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Oil Leak at Dip Stick tube?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LindainAZ, Sep 11, 2018.

  1. LindainAZ

    LindainAZ New Member

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    Hi all,

    I have a 2008 Prius I don't know the model or trim. When I looked it up on Toyota Owners, the model is listed as 2008 Prius Grade STD.

    I have 190K miles on it and I normally take it to a local oil change shop for an oil change. 4 weeks ago, I took it in for an oil change. I came home and over the weeks following, I noticed oil on my driveway. I took it back and they put in an oil plug gasket. One week later and the oil stains are still happening.

    I took it back and they replaced the oil plug, the gasket and put another oil filter on it. They found the oil was leaking higher up at the dipstick tube connection to the engine.

    Questions:
    • Has any had this happen?
    • Has anyone had this replaced?
    • Is it a costly repair?
    • Has anyone done it themselves?
    • What is easy?

    Thanks!

    Linda
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I am not aware that this has been reported as a problem. However it should be easy and inexpensive to fix.

    One small bolt holds the oil dipstick tube to the engine, and the bottom of the tube is sealed with an O-ring. The fix would be to remove the tube and replace the O-ring, then reinstall.
     
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    are you able to check the oil level yourself? it may be very over filled we see that alot here.
     
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  4. LindainAZ

    LindainAZ New Member

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    Yes I have been checking the oil and it is not over filled.
     
  5. LindainAZ

    LindainAZ New Member

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    Update. I stopped by the dealer this past Saturday and they have never heard of the issue of the dip stick tube leaking. They want to run diagnostics on it for $100.

    So I will take it Friday morning. I'll post an update. Thanks to everyone that offered some ideas.
     
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    How do you check the oil?

    Oil check should be done first thing in th am before starting the car. Prius motor stores a lot of oil in the top end of the engine for the VVT valve system so if you pull into a gas station
    Shut the car off and check the oil it will show it’s about a half quart low. Which it’s not.

    Takes a long time for all the oil to drip down into the oil pan where oil level is sampled.

    Keep it at the full line always.
     
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    No don’t take your car to the dealer that they will upsell you till the cows come home.

    Stay away from the dealer. If your ypur mechanic says it’s leaking there it’s leaking there. Go
    To

    Olathe toyota parts online

    Look for engine parts

    The o ring is $3 the dipstick tube is $13. Order them. Bring them to your mechanic. Get on with life.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Check the PCV valve too? If it's not functioning, there could be excess crankcase air pressure?
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I park my car on a slight grade tilt with front end of car pointing downhill. On dipstick, it shows 1 quart over full dot. Do you recommend that or with front end pointing up? My concern is to ensure crankcase parts are properly lubed on cold starts thanks.
     
  10. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    We have the same problem. Our driveway is slanted, so that the way we park the front of our Gen 2 is pointed downhill (probably a 10% grade or so). When I check the oil there, the dipstick generally shows that it is 1/4 inch or so above the full mark, but when we park on the street where it is level and leave it for a couple of hours, it shows right on the mark. I do not think you can be sure how much oil is in the crankcase unless the car is perfectly level and parked for a couple of hours. FWIW, we have had slight overfills after having the oil changed at a shop, and I have not insisted they remove any, but so far that has not created any problems. I just feel better knowing the oil level is close to the full line, even if it is slightly above it. I am a bit OCD about letting it get very far below that.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My only quibble with the above: I'd say as soon as you park on the level the oil level will be accurate, no need for a wait, it's not molasses. ;)
     
  12. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    I will admit I have an unhealthy obsession with keeping the oil level close to the full line, to the point where I often spill as much as goes into fill tube. If anything, I have a tendency to add too much, therefore I need to be convinced that it is truly below the full line before pulling out my gallon container. Waiting an hour or 2 before checking it does make some difference, however slight.
     
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  13. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Thanks for the reply. Do you park with car nose pointed down or pointed up? I park nose down because I rather have more oil in the front for cold start.
     
  14. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    Nose down, but not because I had ever thought it provided more lubrication at start up. It is simply more convenient for us to park that way. I would hope that the car's ICE would be properly lubricated regardless of its orientation on a slope, unless it is a very steep one. Is there something about the location of the oil pump on the Prius that makes it advantageous to park facing downwards? I would expect that the pump's intake would be positioned close to the bottom of the oil pan so that it would have a supply of oil at startup unless it was on the most severe slope.
     
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  15. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    that’s probably why it’s leaking with that much oil above the dipstick full line the oil is actually above the connection where the dipstick tube is connected to the engine. The dipstick tube o ring is not used to oil constantly soaking it. Not sure what to tell you with that issue.

    Park the car on a level spot at work and check the oil a few hours later for an accurate measurement.
     
  16. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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  17. LindainAZ

    LindainAZ New Member

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    Sorry for the delay with the update. I kept some cardboard and placed it under the car after I had the oil filter and the oil pan plug was replaced. The technician also cleaned up the bottom of the pan up towards the dip stick tube. The entire week before I was scheduled to go to the dealer for the $100 diagnosis there were no indications of any leaks.

    My thoughts are either, the pan plug was stripped or the oil filter was not put on tight enough and it is possible that the tech spilled oil when adding oil. I ended up canceling the appointment since there doesn't appear to be a leak any longer. Thanks for the great responses!
     
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