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2008 Oil Consumption?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by prius_power, Oct 10, 2016.

  1. prius_power

    prius_power Junior Member

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    I have a 2008 with 117K miles. I have been checking the oil level on the dip stick, but it appears inconclusive as the level varies depending on which side you look at. The side with the lower level has gotten lower since I last checked, so I'm thinking it is burning a little. See pictures for better understanding. IMG_20160928_171130.jpg IMG_20160928_171138.jpg
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There is something amiss here. I'll see at most 1/8" diff, when flipping it over. There's no way there would be an actual 1/2" plus difference between one side and the other.
     
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  3. prius_power

    prius_power Junior Member

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    Right. I'm also thinking it might just be rubbing the side as I pull it up, thus, "smearing" it and making it look fuller. But ultimately, I'm not entirely sure of anything.
     
  4. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    Correct. For the best possible reading, check your oil when cold before the car is driven. That way the fluids are completely settled.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    With 3rd gen, this helps to get a clear reading: pull the dipstick and wipe it, wait 5 minutes minimum (oil pulled up the tube drains down), then reinsert, pull out and read level.
     
  6. prius_power

    prius_power Junior Member

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    I'll give this a shot once I'm back home. (road my bike to school today)
     
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  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Always go by the lowest reading on the dipstick.
     
  8. prius_power

    prius_power Junior Member

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    I have a quart of oil in my trunk, just in case, but I haven't topped it off any, just out of fear of overfilling.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There's no immediate danger of low oil as it looks you are half way down on the dipstick marks. That's a little over half quart
     
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  10. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    FYI - The single most common cause of "oil consumption" complaints on modern gasoline engines is a failed PCV valve.

    The job of the PCV valve is to control the crankcase pressure, trap those gasses and route them into the intake for combustion. When the valve sticks CLOSED, crankcase pressure can increase to the point that an external oil leak is developed, over time this will cause oil level to fall and a mess under your car. When the PCV valve fails open or has a weakened spring, this will cause excessive crankcase gasses and oil mist/vapor to be pulled from the engine, also reducing oil level over time.

    For most vehicles, spark plugs and the PCV valve should both be replaced between 90k and 120k.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Thanks for the info; I've been trying to get my head around the pcv system.

    I wish they made the damn things easier to get to: the Prius is tough; on my son's civic step one is "remove intake manifold".
     
  12. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    +1 on always checking it first thing in the morning. Gives an accurate reading, and helps eliminate variables like oil temperature, drain-back, etc.
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I don't recall anyone replacing the pcv valve on a prius and it actually made a difference in oil consumption. This may be the cause for other engines, not in a prius
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've heard this a lot, but in practice see no difference.

    The main thing is to check it regularly. I have lots of opportunity for that: when we're headed somewhere, I'll go out to garage, DW says she'll be "right out"... I could do an oil change while waiting, lol.
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Oct 12, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2016
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  15. prius_power

    prius_power Junior Member

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    Follow up. It's definitely an oil burner. My original picture was an old one. Took a new picture, and this is it after 6500 miles. IMG_20161012_171831.jpg
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A quart in 6500 miles (about what it looks like, is 2nd gen also something like 1.5 qts between the marks?) is not bad though.

    C'mon, what are you standing around for? Get some more oil in there; top it up, lol. (channeling Phil Silvers)
     
  17. prius_power

    prius_power Junior Member

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    Haha! I know I know. I just get so envious of people whose cars don't burn any at all. I threw some oil in it, now it's in the middle. I'll get the oil changed next week.
     
  18. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    If you don't need to add oil between OEM change intervals, there is NO PROBLEM. For most OEMs, about 1 qt/1000 miles is the investigation threshold, but they do vary significantly.
     
  19. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    My approach stems from my motorcycle habits. Check while in the garage before you ride. Then you alway get a consistent reading.
    I've found that when the oil is cool, it reads more easily, and more consistently on the dipstick. Also, assuming you park in the same place each night, by checking it first thing in the morning, you eliminate the variable of the surface pitch on which the car sits.
     
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  20. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Paraphrasing form the Official Toyota Prius OM applicable to a 2005 Prius, to avoid copyright concerns:
    S 8.2 Pg 286
    "With the vehicle parked on level ground and at operating temperature, check the engine oil with the HSD system powered off. Remove the dipstick, wipe it off and reinsert fully, oil level can now be checked by removing the dipstick. Acceptable oil level is between the two dots on the dipstick and approximately 1.5 qts will be required to bring it to "full" from "low"."

    The process outlined by Toyota, is similar to that of many other OEMs.