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Preventative Maintenance for Oil Burning 2nd Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Kaptainkid1, Aug 8, 2019.

  1. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    So I'm very concern about the oil burning problem with 2nd Gen Prius's I recently purchased a 2009 Prius with 150k and the first thing I did was all the maintenance for 150k. Started a base line for all the fluids, PVC, Spark Plugs and belts so I could do a long trip and not worry about it breaking down.
    Once I did an oil change and filled up the 4 quarts 5-30 full synthetics. I keep a log of the oil consumption for the first oil change since the last owner didn't know it was problem with Prius. I discovered my Prius was burning at 1/4 Quart to 1/2 Quart for every 1400 miles. That seems very excessive since it only holds 4 quarts total. Once the oil light comes on it's too late and the damage has already been done. At that point I know for a fact oil burning will just be the beginning of the engine problems besides the oil consumption.
    After researching a ton threads and articles about this problem, I started checking my oil every 1000 miles and installed oil catch can. I noticed right away the catch can has oil in it.
    Why the catch can?
    I read oil dripping into the intake will lead to clogging of the expensive catalytic converter.
    I've included before and after photos of the oil in the intake.

    Also I will have photos of catch can and location.
    Check out the catch can filling up with oil after 2000 miles.
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. At an odometer reading of 150K miles, your engine is doing great if it consumes oil at the rate of only 1/4 qt to 1/2 qt after 1,400 miles.
    2. You are very wise to check the oil at 1,000 mile intervals, and if you replenish the oil level as necessary, then what is the problem? It is not a reasonable expectation to drive an old car with 150K miles logged on the odometer, over a 5,000 mile interval without once checking the engine oil level.
    3. It is normal for hydrocarbons to be deposited in the intake manifold below the PCV hoses. Some of it may come from oil traveling through the PCV hoses and some of it may come from unburnt gasoline vapor which rises back up from the intake valves since the Atkinson engine cycle has the intake valve partially open as the compression stroke commences.
    4. You don't have to worry about the catalytic converter fouling based upon the oil consumption rate that you described. If you were consuming 2 quarts per 1,400 miles then you would have good reason to be concerned.
    5. The small amount of oil collected in the oil catch can photo after 2,000 miles of driving is reasonable given #3 above.
     
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  3. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Kudos for zero timing maintenance on a newly purchased "used car". So many do not understand this common sense wisdom. The only other comment I have is check your fluids and tire pressures every fill-up. Best wishes.
     
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  4. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I forgot to mention after installing the oil catch can I was able get better gas mileage. I was averaging 34mpg and now I'm getting 39mpg. So the Prius has two hose attached to the engine PVC one above the throttle body flap and another hose below the throttle body flap. I attached the Catch Can to lower hose which I noticed was the one dripping oil droplets into the intake. If look at the bottom of the intake photo its much cleaner now. I have to assumed the oil burning just doesn't fouls the Catalytic Converter but also helps with cleaner burning fuel system and increased MPG. Only problem in California smog test this catch can device has to be pulled from engine before taking the test otherwise the car will fail for an illegal engine mod. 20190808_192317.jpg 20190808_192406.jpg

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  5. Stimp

    Stimp Member

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    Can you post a link to the catch can installed in these pictures? Seems like very few ppl with gen2 priuses install them. Would like one myself.
     
  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    1) If you are THAT concerned about it, why don't you get rid of the car.
    2) That kind of oil usage is NOT really "excessive" to the point of being a problem in and of itself.
    3) Even if the oil warning light comes on, if you shut the engine down IMMEDIATELY there is a good chance that there will be NO damage.

    If......you do nothing except keep a close eye on the oil level .......and maybe switch to a slightly heavier "high mileage" oil, the oil usage itself should not prevent you from getting a LOT of good miles from the engine. Maybe another 50-100K miles. Just from the gas engine, mind you.

    It is good to be a little concerned.
    I think you are overly concerned.
     
