Sand in the tank, headlights, or electrical issues, the saga continues for the 4th time? (10/9/18)

Another concern is.. I turn it into insurance for "unknown origin of sand into gas tank" Insurance shells out 14k and it doesn't fix the issue...

 

Yeah so, again. Did they take photo's of this mystery sand in your fuel lines? Because I'm gonna call BS on that. I can see sand in the tank and maybe fuel pump, but on the offchance it got through your fuel filter, there's no way you'd have sand in the fuel lines, it would be clogged in your injectors or engine.

AGAIN, They need picture proof, not just "TELL HIM THERE'S SAND IN THE LINES LOL"

 

Irrelevant. Just have Toyota state in their analysis that it is sand in the fuel system from the tank. Turn this over to USAA as a claim from vandalism and that the manufacturer does not provide a locked door or fuel cap.

If Toyota is not doing it under warranty then they have to state WHY. Get it in writing.

 

He took a picture of the filler neck and it had a grain or two of sand in it and he claims that was enough.
He also claims the sand it's fine enough to get past the"filter" and the fuel sample he showed me came from a fuel line

 

There goes my low insurance rates.... ugh.

 

BTW I have never had my insurance rates increased by accidents that I did not cause which appears to be the case here. But I don't know about USAA. I have a friend who works there and I will ask her.

 

Wow this is really hard to believe. I've never heard of Toyota royally screwing somebody this bad. I don't care if someone did poor sand into the tank, their scientific explanations are flawed. I wish you would have taken it to another dealer. If I were you I'd take them to court. The only way I see sand getting in there is from fueling up in that area. I've been in sand, water high enough to go over my hood while crossing a river. I've had sand and dirt in every possible crevice of this truck with no issue. They can shove that 14k up their ass. I'd let usaa know and maybe they could even help out. I'm sure you being military there are places that give legal advice. Good luck and props on holding it together, I think I would have snapped by now

 

@AFMurse2014 That sucks. Is there any kind of local "I got fucked by _______ and this newscaster's on my side" kind of program around there? I can see a little publicity going a long way in your case. Throw on your military uniform and tell the public how driving a Tacoma in the sand is costing you 14k. I bet with all the people rushing out to buy the new 2016's an article like that would get a lot of attention, which is what they're after.

I'm unfamiliar with arbitration/legal practice in the states but I'd be very leery of filing an insurance claim based on what you think is a false claim on Toyota's part. Though maybe if you did, your insurance company would examine things and see if the local dealer is just trying to fleece them. Seems like their explanations are utter nonsense.

Do you currently owe them money for the diagnosis work or is the 14k bill just for future repairs? They kept telling you everything was covered and was going to be repaired under warranty. I don't think you are ever told that you were to be charged for that work, were you?

Put a big sandwich board sign in the back of your truck that says "Driving this truck in the sand caused 14k in damages" and bolt it in there in a way they have to leave it. See how long they want to leave it in the lot without fixing it.

 

@AFMurse2014 put out a request to your buddies on Facebook and at work. Ask them to go to the dealer and say they're interested in the new Tacoma but heard that driving them in the sand ruins them and the damages aren't covered under warranty. 6 pack of beer for everyone who wastes at least 10 minutes of a salesman's time and references your case.

 

I just offered my opinion and the approach I've taken to help avoid this sort of situation. I'm not trying to beat up the OP here and it sucks he is facing a $15k repair bill...I'm just pointing out that our light-duty / mid-size vehicles have limitations and it is best to keep that in mind.

I like my Tacoma a lot and it serves me very well, but I also recognize that it isn't a F-350 work truck or a HUMVEE...it is a consumer-grade vehicle that performs well within that class. I also recognize that if I try to push the limits, regardless of how Toyota's marketing department brands the vehicle for sales purposes, I run the risk of damaging something in the process. My Tacoma spends a lot of time off-road but my personal approach is to avoid bombing big mud holes, using it as a recovery vehicle, etc.

Again, just my personal opinions and views...I'm not paying the payments, or repair bills, for your vehicles feel free to use them as you see fit. Best of luck to the OP on his repairs and hopefully he can get Toyota to help him out with it.

 

Hell, they totally lost a Hilux on Top Gear

It washed out to sea overnight, complete submerged out of view, was recovered later, and they got it running with "only basic tools" and no spare parts...

stupid electronics.

 

I would just assume they'd have it towed away and he'd be responsible to pay hundreds of dollars in impound costs.

 

Wow, this thread is painful to read. Toyota's response to this is unforgivable. They can figure out how their own product works, so they blame the customer?

If anyone else has a similar problem, I would not tell the service people a damn thing except here's my nearly brand new and now broken truck - fix it and call me when your done.

I hope it works out for the OP. Have you talked to your insurance company? Maybe they can help on your behalf.

 

There's Call Curtis in Sacramento. Google it, they do a lot of shit like this and would love to investigate it for you. Would make a great story for them.

 

I have been following this thread since it started. My guess is that someone maliciously poured sand into your tank and the dealer suspects that also. The fuel tank strainer will clog & typically stall the truck. After a while, if enough sand dissipates, you may be able to start it again. There were a few other posts which said pretty much the same thing.

The dealership's $14,000 quote will probably be less. Let's say $10,000 and they will tell you they managed to save you $4,000!

What I would do is get it out of that dealership & to a good mechanic. Have him drop the tank & inspect it. And hopefully maybe all it will need is a thorough cleaning.
Good luck!

 

I saw that quote from earlier, it does sound like somebody messed with your truck. If there was sand particles clinging to the INSIDE of the filler tube I can't imagine they got there by natural means.

Let's say somebody poured some beach sand into your tank, there will be some very fine grit in there also, not just the larger pinhead-size particles, yes?

In that case, the finer grit could make its way past the filter sock, through the fuel pump, into the fuel lines and clog the injectors.

Also, isn't it pretty difficult for beach sand to accumulate on the OUTSIDE of the filler neck by natural means?

 

We haven't heard from a Toyota tech or a certified mechanic on this thread.

I wonder how credible or plausible the dealer's story is to them?

Knowing what a mechanic knows, I wonder if they would think the dealer is not truthful?...... if it were their own truck.

 

Wow, this is just beyond unacceptable.

 

Update:

I am out of options. Filed an insurance claim.

The tech expressed his concerns and agreed with me that there should be an actual filter on these rigs, but apparently there is not. What are some aftermarket add on fuel filter options I can put on to avoid this crap in the future?

 

urdusa.com has fuel pump replacements that include an external fuel filter that would have prevented this (most likely).