1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Petrol smell in the dip stick.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Piotrus Pan, Feb 6, 2017.

Tags:
  1. Piotrus Pan

    Piotrus Pan Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2014
    126
    46
    0
    Location:
    Luxembourg
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hi all.
    Do you guys have the same when you check the oil level you can smell petrol on the dip stick?
    I thought it was my oil but I smelled the oil canister and there is no petrol sent in it at all. The only explanation would be that petrol is getting into the oil in the engine but do you guys have the same?
     
    #1 Piotrus Pan, Feb 6, 2017
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,866
    38,337
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Took a whiff: at the oil filler cap, dipstick, and a bottle of oil. All smelled about the same, slightly sweet smell. Using Toyota 0W20 fwiw.

    Maybe if you shut down soon after a start up, when it's running richer, could cause the smell?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Feb 6, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2017
    Piotrus Pan likes this.
  3. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
    491
    297
    0
    Location:
    Lincoln, NE
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Short run of the engine and in cold climate.....
    They run reach .....
    I can write 10 pages long on combustion of fuel....
    This is short story....
    If you experience a lot of smell in oil ..you should change oil on earlier schedule or do longer rides .....
     
    #3 Samprocat, Feb 6, 2017
    Piotrus Pan likes this.
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,477
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    How many miles on your Prius? Any history of burning oil?
     
    #4 Raytheeagle, Feb 6, 2017
  5. Merkey

    Merkey Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2012
    255
    232
    0
    Location:
    Birmingham, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Yes, I smell gasoline odor too. Not uncommon for 226K miles. Last OC analysis indicated 2% gasoline. I just make sure synthetic oil level stays up and change at 5000 miles.
     
    #5 Merkey, Feb 6, 2017
  6. Stangar

    Stangar Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2011
    174
    173
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes. It has a gasoline smell. 153,000 miles on my 2011. I have an 84 mile commute in Southern California's high desert and it's all at 60-70 mph. The key to engine longevity is checking oil level and oil/filter changes every 5000 miles, with Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W/20. It doesn't burn a drop of oil. My MPG is ALWAYS between 51 and 55 mpg (computed) depending upon the temp and winds.
     
    #6 Stangar, Feb 9, 2017
    Merkey likes this.
  7. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Had it from day one. Normal. There is always some fuel getting into the oil. I wouldn't worry about it. I don't. It vaporizes and condenses at the coolest point, which is the dipstick pipe.
     
    #7 David Beale, Feb 9, 2017
    Merkey and AzWxGuy like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)