Going through oil but no leak

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by eminar17, Aug 22, 2020.

Tags:
  1. eminar17

    eminar17 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2017
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Olivehurst, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have a 2009 Toyota Prius with 160000 miles on it. When I first bought it 4 years ago, the oil was perfect. It was at the same level every time I took it in and the color was light. For about the last year, the oil has been dark and almost empty when I take it in. I’ve been checking it and filling it between oil changes now and its gotten way worse. I checked it a couple days ago and it was almost empty. I’d just checked and filled it the week before. I thought it was a leak but I noticed there isn’t any oil on the ground where it’s always parked.
    It’s also been having a lot of issues recently. The hybrid battery went out a month ago which I replaced and then the inverter pump went out a couple weeks ago. The boots need to be replaced and the ac quits working sometimes. And now the car feels like it’s low on oil but I checked it and it’s fine. I’m worried it’s going to go out on me.
     
    #1 eminar17, Aug 22, 2020
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    2,002
    746
    0
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    How much oil is it actually using? Or how much do you drive between the times you need to add the oil? Quart is the amount between minimum and maximum on a dipstick. And oil level should never be allowed to fall bellow minimum. Oil consumption is normally talked about as a quart per how many miles. For example quart of oil used for every 2000 miles still wouldn't be bad.

    What do you mean by it acting as it's low on oil? Unfortunately you letting the oil level get much bellow minimum might have damaged the engine. Or if the engine is burning too much oil it could have damaged catalytic converter. But a bad catalytic converter would also turn on the check engine light. Do you have any warning lights on?
     
    #2 valde3, Aug 23, 2020
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,829
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    3 questions.

    Where do you get your oil changed?.

    And has it ever run so low on oil it turned on the check engine light?

    And lastly how does it feel low on oil?
     
    #3 edthefox5, Aug 23, 2020
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    58,450
    40,253
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Just editorial: it's more like 1.5 litre (1.6 qt), info in owner's manual.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Aug 23, 2020
  5. Moses Bruh

    Moses Bruh Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2018
    97
    29
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    have you tried checking your spark plug wells? Check to see if there is oil there, possibly head gasket. However it could also be something like the piston skirts or w.e they are called. once those wear down it will burn oil no matter what.
     
    #5 Moses Bruh, Aug 23, 2020
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)