My Prius started using oil

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kb0ou, Nov 20, 2017.

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  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are a ton of theories.
     
    #21 bisco, Dec 15, 2017
  2. kb0ou

    kb0ou Member

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    Just to clarify....
    The Prius odometer now shows 156,260 miles, the oil change was at 154,664 miles, that is 1596 miles. I was off 1,000 miles as I had the wrong number for when we were in Natches, AL and had the oil change. My wife has corrected that situation.
    So, I checked the oil this morning and it is just below the full mark on the dip stick. So, in 1596 miles it is down a little from just above the full mark on the dip stick. Some oil consumption but not much, a lot less than before the Seafoam treatment.
    The oil is not even down a pint yet as far as I can tell. Not sure exactly how much a pint would change the level on the dip stick.

    Sorry about the mileage mess up, I will try to keep it straight from now on.

    John kb0ou
     
    #22 kb0ou, Dec 15, 2017
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Between the two marks on the dipstick represents 1.5 liters, or 1.6 quarts. It's also 1.5", so every half inch is roughly a pint.

    1500 miles and the oil level has barely budged, sounds quite good.
     
    #23 Mendel Leisk, Dec 15, 2017
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  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    #24 edthefox5, Dec 16, 2017
  5. kb0ou

    kb0ou Member

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    I am pretty sure that the Prius piston rods have the jet on the Big End that sprays oil up toward the bottom of the piston.
    This usually oils the piston skirt and the oil control ring area.
    Splash lubrication was used on the Model T Ford and lots of engines that do not have a pressurized oil system.
    I only know of one time that I allowed the Prius to run LOW on oil. That is when it started consuming oil at a fairly rapid rate.
    After that I kept it between FULL and ADD on the dip stick.

    The Seafoam treatment may or may not work, that is still to be seen.... ;) Diving Officer, make your depth 300 feet.....

    John kb0ou
     
    #25 kb0ou, Dec 17, 2017
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  6. kb0ou

    kb0ou Member

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    Very interesting post!! I don't have a way to compare Techron and Seafoam, they both are supposed to do about the same thing.
    I put Seafoam in the crankcase (I also put it in the gas tank). In the quoted thread above the Techron was put in the gas tank.

    I love the part about the Toyota Dealer response... Overhaul or New Car!!

    Hey, at least it helped!!!

    UPDATE::: I have another CORRECTION.... In my original post I posted that I put 20 ounces of Seafoam in my Prius Engine. I was in my shop and looked at the Seafoam can. It is only 16 ounces and has some left in it... I measured what is left,,, 7 ounces..
    So, I only dumped 9 ounces in the car!!!. I looked at the can and it says to put in 1 ounce per quart of oil so even that is a little rich. BUT change the 20 ounces to 9 ounces.

    When you look at several bottle of Tekron compared to a little over 1/2 can of Seafoam. I think the Seafoam is a little cheaper.. Maybe put the Tekron in the Crankcase????

    Sorry for the change in amount of Seafoam....

    John kb0ou
     
    #26 kb0ou, Dec 17, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2017
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Please show me this jet on the connecting rod. That's pretty cool. Never seen that before. Love to see it. Oil is only pressurized at the output of the pump that pumps it to the top end of the motor. The crankcase is not pressurized. Maybe in submarines.
     
    #27 edthefox5, Dec 18, 2017
  8. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    ^ Like this.

    As I'm sure you already know :) , high pressure oil flows though oil galleries and escapes in controlled amounts at each main bearing and other lubrication points (which is why worn bearings cause low oil pressure). But it can also be sprayed though small openings or nozzles various points as well.

    The main point is that modern engines use pumped lubrication rather than splashed. :)
     
    #28 uart, Dec 18, 2017
  9. kb0ou

    kb0ou Member

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    Yes, we had a lot of pressurized lubrication systems on the submarines. Main Engines (steam power), Generators (steam power), Backup Generator (diesel power), just to name a few.
    I have not seen many engine sumps without pressure lubrication to the Crankshaft etc. Only on Model T's and lawn mowers.
    Here is a link to some information.
    How cylinder walls are lubricated?

    Here is a link to some con rods with 2 jets...

    Piston Set 80.0mm SOHC w/Connecting Rods - Dual Jet (Fiat 128, Yugo) - OE


    John kb0ou
     
    #29 kb0ou, Dec 19, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Prius has tiny little engine very small crankcase no need for jets. Would'nt be any room for jets even if you wanted them.
     
    #30 edthefox5, Dec 19, 2017
  11. kb0ou

    kb0ou Member

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    It looks to me like Toyota has oil going up the con rod to the wrist pin area and putting oil out to the piston skirt from there.
    I have seen a lot smaller engines than the Prius 1.5 Litre engine with piston lube jets set up on the large end of the con rod.
    Check out some of the Honda engines, I have seen jets on the lower con rod in them that spray on the piston.
    It is to lube the wrist pin, cool the piston, and lube the cylinder wall.

    John kb0ou
     
    #31 kb0ou, Dec 20, 2017
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    #32 edthefox5, Dec 20, 2017
  13. kb0ou

    kb0ou Member

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    What is a pioston?? ;)
     
    #33 kb0ou, Dec 21, 2017
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    I know what that is..., no wait a mo' (n)
     
    #34 Mendel Leisk, Dec 21, 2017
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the pre piston pioneer.:)
     
    #35 bisco, Dec 21, 2017
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  16. greg alfrey

    greg alfrey New Member

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    Curious, did the Seafoam help out with oil consumption?
     
    #36 greg alfrey, Aug 24, 2022
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