Oil consumption on 06 Prii

Some oil use as you are noting is reasonable at your mileage. The fact that you have let it get so low on previous occasions does not help matters.

There have been reports that "Seafoam" has helped some in the same position as yourself possibly freeing gummed oil control rings.


If you have not already done so fitting a new PCV valve may help.

Going to a high milage oil may help but in the end I feel you will just have to keep a close eye on they oil level and top up.

John (Britprius)

 

That works out at about 1qt per 1600 miles, which is definitely higher than normal.

It's hard to know exactly what is "normal" here, and there's always a few people who get to really high mileage without any oil consumption, but in general it seems that by 100,000 miles most people start to notice some small oil consumption. Generally only minor though, like around half a quart per 5000 miles, but probably rising to around 1qt per 5000 miles by the time you're around 200,000 miles.

The point being, by the time you're pushing 200,000 miles it's getting fairly likely that you'll need to top off between changes. Once you've let it run low a few times then it's pretty hard on the engine, and this could have increased the subsequent oil consumption in your case.

 

I have a 2004 Prius consuming a quart of 5W-30 oil every 1500 miles and my commute is strictly all highway driving. The odometer is at 211,000 and have tried high mileage synthetic motor oil as well as oil additives to reduce oil consumption. None worked. Dealer said that's normal. Since I drive almost 700 miles a week, I check the oil once every two weeks.

 

I to drive 700 miles a week. I add a quart every week and a half... *sigh*

 

So about a quart every 1100 miles then.

Hi theshark, can you tell us how many miles on your odo and what brands of oil you've used?

 

169.985 what ever the dealer uses..

 

I was going to ask when you first noticed oil loss. But you inspired me to check our 06 oil level, and for the first time it is down a little bit @124k miles. I would try Mobil-1 5W-30 High Milege formula which is made a little heavier and with additives to try to stop leaks.

 

Anyone ever just do a ring/valve job? Bearings? I know some engines starting around the 70's were pretty much disposable, couldn't re-ring for the most part because the cylinder wall linings on aluminum was just worn off. Are these the same? I know it costs more than a quart of oil but might prevent a blown motor in the end. I do not know, just a thought and was wondering if anyone has done it and what the cost might be. Not sure I'd want to tackle this one like a '65 Chevy in the back yard but rings and bearings have saved a few older motors for me back when!

 

I think it is reasonable to just drive the car and continue to add engine oil until the engine produces visible exhaust emissions - then at that point install a used engine if you want to keep the car running.

I don't believe it is worth the time and effort to rebuild a Prius engine. For example, here is an engine at a BuyItNow price of $500 with 57K miles (if you believe the ad.)


If you are willing to accept an engine with 100K miles the pricing is around $200 to $300.

 

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The used engine MIGHT be a better way. I'm personally afraid of one since there's no telling what's wrong with it until you crank it...if it cranks, and then you discover the one you replaced with it was in better shape. Would feel better to get a remanufactured long block if it could be found, higher bucks but I'd feel safer with it. Then again, if I were to do all that I think I'd just put rings and bearings in it along with a valve job...lol.

 

At 85,000 I saw my first "red triangle - Problem" blip on hard left turns, and my dealer said check the oil. It was 2 quarts low. I don't know why I never got in to the habit of checking the oil on my Prius, like I would of on my old gas/oil guzzler (the old rule of thumb: "It's a Chrysler. Of course it leaks oil!"). Just did the regular maintenance on the Prius, including the oil changes.

I guess I felt like the fancy new hybrid should be "above" such mundane things as engine oil consumption!

 

Im at 70,000 miles and in the cold winter months my Prius will consume about 1.5 quarts per 7500 mile oil change (mobil 1). However, since its been warm, it hasnt consumed any. Strange because Ive been driving it harder than normal.

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head there mschwab. Something about the hi-tech nature of the Prius makes some people reluctant to want to touch anything under the hood. Even something as mundanely low tech as the dipstick.

It does seem like a lot of the high oil usage stories we hear start out with people never checking the dipstick or topping off. Then running low on oil (getting warning light) more than once before the penny finally drops and they figure out that they need to do this these things.

 

Satsuke,

There are a lot of good responses here but I generally point people to this thread regarding "Oil Consumption":

2008 Prius - burning oil at 135,000 miles | PriusChat

The reason being is the testing that Avi's Advanced Automotive has done with various oil burners at their shop. I too have done a significant amount of testing and documentation and have concluded, in my case, my engine is simply worn out, lol.

It appears that some lower mileage oil burning may be helped with SeaFoam or other "cleaners" that might be freeing up some stuck rings or gummed up inards. No one treatment will solve everyone's oil burning and some popel like in my case simply have worn out engines which nothing can help.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

I was finding myself down over a quart by the time I did a change at 5K to 7K miles on 5W30 synthetic. I tried 10W40 dyno oil this last time and oil consumption appears greatly reduced. Only about a quarter or 3/8" below the full mark at 4000 miles. Drove to Jacksonville (from Atlanta) and got 55 to 58 MPG so the mileage isn't noticeably harmed, a concern. This was at speeds that hovered below 60 MPH, in case you were initially impressed. The car has 227K miles on it today.

 

Im at 4700 miles on this oil change interval using Mobil Super Synthetic 5w-30 and when I checked the oil this morning, I am finally about 1/8" down on the dipstick from the full mark. Not bad for this oil change.... in my experience, my Prius usually will have consumed 3/4 quart by the 5000 mile mark. (I do 10,000 mile oil change intervals).

 

Only 1/8" down, that's a pretty good improvement PriusGuy. Mine seems to be pretty consistent in dropping about 1/4" to 3/8" every 2500 miles, requiring about half a pint to bring it back to its original level.

BTW. How are you finding the Mobil Super-Synthetic? I've haven't tried that one yet, it's supposed to be a slightly less expensive alternative to Mobil1 isn't it. Has it reduced your cold start "clatter" any over the previous M1 0W20?

 

If the engine was gummed up so bad the rings were getting fouled than the tiny little VVT oil filter would be completely gummed out. This is the serviceable filter that filter's the drive oil to the cam actuator for variable valve timing. That filter condition may be a good benchmark to see if the oil has not been maintained and you have a gunker on your hands. It would be a good thing to look at and clean on any high mileage Gen 2 car.

It is found behind a hex head right below cylinder #1 under air cleaner.