Another EGR thread, where the focus is NOT having to clean it, preventative care.

What are some preventative measures, care, maintenance or driving methods to help with never having to clean the EGR?

Techron or Redline SI-1 (PEA detergents)? Using Redline before oil changes and then Techron after oil changes.

Intake Oil Catch Can? What medium is suppose to be used, steel wool?

What’s your take on non-cleaning measures?

For insight here’s what ChatGPT says: (Note it says to use top tier gas because of detergents in said gas and then says fuel additives with detergents wont do anything, which is conflicting information) [Also don’t care what you think about using ChatGPT for car information because its plenty useful in that department as it came in clutch with lots of information and step by step ways of doing my own wheel hubs, rotors and brake pad repair and replacement on my first ever self-repair on a car]


1️⃣ Install an oil catch can (minimal wrenching, no regular cleaning inside the EGR)

• Why: Most of the carbon sludge is oily soot. The PCV valve dumps oily vapor into the intake. Mixed with EGR soot, it sticks like tar.
• A catch can traps oil vapor so less sticky goo reaches the EGR.
• Once installed, you just empty the can every oil change — no need to open the EGR.
• Lots of Prius owners do this. It’s cheap and effective.

2️⃣ Keep oil changes on time (or early)

• Old oil breaks down and increases blow-by vapors → more gunk in the EGR.
• Stick to 5,000-mile intervals instead of 10,000 if you want to be cautious.
• Use high-quality synthetic oil to reduce deposits.

3️⃣ Drive it “harder” sometimes (engine heat is your friend)

• Short trips and babying the throttle don’t help burn carbon.
• Occasionally do:
  
  • Long highway drives (engine fully warm for 30+ minutes)
  • Use “Power Mode” to keep engine running harder — e.g. pass on the highway.
  • Rev the engine up to 4,000–5,000 RPM once in a while (it’s safe, Prius limits redline).
• This keeps EGR temps higher and slows soot buildup.

4️⃣ Use Top Tier fuel

• Better detergents → less carbon in combustion chamber → slightly less soot going into EGR.
• Won’t stop all buildup but helps.

5️⃣ Keep spark plugs, PCV valve, and air filter fresh

• Good combustion = less unburned carbon.
• A clogged PCV valve = more oil vapor in the intake.
• Fresh spark plugs = cleaner burn.

❌

What won’t help

• Fuel additives won’t do much — the Prius EGR clog is mostly oil + soot, not fuel injector carbon.
• “Italian tune-ups” alone won’t fix heavy buildup once it’s started — they just help prevent more buildup.

✅

Summary: no opening, no cleaning



Best real-world combo:

• Install an oil catch can once
• Do regular oil changes with good oil
• Drive longer trips sometimes
• Use good gas
• Keep PCV and air filter fresh

This won’t eliminate EGR clogging forever — but it can easily double or triple the interval before you ever have to clean it.

 

In my head I’m guessing more surface area to catch oil from vapor while letting the vapor free flow through it?

 

Do your catch cans, catch anything and with what medium is used?

Why would it burn oil and at what increments if at all would the worse state Prius engine burn oil?

Block heater but why is that relavant?

What can we consider short trips?

Can we consider hyper milers, people who like to regen brake and coast below 43 miles per hour in auto-ev mode as severe cycle drivers equivalent to short trip drivers? (I’m guessing having the engine turn off and on more than stay on is the culprit with EGR carbon and soot accumulation, sort of like how a torch head will never see soot and carbon if the torch is continuously fed butane in endless amounts with only seeing a flint spark once whereas continuous on and off use of a torch creates carbon and soot on the head inlet of the jet flame from the point of de-combustion of the said jet flame)

Not a lot of people have a chevron gas station in their state, nor data for PEA detergents in their normal gas stations they frequent.

I read redline SI-1 changes the viscosity of oil so it better to use it right before a predicted oil change interval and then techron after the oil change, especially if no chevron around. Theres pictures of redline cleaning carbon off of the engines’ combusting internal mechanisms and surfaces if you search images for it (not for Prius specifically)