Massive oil loose
Asked by Matmc95 Oct 07, 2018 at 09:44 PM about the 2011 Toyota Prius
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 2011 pruis with around 162,000 miles on it, my wife has had the car for about 3 years never had a problem. Now it is going through about 3 quarts of oil a month, I pulled the spark plugs out and they are bone dry and there is no sign of a oil leak anywhere on or around the motor. Could anyone tell me where it is going??
3 Answers
Hornet_2497 answered 5 years ago
If there are no leaks then it must be burning it and I would expect to see a smoky exhaust. Chevy once has a problem with a defective PCV valve that allowed oil droplets to be sucked into the intake causing rapid oil loss. Maybe that's where it's going on this Prius. But oil is cheap. I would just keep it topped up and drive it till it quits, and that may not be any time soon. Or at your next oil change, go to the next thicker grade as this car is getting up in miles (wear). If you are using 5w/30 now, go to 10w/30 or 10w/40 weight.
I would get a compression / leakdown test done. Something isn't right when an engine suddenly starts using oil. Today's engines can consume large amounts of oil and not show any issues on the sparkplugs.
I bought a Prius UK, in 2010, 6 months old with 5000 miles on her. after about 50,000 miles she started to use oil no leaks, no smoking exhaust. A fitter friend of mine gave the same advice as Hornet 2497 above," I would just keep it topped up and drive it till it quits, and that may not be any time soon. ". I am now on 210,000 miles and using 4 litres of oil per 10,000 miles. Regular (10,000 mile) service, min 55 mpg often 60, £10 per annum Tax, no breakdowns, touch wood. When she goes I go. I.e I stop driving. .
