3.5L Check Engine Light on new SR5

I brought home a new 2016 Tacoma SR5 with the 3.5L engine on Monday night. Drove it 81 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday, but around noon Wednesday noticed the check engine light was on. After checking the gas cap, took the vehicle to the dealer.

As of late Friday, the only thing the service department knows is that #5 cylinder has low compression (between 40 and 60%). They think they'll have to pull the cylinder head (a 20 hour job according to the dealer).

So, a three day weekend and no work will be done on it, then another 3 days to pull the head, a few more days to get parts and probably another 3 days to fix the problem I'm guessing.

Tried to get the dealer to take it back and give me another one but just got a "playbook" type of runaround. They wanted to take the vehicle in trade to give me a new one, but valued the one I'd just bought at over $7000 less than what I paid for it!

Anyone else have this kind of problem early on after purchase? Any thoughts? Comments?

 

A 3.7l?

 

My bad - 3.5L.

 

Even if is only been a few miles, they're unfortunately not just going to buy it back it or give you a new one. That's why they have warranties.

Let them check it out and fix it.probably nothing big.

Edit: should have read the whole thread, ya that's a shitty deal. I would fight for them to take it back.Look into legal avenues maybe.

 

Is there a certain number of days after buying a vehicle that you can return it in? I know each state has different # of days you can return in.

 

You do mean 3.5L right. Did they do a cylinder leak down or just a compression test? Was it missing and is this possibly because the cylinder is washed down? I see scored cylinder wall if not washed down.

 

dude that SUCKS. Hope they get it fixed soon. These 3rd gens are not without issues it seems. Wonder if they checked CPS sensor

 

The X number of days buy back varies according to the dealer and is in no way affiliated with the manufacturer.

Should the dealer buy it back in good faith?

I would think so, but they are not obligated to do so unless they have their own written policy concerning buy backs.

See Carmax as an example, which I think has a 5 day buy back period.

 

No guys. He truly means 3.7l. And that's what it is!

 

Rhode Island does not have a buyers remorse or cooling off period after purchase. It does have a lemon law but it needs to be serviced for the same issue 4 times in one year to apply. Unless it is a really serious problem with the engine, and I hope it's not, I think I'm just going to have to suck it up.

 

As far as I know, the dealer just did a compression check, not a cylinder wash down

 

OK, they did a compression test. What I meant by washed down is if the truck was missing the cylinder could have been washed down with gas. If that the case they should do a wet compression test to see it there is a change in the compression. That one reason I like doing a cylinder leak down more. Compression test is good for a quick look at what's going on but that's about it.

 

Sounds like warranty is all you got going then. Hopefully they will make it right, maybe get an extended warranty since it is so new yet. Definitely open a case with corporate, it will help if it ends up being a lemon.

 

Blinking or solid MIL?
What code(s) did it throw?

 

And here's a new bit of info....

I received a email with a link to the Toyota owner's website. [good website - I recommend you sign up if you haven't]

Just out of curiosity, I checked the service history on the new vehicle. Lo and behold, 2 months ago (before I bought) it there was a service entry stating that the "check engine light/malfunction indicator lamp is on". Not the first time this vehicle has been serviced for this issue! And, the note refers to "client states" which might indicate that I'm not the first owner even though it was sold to me as new.

 

The dealership could of just pulled it in themselves noticing the check engine light on. Orders usually get written up that way. It's possible potential customers were test driving it when it came on as well. I would print that info and use it as your arsenal. They knew there was an issue with that vehicle and now it's back again. I would request they give you a new truck under a goodwill policy. Also I would file a complaint with Toyota corporate as well, noting that you found evidence the problem was present before you purchased the vehicle new.

 

I just looked. Pays 30 hours to R&R 1 head. That's more than a diesel truck or northstar caddy.

 

Must be a pile 'o poo to disconnect and reconnect!

While I'm not sure diving right in to a head pulling is the right approach (more diagnostics than what we've heard about needed IMHO) how many more hours do they get for the actual work that occurs once the head is off? Or do they just pop on a new assembly now a days?

 

I can't speak for toyota, because I have no idea how their warranty claims work. But for GM, once we find a failure, we simply replace the part/s. IE: if a valve is bent, replace the valve. If head is damaged, replace the head.

Low compression on a new engine would be odd. I'd like to see how this turns out.