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So I finally got my 1st oil change, but...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Toyotally04, Jun 12, 2020.

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  1. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    It depends on your definition of "a lot". Probably not.
    And a slight overfilling is NOT a problem.

    The proper way to put in new oil into ANY engine is:
    Start with half a quart less than you think it needs.
    Run it for 20 seconds or so......and then let it drain down for a minute and check the stick.
    Add as needed.
    But "lube shops" almost never take that extra 3 minutes so it is a good idea to check it yourself soon after a change.
    But no need to panic if it is slightly over the full mark.

    I always check the air in my tires after a rotation too and still occasionally find that some "tire monkey" has pumped them all up to the MAX shown on the sidewall.
     
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  2. JerryScript

    JerryScript Junior Member

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    Before I purchased the car I checked the oil level, and again this morning, been two weeks, no change, just a bit more than halfway between marks. I will be doing my own oil changes, no need for proof of service in a car I plan to drive till it dies. However, I do still feel warm and fuzzy about the fact the previous owner took it in for scheduled maintenance, and there is a record of it. Much more warm and fuzzy than I would feel buying a car from someone who claimed to have done all required service, but no proof to back it up (most diy mechanics do not keep receipts, and I don't trust anyone I'm buying from without proof).

    FYI- if you can see a daily difference in your oil level on any vehicle, you have a potentially severe problem!
     
  3. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    @JerryScript I don't blame you for that. If it weren't for the little flap to record oil changes in the Fram oil filter boxes I probably would not have a record of changes on ours...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Pretty much all I've used on our 2010 is bulk Toyota 0W20, purchased from our local dealership in a large gas can I bring in:

    upload_2020-6-14_10-12-34.png

    Also, for a Honda Pilot I used their bulk Toyota 5W20 conventional. No problems, basically the same oil you can buy in bottle, just better for the environment.

    As far as over-fill at dealerships, I would not make assumptions, tar them all with the same brush. You could mention your concern about overfill. Check the level after, on level ground, if it's good you're good.
     
    #24 Mendel Leisk, Jun 14, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2020
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  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    He's just having another one of his "spells", where he spouts complete garbage.

    If you ever actually SAW them deliver the "bulk" oil to any shop, you would see that it comes in sealed drums (55 Gal ?)
    and the truck takes back the old drums with the used oil in it.
     
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  6. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    So, this past weekend, I "officially" did an oil change on my own. Last time, I got frustrated and took it to a local service. I had the mechanic install a "ValvoMax oil drain system" (i.e., permanent oil plug), which I found out about from a popular car mechanic YouTuber. It made things a little complicated for me, mainly that I should have drained the oil hot.

    The oil that left the Prius oil pan was probably no more than a quart (my eyeball estimate) in my 5 gallon container. That didn't look right to me. So I poured in some new oil from my last change (which I asked the mechanic to use), thinking that it would flush out whatever may have been left (I had seen another YouTuber doing this on the regular for his own Prius). Maybe that might have worked if I didn't have this valve.

    Then I had some trouble figuring out the oil filter wrench. (I freaked out when I saw a random YouTube video where this mechanic had to use an impact driver and claim to use 200 lb. torque.) Finally figured it out. Not much drained from the oil pump.

    The usual xxxxF2 oil filter has been super-ceded to an xxxxN1. Much shorter.

    Pre-oiled the new oil filter a little (from the aforementioned change), only to have it overflow initially. Oiled the O-Ring. Placed it back on.

    Last main step: fill the new oil. I started off with 2.5 quarts. Then added another one.

    Having poured new oil right after initial drain, pre-oiling new filter, and then finally another 3.5 qt. ... I really had no idea how much new oil I poured in.... But after running the engine and later checking the dipstick, I found the consistent oil viscosity to level between the two punctured hi/lo marks.

