylinder head gasket, or the timing chain gasket.
     
  2. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    In Toyotas, oil is mostly lost through rings and burnt. Some of that can be lost via PCV and intake. External oil leaks is a separate issue.
     
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  3. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Do you intend to tear down and replace the rings? Or maybe just do a compression test?
     
  4. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Oil burning is a problem with oil rings. compression issues has to do with compression rings. Apples to oranges. My consumption is still mild and I'm trying a few different things. Mid OCI, I topped with 0.5 qt of 5w40 and there was 0 consumption in 1200+miles of fast hwy driving since.
     
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  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I've read from many users that thickening the oil often stops oil loss. 5w40 is still well within the specs of the Prius engine; it just increases fuel consumption slightly.

    I bought five 5-liter containers of 0w20 and I still have about three changes left with that, then I'll switch to a thicker formulation.
     
    #85 Rebound, Apr 23, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2017
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I think you meant 0w-20? That's what I remember you using when we changed oil last month anyway
     
  7. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I did the same in the previous OCI and it didn't work. I switched my son's Saturn to 15w40 and no dent in oil consumption.
     
  8. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Oops. I fixed my post.
     
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  9. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    I voted, didn't matter because I live in a back assward red state. I entered the poll also, 10K OCI and 174k miles presently. I use Mobil1 0W20 and Toyota filters. My oil consumption started just before 150K. I used the EPR package at the end of 150K oil change. At 170K, i used Mobil 1 0W20 and new filter. After 3500 miles, I was almost a quart low, half way down between the oil level marks. Voters with less than 100K in this poll usually don't use oil whether 5K or 10K OCI. I would like to see a poll of only those over 100K and see if there's a difference in when the oil use started between the 5 an 10K changes. I think the reason for oil usage is carboned oil rings and I believe the way people drive contribute to the carbon also. At the 180K oil change, I will use the EPR again and see if there is any changes.
    I've already had one low beam headlight go out, I just hate to keep throwing money at this thing. /s :rolleyes:
     
  10. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    You made me realize a flaw in this poll. There is no control for total miles between 5k and 10k groups. It's possible the increased oil consumption in the 10k group is simply due to them driving more and having more miles on the car. We all know oil consumption starts at 100,000 miles (+/-30,000 I guess).
    I personally will stick to 10,000 OCI because the oil change in Prius is simply not enjoyable. If consumption persists I'll move to thicker oils. The only problem is I stocked up on $1 0w20 oil and Prius is the the only car that takes it.
     
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  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Where'd you get the oil for $1 and how much have you socked away?
     
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  12. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    I will stay with the 10K OCI and 0W20 and see if the EPR and MOA make a difference. I was setting at the beauty parlor waiting on the wife, had the heat on and noticed when the engine was running, it would miss every once in a while. I will put an EGR , EGR cooler and intake cleaning on the to do list.
     
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  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Even in the Toyota suite of products too. The corollas and scions have noted oil consumption. Monitoring is key.
     
  14. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Every gas fill up or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Wait what???
     
  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You PIP owners:rolleyes:.
     
  17. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    i posted about in another thread. this is the only car I need to use ramps to change oil. I don't enjoy the buttoned flap that needs to be opened every time and i frequently brake those plastic clips too.
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah my comment was intended somewhat tongue in cheek; I appreciate it's somewhat labour intensive, to put it politely, lol.

    A couple of things I do (and this is every 6 months: is take the panel completely off, and rinse out all the plastic fasteners with hot soapy water.

    I've done maybe 12 oil changes so far, believe I've replaced two fasteners, that had lost a tooth.
     
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  19. GardenWeasel

    GardenWeasel Member

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    Voted. Looks like I'm with the majority.
     
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  20. MrPete

    MrPete Active Member

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    Excessive consumption began around 110,000-120,000 miles.