Hello, I have a 2013 prius c. It has an oil leak around the gasket near the timing chain and to get it fixed is almost as much as the car. Instead of using 0w-20, I was thinking of switching to 0w-30 to minimize, if not stop the oil leak. The immediate downside is decreased fuel economy and more wear during cold starts. I live in alabama so the later is a non-issue. GM went to a heavier oil to minimize oil leaks. Thoughts or ideas?
yeah, how bad is this leak? It is a fairly common place for a Toyota engine to leak, but most reports are that it barely gets the seam wet, almost never anything landing on the ground beneath.
You’ve got quote(s)? How bad is it, pics? when I google: cost to reseal prius c timing chain cover AI summary says $1200~3500, presumably USD.
I'd never put heavier oil to stop a leak....that VVTI system is pretty sensitive to oil viscosity and you don't want to make a minor problem much worst! (Same goes for that "stop leak" stuff.) My dealer misdiagnosed my V-8 as having a timing change cover leak and quoted me $2,500....double what it should cost. If you love the car, I'd call around, I know many smaller shops who would do it for around $1,200