  7. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I read many write up, video's and threads about using oil catch cans on 3rd Gen Prius engines and 2010 Prius usually burns oil and has the most problems of the 3rd gen Prius years. Which I noticed my 2nd Gen Prius had oil droplets in my intake and oil can gum up intake valves and send more burnt carbon out the exhaust. So why not make my Prius run cleaner with a Oil Catch Can.

    Parts:
    Oil Catch Can
    L bracket
    3/8 rubber line 3 feet
    3x rubber line clamps



    The only problem is 2nd Gen Prius has two PVC valves on the engine and they both run to intake.
    One line runs to the back of the Intake throttle body and other runs to front intake throttle body located next to the radiator.
    I only attached the Oil Catch Can line to the front of the Throttle body. It reduces the oil droplets by 70%. It seems more oil droplets come out the lower PVC vent line below the throttle body flap. I'm sure people can run 2 oil catch cans. I decided I only wanted to run 1x.


    [​IMG]



    The vent line #2 is line that returns to front of the throttle body:

    [​IMG]

    I attached the oil catch can on the engine mount located left side of the engine.
    Its held by a 10mm bolt on top of rubber bushing.
    [​IMG]

    I bought a oil catch can on ebay for $18 which had breather screen.
    [​IMG]

    I attached an L bracket to the oil catch can so it can mount to the engine mount.
    [​IMG]

    Then attached it to the engine mount:
    [​IMG]

    Ran the 3/8 rubber hose from the oil catch can to intake on the throttle body valve:
    [​IMG]

    Also pulled ran the PVC rubber line on the back of the Airbox to Oil Catch can.
    Make sure you run from the PVC vent line into the "In" on the Oil Catch Can.
    the " Out" line to the Throttle body.
    [​IMG]


    This should be enough info to run your own oil catch can diy.

    Good luck.

    Here's before and after Photo's of Intake.

    Before:
    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]


    1400 miles after running the oil catch can:

    [​IMG]
     
    #7 Kaptainkid1, Aug 18, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2019
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  8. Stimp

    Stimp Member

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    Nice write up, thank you. Seems like this would at least add a measure of protection for the catalytic converter. I'm at about 1qt oil/5000mi at 205k mi, so nothing abnormal or problematic. Trying to keep it that way.
     
  9. Boosthx

    Boosthx Junior Member

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    My check engine light just came on last night, I have 231,280 miles. So I ran Techstream and pulled P1116, P1121, B1421 and B1271. While doing so, checked the oil to find it just below the last notch. Just logged onto here to look the codes up and find a simple repair and found this...I never would have thought in a million years that oil burning would be a problem with a Prius. My SRT or Evo IX, sure! But not the Prius. Excellent write up. Thank you!
    D
     
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  10. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    So the majority of the Prius oil burning problems comes from the oil piston rings getting sludge up and the oil return channels at the bottom of the piston closing up because of sludge. The oil catch can only helps with maybe 10% of the burning oil problem. I did it because I wanted a cleaner burning Prius and correct fuel mixture for increase MPG on highway driving. Where the catch can filters out the oil vapors during high engine revs of highway driving.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
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  11. Figster10

    Figster10 Member

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    What is the next possible solution for the sludge on the pisotns? seafoam in spark plug housing did not work. please help and thanks
     
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I can't quite work out what you're saying here. The codes you mention have nothing to do with oil-burning, sludge or anything else mentioned in this thread, so I am at a loss to understand why you think an oil catch can is your solution.

    There are many threads on the subject of P1116 and P1121. Use the search function and restrict the search to the Gen 2 threads.

    These two codes involve the Coolant Temperature Sensor for Coolant Heat Storage and the Coolant Flow Control Valve Position Sensor, respectively.

    The B1271 most likely means your Combination Meter has failed. Texashybridbatteries.com offers a repair exchange service for ~$150 to fix this if you can do the swap yourself, or you can have your Prius garage swap it for you.

    You can ignore the B1421 unless you where outside in bright sunlight when you did the code reading.
     
