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Burning 3.9qts every 1000 miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Fatmatt86, Dec 5, 2018.

  1. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I'd probably try a plugs-out acetone/atf soak from above before trying to burn anything through this one.

    Though honestly I'm really impressed by what it's endured so far as it is.
     
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  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    With the miles adding up, try experimenting with an industrial piston soak, like b-12 chemtool, then move up to Kreen.

    How was the seafoam smokescreen show upon start up?
     
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  3. Fatmatt86

    Fatmatt86 Member

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    Seafoam didn't seem to have any effect on the oil consumption issue. There is a guy I plan on taking it to sometime who does strictly Prius repairs and he removed the valves and cleaned them up on his prius and said it's lasting 80% longer then before. Now that I have a truck as a second vehicle, gonna take it to him to fix it. Told me $200. Currently at 272,016 miles, engine still very strong...
     
  4. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Yeah, if the consumption was related to gummed/coked up carbon around the ring landings, then I seriously doubt seafoam would do anything at all (except for a whiteout in the neighborhood upon startup), instead you will need to use a stronger solvent (mentioned above), or MEK, etc.

    If the consumption is from worn out rings or valve guide seals, then soaking it will do nothing for either of those also.

    I would clarify what is being done for 200, and which "valves" this mechanic is talking about. Removing the head to get at the valves or "valve seals" will take time and labor, and possibly a machine shop. The parts alone might start at around 20 for a single felpro head gasket to 40+ for the cheapest "head gasket kit" from rockauto, and goes up quickly if purchased at a toyota dealer. Maybe they could forego the head gasket and use rope in each cylinder to prevent the valves from dropping, which could drop the parts cost to 10-20 for only the valve stem seals. Basically a time intensive job all around, and not one I could see someone doing for 200.

    What do they mean when they say "lasting 80% longer", is that the rate of oil consumption?
     
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  5. Fatmatt86

    Fatmatt86 Member

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    I believe the $200 us for him to do the
    stronger solvent (mentioned above), or MEK, etc. work.
     
  6. Fatmatt86

    Fatmatt86 Member

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    Screenshot_20200215-214219_Chrome.jpg so if I got this stuff,I would I just add this stuff in with the oil, or take the spark plugs off and pour this in, or do I leave the spark plugs in and pour this in? And then what, do it vacuum it out after a period of time?
     
  7. Fatmatt86

    Fatmatt86 Member

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    Actually, I just found this. Sound right?

    Soak featuring Kano Labs Kreen

    Engine using oil? Running a little rough?
    In this article, Michael T. will show you how to use Kano Kreen to do a piston soak, which is said to be able to loosen stuck rings, and on the 1ZZ-FE, clean oil return holes in the pistons.
    Often, Marvel Mystery Oil is used for such a thing, but Kano Kreen is said to work quite a bit faster.

    First things first -- preparing for the piston soak.

    Item Description Quantity Link to product
    Kano Kreen Kano Engine Clean (for INTERNAL engine parts) 1 quart (you won't use all of it for this job) Kreen
    Spark Plugs You'll be removing your spark plugs, might as well put new ones in Usually one per cylinder. For the 1ZZ-FE, it's definitely one per cylinder. Toyota Spark Plug Application Chart
    One 10mm wrench For the coil packs (and the decorative engine cover) 1 NAPA, AutoZone, or similar
    One 21mm (?) wrench For the PCV valve 1 NAPA, AutoZone, or similar
    One 5/8" deep well socket and 6" extension For the spark plugs 1 NAPA, AutoZone, or similar
    Anti-sieze compound SOME spark plugs (like NGK) don't need it! 1 small tube. NAPA or similar
    Gunk Foaming Engine Cleaner Great for getting all the oil and grime away from what you're working on. 1 tall can NAPA, AutoZone, or similar
    New PCV valve You needed one anyway One OEM ONLY! Go to your dealership parts counter
    The Gunk foaming engine cleaner is great, and resulted in a cleaner engine, making it more pleasant to work on.

    Then remove the coil packs and the spark plugs.

    Use a clean funnel and pour in a small amount of Kreen into each spark plug hole. Cover the spark plug holes with wadded paper towels and a sheet of cardboard, then crank the engine briefly. Pour some more Kreen back in, then let it stand overnight.

    The next day (18-24hrs later), crank the engine (again, with towels and cardboard covering the spark plug tubes) to pump out any excess Kreen. Reinstall the *original* spark plugs, coil packs, and their electrical connectors, start the car, and watch the plumes of white fog pour out the tailpipe. Strangely, it smells pretty pleasant!

    If you have a clear shot at a country road without other traffic, head there, and drive it hard. Cruise at 5000rpm and romp on the pedal periodically to get to redline. Keep it in a lower gear than normal and just let it rev high. This will force any broken up deposits to go out the tailpipe rather than settling back in somewhere. Otherwise, just sit in your driveway and keep reving it up. The fog dissipates fairly quickly.

    After a 15-20 mile drive like this, do an oil change and THEN put in the new spark plugs. (The reason we waited to put the new ones in is that the spark plugs might be fouled by the post-Kreen "Italian Tune-Up".)
     
  8. George W

    George W Active Member

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    I didn't know that a Prius would crank its engine without spark.
     
  9. oldtechaa

    oldtechaa Active Member

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    All gasoline engines are possible to crank without spark plugs. It actually makes it a lot easier to crank. Obviously, it's then impossible to start the engine, but the car will still try to start and cycle the pistons up and down using the electric motor in the transmission that it would normally use to start the engine. This is just to pump out the excess Kreen.
     
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  10. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    You use Techstream to crank it over, using the compression test active test.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I wonder if that's mandatory though, or if @oldtechaa 's method works fine, if you don't have Techstream?
     
  12. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    I've cranked it over using the usual start method before when I did a MMO piston soak. I covered the plug holes with rags and weighed them down. It blew them off and sprayed the MMO everywhere. So make sure you cover the holes well!
     
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  13. George W

    George W Active Member

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    What is your impression of the Piston soak? Were the results what you hoped for?
     
  14. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Honestly, I'm not sure I was doing it right, it would only pool in 2 of the chambers, to do it properly I should have been rotating the engine every now and again and refilling.

    I use 5w40 shell rotella now and that seems to have helped without affecting mpg. I am going to add some MMO to the oil though and see if that helps...or if it it just burns off since it will just thin the oil down.
     
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  15. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    A tad on the high side, but shop/bay time does add up. Best to just do it yourself since you've already done it once before.
    Yes, add it to the oil, or use it as a piston soak after you remove the plugs, you can also add it to the fuel tank.
    Just do the same piston soak as before, except replace with kreen this time.
     
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  16. Prius717

    Prius717 Junior Member

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    I came across this thread before joining this forum and found it interesting to see how your car held out. How is your car now?
     
  17. Fatmatt86

    Fatmatt86 Member

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  18. Fatmatt86

    Fatmatt86 Member

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    Still holding up. Currently at 275,799, still burns the oil. NASA did a good job designing this system. LOL
     
  19. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    You still running until the oil light comes on and filling her up?
     
  20. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    @Fatmatt86

    Glad to hear she's still purring right along. As long as nothing is knocking, there's no reason it shouldn't keep on rollin'.

    Have you ever noticed any type of oily film or residue on the rear of the car, especially the bumper area near the tailpipe?

    Is the tail pipe itself black and sooty? Powdery dry soot or wettish?