    Now I'm not quite sure what it mandates to get rid of oiled Scotty Shop towels or how to clean my garage and oil pan... but next time, I'm draining that oil hot.
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You really need to check your oil level more often. REALLY.
    :eek:
     
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  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Oiled towels go in regular trash. Can't recycle them.

    I'm not even sure Toyota says to get the oil hot in their instructions. (I try to but just saying)...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Last oil change I did (about a week back), the car had been driven earlier in the day, and I’d pretty much decided NOT to change it after, then latish evening changed my mind, did the drain pretty much cold. Still came out fine.

    D93E4AEE-F53F-494E-8088-6ED36D34DF1F.jpeg
    (On the walk to recycle, bridge railing not quite level I think.)
     
    #29 Mendel Leisk, Apr 19, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2021
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  10. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    Hey,

    So over the past few weeks, I've been checking my engine dipstick levels. The oil seems to be in between the two dots 50/50 (hot engine cooling after 5 min. parked).

    Fearing I might be losing some oil or not having enough, I poured the rest of my oil from my last oil change -- that's about a little more than a quart (I think).

    So my question is: how much fl. oz. is considered overfill? ...
     
  11. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    Yeah. So I realized I had a 2.5 container, which made my perception warped.
     
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  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    :eek:
    Given only what you have said in this thread so far........
    I think you should STOP tinkering with your engine before you do some serious damage.
    Honestly.

    Technically, overfill is when the level on the dipstick is above the "full" mark by any amount.
    Practically, if it is no more than 1/4 inch over then it is fine.
     
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  13. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    1 qt is a lot to add for the small sump in the Prius. I like to have my oil level right in the middle of the dots. I even try to avoid filling to the max dot/line when the car manufacturer instructs to do so. You’ll need to check the level with the dipstick to tell whether you’ve overfilled or not.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    FWIW, on a 3rd gen, with 4.2 litre specd oil spec’d, I drain, button everything up when it’s slowed to a drip, and add a carefully measured 4.2 litres. I’ll take a look at the dipstick (it can be all over the map), but don’t second-guess the spec, just leave it.

    after a few days driving, I’ll checked it cold, and it’s invariably 3~5 mm below the tip mark, which is fine by me.
     
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  15. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Changed my oil about 20 times maybe more on mine the g2 motor takes 4 quarts with new oil filter. All cold.

    Check oil first thing in the am before starting the car. VVT cars have a little bit of oil stored in its top end takes a long time to drain back.

    If you just bought the car it’s probably an oil eater so check it cold more often to get a handle on how much oil it’s eating. If it is an oil eater move up to a 40 weight oil.

    If it’s a real bad oil eater use a cheaper 40 weight oil not synthetic $$ oil cause it’s going right out the tailpipe anyway.

    It could not be any simpler.
     
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  16. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    I went back to the chain mechanic store where I had my alignment done yesterday. (I had a few tires changed.) I asked them to check thte engine oil. They said the amount was "overfilled" (obviously), but they had no concern over it.

    ====

    Here's a picture I took of the oil collected from the job I did a few weeks ago.

    20210509_152222.jpg

    =====

    Almost approaching 200k, given the oil consumption and noticeable "knock" at stops during low tank, I think I'm going to get the PCV valve changed.

    That, of course, is something I wouldn't try myself. Neither would I touch the transmission oil, etc.

    I'm only comfortable with replacing air filters, cleaning MAF, and working on oil changes.
     
    #36 Toyotally04, May 10, 2021
    Last edited: May 10, 2021
  17. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    What exactly is the "tip mark" ?
    If that is the lower range mark on the stick, you should NOT be "fine" with it.
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Thanks for the catch, fat fingers on phone. Should read “top” mark, edit window has closed. :(
     
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  19. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    It’s a spell check, not a grammar check. Since “tip” is a word it didn’t catch it. In context I understood “top”, it’s all good….
     
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  20. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Knock at stop.....that’s not good. Start shopping motors. Many an engine replacement on this site.