Did dealer broke my crankshaft ?

I brought my 98 v6 tacoma to the dealer for a timing belt replacement since I dindnt know if it was replaced by previous owner. 2 hours later I get a call from an hysterical woman saying that my engine is a mess and that they cant put it back together and i needed to go take a look at what happened, she didnt want to tell me anything over the phone.
So i drive back over there and they show me how a little piece that sticks from the crankshaft to align with the crankshaft timing pulley is broken. They tell me that someone has been in there before and they didnt put things together the right way and that this piece was just waiting to break. There is oil everywhere, cause according to them someone didnt put the crankshaft seal all the way in.
They tell me now I have to put a new engine in, cause it would be cheaper than taking everything apart to replace this part.

I don't know much about these things and was wondering if somebody here has any idea how this piece could have broken, and if it would be better to rebuild the engine or buy a used one. My engine had 130k miles on it which I thought wouldnt be that much for a tacoma. But seems like there are several leaks of oil.

On monday I'm going to talk to the manager. I drove in there with a working vehicle and now they cant even put it back together. Would really appreciate to know what you think so I can have some arguments.

Here is the diagram showing the little piece that broke:




The following is not my engine. Just some pic i found to show you the part.

 

It's called a key (crankshaft key, shear key). It's basically there for timing purposes. From what you wrote, they screwed up. If it ran when you brought it in, no matter what, it should run after a simple timing belt change. If they knew what they were doing that is.

 

Did the dealer broke your crankshaft? I don't know. Did the truck work before? Does it work now? If not, someone broke something.

 

sounds like they are covering there own asses

 

Was it leaking oil when you brought it in? If so I'd assume someone WAS in there before you bought it and screwed up the seal. That doesn't mean your crank was messed up before you brought it in though.

We need pictures of the problem to give you an accurate response.

 

So they want you to pay to replace the entire engine for a shear key and a seal? Wow. The key is designed to break (weakest point) to keep the crankshaft from breaking. And the front seal is a replaceable part. I don't understand how they are saying the engine needs replaced. Maybe I am missing something here. The seal not being all the way in maybe cause a groove on the crank, but it shouldn't be enough to cause damage if a new seal is put in. I call bs on them.

 

They fucked up. Be ready to call the cops next time you go to the dealership.

Your engine worked and ran fine. Now it's busted as fuck, and doesn't work. They're covering ass and trying to blame you.

Call the cops, and ensure there is a case opened. Forward the case to toyota HQ, and let them know one of their stateside peons is a piece of shit .

 

It's possible the crank key way got wallowed out from the crank bolt being loose. This would cause the crank to be unusable, but still run ok for the time being.

Lots of unnecessary hatred toward the dealer in here with absolutely no evidence that it's their fault.

 

That's why I said maybe I am missing something. I have no hate towards the dealer. But if all they say is damaged is the key and the seal, then it doesnt mean a new engine.

 

You do have a point, if timing pulley was'nt removed. But any descent mechanic would have noticed the 'play' in the pulley.

 

Sorry I mostly meant the guy above my post.

Yeah you'd think they would at least explain to the OP what they found (loose pulley bolt).

Hopefully we can get more details.

 

A better picture of the keyway slot is really needed. If the keyway slot has been damaged, then the dealer is correct in not wanting to reassemble, because the replacement key could shear or break, causing possible engine damage, and the dealership would be held liable. Everyone wants to just jump in and sue the dealership before all the information is clear. Shesh. Let's get all of the CORRECT information first here. A better picture for one of the slot for the key.

 

OP, contact them and ask EXACTLY what is wrong with it that they feel it requires a new engine. When you go up there, have them SHOW you the issue(s). If you are able, take pictures of it.
It is unfortunately easy for info to be lost between the tech and the service adviser, so also ask that the tech himself tell you what he found (be warned, expect talk that isn't as nice, remember that he usually works with cars and not people). As Steve said, if the groove is worn out it is more than just the key being broken.
Get everything in writing. From the original quote, to what they found, to what their suggestion is. Also, where are you located? It is possible that a member with more experience with these engines may be able/willing to go along with you to look at it.

 

OP... did you just buy this rig? Did you notice oil leaks prior to taking it in?

 

That key is a replaceable piece, PN 9028005005 selling for $0.96 online:
http://www.villagetoyotaparts.com/products/TOYOTA/2004/Tacoma3400CC-EFI--AUTOMATIC--4-SPEED/KEYFOR-CRANKSHAFT-TIMING-GEAR-KEYFOR-OIL-PUMP-DRIVE-SPLINE-KEY--CRANKSHAFTFOR-CRANKSHAFT-PULLEY-SET-KEY--WOODRUFFFOR-TIMING-GEAR/2426689/9028005005.html

The crankshaft oil seal is also a replaceable wear item. In fact, some repair web sites recommend replacing the cam and crank seals when doing the timing belt, to save on labor.

So why does the dealer think the engine needs to be replaced?

 

A few posts up we're discussing the possibility of a damaged key way on the crank shaft.

 

So re-grind / use a bigger key?

 

To do that you'd have to pull the motor, secure the crank so it can't spin, mount the engine in a Bridgeport, and mill a new slot. Not worth the effort.

I certainly wouldn't trust a dremel grind job lol.

 

The fact the design uses a woodruff key rather than splines means the loads aren't that high.

 

The way I read it at first, was that they reassembled it, key broke, oil everywhere & hysteria set in. If they have'nt reassembled it yet, then Bill (Bama) is correct & we do need a picture of the crankshaft, OP.