  13. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I never mentioned seafoam in the spark plug housing.
    Do you mean you put seafoam in the spark plug piston chamber?
    That is called Piston oil ring soak and people usually use marvel mystery oil.
    I used seafoam in my engine oil at the end of my oil life that is usually 100-200 miles before my oil change. It's usually an ounce for every quart of oil your engine holds. 4 ounce of seafoam total for a full topped off of engine oil. Make sure your oil is top off at the top dimple on the oil dip stick. That marker means it's full of oil. I do seafoam treatment for all my oil changes on the Prius.

    This preventative maintenance procedure might not work if your Prius is burning a ton of oil. 1 quart for every 1000 miles is bad. If that is the case I would add oil every 1000 miles until the car blows up. To fix an oil burning problem you have to take a part the engine and replace all the piston rings and oil rings.
    Honestly I can't give any good suggestions until tell me about the problem and car specs..
    Year of Prius?
    How much oil is the car burning?
    How many miles does the car have?
    Did you ever drive your car until the check engine light came on noticed you didn't have oil? You then put 3.5 quart oil in the car to get it going?
    What kind of oil do you put in your car?
    5-30wt conventional or full synthetic?


    Read this thread too:
    2nd Gen Prius Oil Consumption and Preventative maintenance Suggestion.... | PriusChat


    SM-J737T1 ?
     
    #13 Kaptainkid1, Jan 29, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2020
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  14. Figster10

    Figster10 Member

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    Car: 2007 Toyota Prius 200k
    Oil used: 10w30
    Note: I used seafoam in small amounts in the gas and tried to soak it in the spark plug housing which I mentioned that I tried before I came across this post.
    Problem: I put an after market cat on the car and within 2000 miles it went out again. I think I am dealing with bad cat and which I recently seen was oil leaking all side and back of engine which is coming from the valve cover gasket. I replaced it but still it's leaking so I think my oil consumption might have to problems linked to it. I will be trying to get better sealer for the gasket on the valve cover to get an exact amount that I'm losing due to the burning.

    I was losing 1 qt every 1k miles but I think most of that is being leaked from the valve cover gasket.

    The pcv valve was checked out and looked good fyi. It rattled a bit so I didn't bother to replace it.

    Codes: I only get a cat converter code but could be related to that garbage cat I bought on ebay
     
  15. Classic Car Guy

    Classic Car Guy Active Member

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    Hey Patrick. How's it going and been a while. I still have my 07 for 2 years now and thanks to you its been driving great after we did all that 100k mile parts change and maintenance. Now I have 148k and still performing excellent. The oil catch can is the only thing I haven't done to my car.
    So far I change oil and filter every 4750 miles with 5w-30 and I probably lose a little over 1/4 of 1 quart the whole oil change cycle. My gas mileage is just fine for a 37 miles one way to work with 40% highway driving on average 45mpg.
    My question is, do you think I should install one of this catch can? If so, what would you recommend?
    Thanks..
     
  16. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I personally do not see the point of the oil catch can.
     
  17. Classic Car Guy

    Classic Car Guy Active Member

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    Great. I thought id ask you. because I know you know a lot about prius. Since when I bought it used and replaced all those 100k major maintenance and parts replacement, I was able to put in 48k on my car for 2 years no problem at all. It runs just like it was and I hardly even burn any oil. This is and excellent long distance mile driving car.
    Thanks...
     
  18. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Here's an example from our Prime that I did an oil change on at 30k miles last weekend (oil catch can installed at 21 k miles):

    34C46C68-0C02-4279-8785-0CE498FE7388.jpeg 43A18F95-21F4-4F3C-BC9A-12CB374BD80D.jpeg

    The point of the catch can is to remove the PCV valve blow by and not send it back through the process;).

    I figured I'd see if the redesign eliminated this, but as you can see, nope:cool:.

    Now the gen2 PCV valve is high up, so does that minimize the blow by potential:whistle:.

    Only one way to find out(y).
     
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  19. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    So is that the oil caught over the entire change interval (presuming 5,000 mi) or have you emptied it over the interval?
     
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  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Not emptied over the 9k miles it was installed ;).

    OCI on the prime is 10k miles :).

    So spooge is going back through if not caught(y).
     
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