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Oil consumption on all Gen 3's?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by markdjr, Dec 5, 2020.

  1. markdjr

    markdjr Junior Member

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    I have a 2010 Prius that has been going through oil fast for awhile now and recently has developed a host of other issues. Is the oil consumption issue exclusive to 2010's or is it all Gen 3's? I am trying to figure out best course of action as far as repair/replace. Thanks for any info.
     
  2. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Oil consumption is seen in older Prius, so yes 2010 and 2011 are showing up more than the other years. But they do pop up in later years. It’s all depends on the service history and how one drives their Prius. 5k mile oil changes and driving them easy will certainly have less wear and tare on the motor. Also cleaning the EGR early around 90k miles help with oil burning as well as a Catch Can install. I personally think the biggest Negative factor is the use of 0W-20 oil. I have been using 0W-40 for 60k miles and have no oil consumption.
     
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    A repair/replace decision depends on more facts and symptoms. Miles? How many quarts over how many miles? What else is wrong? Rattling at start up occasionally? Losing coolant? Codes?
     
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  4. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    I have a 2010 with no oil consumption. It has 94k miles.

    I have an oil catch can that reduces blow-by, cleaned the EGR system at 70k, and add Techron once a year before an oil change.
     
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  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    How many miles on your Prius? How do you drive it? Highway/City driving?
    Fast or fuel savingly?
    The harder you drive it, the more it will use.
    Using heavier oil will make the engine work harder.
    50 years ago it helped. But tolerances are tighter in today's engines.
    So if it's too heavy, it doesn't flow properly.
    I know some people swear by it, but just because it might work for a few people,
    doesn't really mean it works.

    Whether you change the oil at 5000 or 10,000 miles it will consume the same amount.
    You won't have to add any, or less, but will spend twice as much money on filters and oil if you
    change it at 5000 miles. Won't hurt do to that though.
     
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  6. markdjr

    markdjr Junior Member

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    150k miles driven hard, losing a quart every ~500 miles, rattling at start and idle, losing coolant, P0300, P0301, P0302. The oil has been an issue for awhile, the rest of the issues started about a week ago. It seems like at this point the repair would be an engine swap, but I'm probably more inclined to spend a little more money and just get a new Prius, but hesitant if it could end up with the same issues.
     
  7. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Sounds like a head gasket issue. Time to rebuild or replace.
     
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  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    You should have included that in your first post. A lot more info!
    Have you cleaned the EGR system?
    But by now, the head gasket is probably going out.
    Are you losing coolant?
     
  9. markdjr

    markdjr Junior Member

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    My 1st post was really just trying to figure out if a newer Prius made sense for me, I was already pretty sure this engine is toast. I just wasn't sure if a 2012-2015 would fair any better. Are there similar issues with Gen4? Thanks again for the help.
     
  10. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    If you research the types of oil grades for the GEN3 it is acceptable to use 30, 40, and even 50 weight oils.

    When the Prius first came out oil changes were at 5K miles, even the reminder is set at 5K miles. Then later on Toyota bumped it up to 10k miles. I highly suggest you stick with the 5K miles intervals.
     
  11. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    No reported issues with the GEN4. But it maybe too soon to know.
     
  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Toyota says 10,000 miles. Each time I've changed mine, they oil is still clear, almost like I just changed it.
    In other countries they recommend thicker oil, for various reasons.
    As I said, changing at 5000 miles won't hurt. Neither will 10,000 miles.

    But since Markdjr has said he knew the engine was already toast, it doesn't matter.
    If you maintain the engine, there is a very good chance it will last a long time.

    Gen 4 engine blocks have newer pistons and rings. But did they put in better valve guide seals????
     
  13. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    You are giving out bad advise. I have seen the difference in Prius motors who have oil changes at 5k miles and at 10k miles. The ones with extended oil changes are much more likely to be using oil, as well as vehicles with dirty EGRs.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Have you figured out roughly how fast the oil is being consumed?

    Host of other issues?
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @ASRDogman if you drain your oil at 10k miles and collect a cup in a glass, it's clear?

    (I'd quote you, tried for 10 min on my effing iPhone, but no joy. It's just a royal pain on a phone.)
     
  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    12,000 miles on my current oil, no oil burning yet w/car a bit over 160,000 miles, averaging 67 MPG for the last 6 months. So no, all gen 3s don't burn any oil ever.
     
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  17. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    What year??
     
  18. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    kjbh.jpg
     
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  19. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    So you maybe in better shape than a 2010/11.
     
  20. Mdv55

    Mdv55 Active Member

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    2011 with 113k. I've been running 15k oil change intervals since I bought it at 42k. It doesn't use oil. It's not babied either.