'08 - Car burns lots of oil and smells like oil when driving

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by rotobrush, May 20, 2025 at 6:33 PM.

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  1. rotobrush

    rotobrush Junior Member

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    Hello,

    My 2008 Prius has been burning oil for the last 30k miles. The car currently has 182k miles on it, with the original engine. I tried the piston soak method using B12 Berryman injector cleaner, I am still monitoring to see if the oil consumption is any better. The issue that persists and causes me the most concern is the consistent oil-burning smell that nauseates the driver. The smell is worse when using the A/C, I have changed the cabin air filter & PCV valve recently, which has not helped the issue.

    Is it time to replace the engine? piston rings?
     
    #1 rotobrush, May 20, 2025 at 6:33 PM
  2. rotobrush

    rotobrush Junior Member

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    Forgot to mention the smell doesn't go away with the recirculation on.
     
    #2 rotobrush, May 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I would think your engine is probably leaking oil, not just burning it. Valve cover gasket leaking?
     
    #3 JC91006, May 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
    saneesh8 likes this.
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yes I'd look for leaks the smell is getting under your car sometimes you have to get your exhaust guy to tweak your tailpipe to get it to clear the rear bumper cover or else it just seems to laugh this way up into the cabin especially if any of the plugs are missing under the spare tire the water drains which they should be you still shouldn't be getting exhaust up in there like that that's just the poor tailpipe angle and it was bad from the factory I mean not good or well done whatever so you're muffler guy will tweak it heated up twist it get it just so and it should be golden if you have a torch you can try it at the house he's much better to have the car up in a pipe stand and all that
     
    #4 Tombukt2, May 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Have you established the rate of consumption, for example how many miles to be a quart low?

    The difference between the two dipstick marks represents 1.6 US quarts:

    upload_2025-5-21_10-52-36.png
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, May 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
    Last edited: May 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM
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