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Oil consumption...what I did to correct it.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Aztechmaster, Sep 30, 2018.

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  1. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    I recently bought a 2006 Prius with over 200K miles that used oil, about a quart per tank of fuel. The service history was actually pretty good, the car runs well and is in good overall shape. The oil consumption was excessive. So what to do?

    I purchased a can of lacquer paint thinner, a small can of carburetor cleaner, a new PCV valve and spark plugs. I removed the spark plugs and poured about four ounces of the thinner in each cylinder. The next day I poured about two ounces in each cylinder of the carb cleaner. I let the engine sit for another day.

    Using a fluid mighty vac i sucked the fluid from the cylinders, blew them out with compressed air and installed the new plugs and PCV. I then maxed the HVAC temp and started the engine and allowed it to run for five minutes. Lots of smoke of course came out of the exhaust!

    I then drained the engine oil and removed and drained the oil filter. After the dripping stopped I reinstalled the filter, drain plug, then filled the engine with ATF. Again started the engine and let run, this time for about ten minutes.

    Drained oil out again. Installed new oil filter and 5W 30 oil. Now on the second tank of fuel since this process.

    Oil level is now steady, and remarkably clean! One more tank and I plan on changing the oil with full synthetic.
    Just thought I'd share.
     
    #1 Aztechmaster, Sep 30, 2018
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  2. DLC82SV

    DLC82SV Member

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    How did you come up with the idea to put tranny fluid in your engine? Are you doing this as a suggestion or is this something you decided to do on your own, and if so why? Besides to try to correct oil consumption. What made you think this was even safe and why not use brake or power steering fluid and why? I just want to know how you come up with this idea and what thought process went into it. Were you prepared to replace the engine if this caused it to fail? Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to hear how you came up with this idea.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 DLC82SV, Sep 30, 2018
  3. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    I am a multi recertified ASE master mechanic. L1 as well. When I worked for GM at dealerships we used to use the ATF flush to stop lifter tick after replacing manifold gaskets on 3.1 and 3.4 V6 engines. Not suggesting ANYTHING just sharing what worked for me backed by my decades of experience.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 Aztechmaster, Sep 30, 2018
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  4. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Some of the more knowledgeable oil recycling places here take transmission fluid, to put in the same bin as motor oil. It is similar enough to recycle as used oil. Beyond that, inquiring minds want to know!!!

    Posted this about same time you did Aztechmaster....
     
    #4 jzchen, Sep 30, 2018
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah, the old paint thinner trick
     
    #5 bisco, Sep 30, 2018
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  6. DLC82SV

    DLC82SV Member

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    So the paint thinner eats away at the carbon and the tranny fluid dissolves the sludge maybe? I wonder how this affects the gaskets and seals? Does it recondition them or break them down like it's doing the sludge causing the sticky lifters? Does this expose any leaks you might have as well?
     
    #6 DLC82SV, Sep 30, 2018
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  7. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    Well that and carburetor soak fluid. Could have used GM top engine cleaner but was out.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 Aztechmaster, Sep 30, 2018
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  8. kens97uber171

    kens97uber171 Active Member

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    Using Trans fluid to clean up the engine is an old trick. And it works well.
    It has similar properties to 10w weight oils.. so won't hurt anything...
    But it has LOTS of detergents in it.. will break up sludge, and open up oil galleys.
    I would not drive the car hard on straight ATF but you can idle it with no issues.
    Have used this trick on several cars..
    Often I'll do 3qrts ATF, 1 qrt of a think oil. Let it idle for 1 hr or so. Drain and refill with regular oil.. and new filter.
    Also you can do it other way around and use 1qrt out of 4 as ATF and drive the car.




    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #8 kens97uber171, Sep 30, 2018
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  9. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    Exactly.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 Aztechmaster, Sep 30, 2018
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  10. DLC82SV

    DLC82SV Member

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    I'm intrigued! Thanks for the response.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #10 DLC82SV, Sep 30, 2018
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Do you think this ATF flush would work on an engine burning 1qt every 1500 miles?
     
    #11 JC91006, Sep 30, 2018
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  12. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    Considering how low the $$$ would be...try it? But really no, you need to clean the ring lands for the oil rings.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #12 Aztechmaster, Sep 30, 2018
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  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    On your soak solution you put in lacquer thinner and carb cleaner together on the 2nd day?
     
    #13 JC91006, Sep 30, 2018
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Sub acetone for lacquer thinner? Reading on Wiki, modern lacquer thinner is "mostly acetone with small quantities of aromatic solvent".

    After the piston soaks and sucking the fluid back out, I'd be inclined to go straight to the oil drain, skip that first running of the engine, since a lot of the solvent may have trickled down into the oil, leaving it overfull and diluted with solvent.

    Also, which ATF: Toyota ATF-WS, or what have you?
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Sep 30, 2018
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  15. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    Just bulk mercon 3. The thinner had acetone and naphtha.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #15 Aztechmaster, Sep 30, 2018
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  16. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    Update...after 410 miles, one tank, the oil still looks exceptionally clean and the level has not dropped at all. Going to run this oil for a few more tanks.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #16 Aztechmaster, Oct 7, 2018
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    amazing, this could be the medicine for what ails the gen 3 prius
     
    #17 bisco, Oct 7, 2018
  18. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    I must caution you this procedure has some risk. Again I have been professionally wrenching for 3 decades. I have not tried this on a gen 3.

    That being said I HAVE done this to many other vehicles..with significant results MOST of the time.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #18 Aztechmaster, Oct 7, 2018
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't need it, but thanks for the warning.(y)
     
    #19 bisco, Oct 7, 2018
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  20. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    Thanks for sharing! I have never heard of this. I may try this. Can you elaborate on the risks, please?
     
    #20 VFerdman, Oct 7, 2018
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