Valve Chatter - Add 10w30?

[Greg L]

This is actually a follow up question/post about my 2007 Prius with the 1.5 oil burner.


I seem to have to add about 1 quart of makeup oil about every 1000 miles, for this engine.

So...for the last 2 OCI's, I have used 3.5 quarts of Castrol Edge 5w30, and then add 1/2 quart of 10w30 in the same brand. Both times that I have done this, it quiets down the valve chatter for about 1500-2000 miles. When I just use all 5w30 (in the past) the chatter is prevelant.

My question: will adding this 1/2 quart of the heavier weight be detrimental to the engine?


I know this is really just a quick fix, but it's a trick that seems to be working. Just want to be sure that I'm not harming the internal engine parts.


GL

 

[rideahorse]

I would just run the 10w-30 and be done with it.

 

[hatt]

You can use 20w-50 and your engine will be fine. 10w-30 certainly isn't going to be an issue.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Is 10w-30 a "heavier" oil than 5w30? I had no idea that the winter rating would have that much effect on the viscosity.

If your scheme is working just use all 10w-30. Or, maybe use 10w-40.

 

[kschachn]

Quick fix for what? Your perception of valve chatter? The 1NZ is not a quiet engine in that regard but it doesn't mean that anything is wrong or needs to be "fixed".

Originally Posted By: Greg L
I seem to have to add about 1 quart of makeup oil about every 1000 miles, for this engine.

So...for the last 2 OCI's, I have used 3.5 quarts of Castrol Edge 5w30, and then add 1/2 quart of 10w30 in the same brand. Both times that I have done this, it quiets down the valve chatter for about 1500-2000 miles. When I just use all 5w30 (in the past) the chatter is prevelant.

My question: will adding this 1/2 quart of the heavier weight be detrimental to the engine?

I know this is really just a quick fix, but it's a trick that seems to be working. Just want to be sure that I'm not harming the internal engine parts.

 

[Greg L]

Didn't know my hearing the chatter vs. not hearing any chatter was 'perception'....but whatever.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.


GL

 

[kschachn]

Because you said it was a quick fix, which implies something is broken. The amount of chatter one hears may or may not be excessive depending on individual perception.

At first I thought you meant a "quick fix" for the oil consumption but that isn't what you said.

 

[bigt61]

I wouldn't want to be adding a quart of expensive synthetic every 1000 miles. Switch to MaxLife Blend - in N CA I'm sure either 5W or 10W-30 will be fine.

 

[Oro_O]

Originally Posted By: Greg L
Didn't know my hearing the chatter vs. not hearing any chatter was 'perception'....but whatever.

Thanks for the feedback, guys


If 5w30 is the nationwide blanket recommendation for your car, consider a full fill of 10w-30 if it's appropriate to your climate. If you are in coastal CA where it never gets very cold in the winter, run it year-round (I do in western WA/Puget Sound). They will be the same thickness at operating temp (30). The 10w-30 should be more robust since it uses less artificial modifiers added to the oil. You will find in scanning specs, 10w-30 vs. 5w30 oils have lower NOACK on average (some syns remarkably so).

 

[Danno]

I would try PYB 10W-30 and see how that works for you. A very well regarded "conventional oil".

 

[KCJeep]

I agree with Danno. If annoying noise is your gripe and you are adding that much oil, try a good dino like QSBG or PYB in 10w30.

Some times dino will run a little quieter than syns do in my experience, especially in "noisy" engines.

 

[HTSS_TR]

In a warmer climate like California no need for 5W30, 10W30 with much lower NOACK can be used here all year without any problem starting the car in the winter, when temperature is as low as 25-30F in Northern California.

 

[dlundblad]

1000 miles per quart.

Heck, I would even entertain Supertech conventional.

 

[Oro_O]

Greg,

Is there a concensus among Prius cognoscenti about the source of the oil consumption? I am familiar with Saturn, Corolla, and Isuzu causes (oil ring drain design), is this possibly the same?