OK, the RAV4 Prime is Toyota's second Plug In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) and has about 45 miles of battery only range. Thereafter it switches to Hybrid vehicle (HV mode) since it "saves" some battery to allow continued hybrid use, in conjunction with the A25A-FXS atkinson cycle 2.5l NA 4 cylinder engine with both direct injection initially, then later port inject once warmed up.
Due to other reports of fuel dilution, I pulled a sample and after conferring with ALS Tribology, they were able to do gas chromatographic testing for fuel contamination. Unexpectedly, after less than 2000 miles of gasoline engine running (4000 total miles on vehicle) I am showing 4% contamination. Rest of UOA was fine.
The ICE kicks in "early" occasionally a variety of settings for a minute or so. Not long enough to really heat up the engine oil, but perhaps long enough to get some gasoline by the piston rings.
I have largely figured out how to avoid the brief starts, and now have pretty much mastered driving the vehicle so that the engine either stays full electric or is switched to HV mode and stays there for the remainder of the drive, thus ensuring full operating temperature.
Does anyone have any other theories what could be going on?
This is a BIG deal to me. Having read about some of the problems that Honda has had. The RAV4 Prime is expensive and hard to get. It really only pays for itself over many years of use, compared to just a hybrid. I want mine to run 200,000 miles at least and if its going to crap out at 120,000 due to a failed engine, well that would really disappoint..
Due to other reports of fuel dilution, I pulled a sample and after conferring with ALS Tribology, they were able to do gas chromatographic testing for fuel contamination. Unexpectedly, after less than 2000 miles of gasoline engine running (4000 total miles on vehicle) I am showing 4% contamination. Rest of UOA was fine.
The ICE kicks in "early" occasionally a variety of settings for a minute or so. Not long enough to really heat up the engine oil, but perhaps long enough to get some gasoline by the piston rings.
I have largely figured out how to avoid the brief starts, and now have pretty much mastered driving the vehicle so that the engine either stays full electric or is switched to HV mode and stays there for the remainder of the drive, thus ensuring full operating temperature.
Does anyone have any other theories what could be going on?
This is a BIG deal to me. Having read about some of the problems that Honda has had. The RAV4 Prime is expensive and hard to get. It really only pays for itself over many years of use, compared to just a hybrid. I want mine to run 200,000 miles at least and if its going to crap out at 120,000 due to a failed engine, well that would really disappoint..