dealership screw up

Ok so last night I was reading about rear diff breathers and read how the front diff breather was relocated already by Toyota at the factory. So I headed out to see where the breathers were. After locating them I noticed something down in the engine. Here is what I saw.




Now I first thought this bottle was full of dip spit and was really pissed. But when I removed it and smelled it and I am 99% sure it was just oil. But the fact that this was clearly in there from when I took my truck in to get the oil changed really pissed me off. Am I over reacting? I mean the bottle is only a few inches from a belt and i can only imagine what would happen if it hit the belt. There was also no cap so I'm worried the cap is lodged somewhere bad.

I have been very happy with my dealership up to this point. In fact I am taking my truck in tomorrow to have the rear spring tsb done and i didn't have to fight for it all. So how big a deal should I make of this? You think I should try to get a free oil change or something? I would do it on my own but I don't have the tools or the space to really do this. Especially since it is winter. Thanks in advance for any advice and sorry for the long winded post.

 

how long has it been since your last oil change?

 

it was done on monday. If I hadn't gone to look for the diff breathers who knows when I would have found it.

 

Mention it to them, if screw ups like this become habit then blow a gasket on the service manager.

 

interesting, I would mention it when you go back for the TSB. As far as getting something free like an oil change, well if it didn't damage anythign they may just apologise but that may be all.

 

do you think i should ask them to at least check for the cap to make sure its not lodged somewhere?

 

I'll bet they used that to capture the oil from the little drain under the filter, check and see if you can a little rubber boot still installed on the bottom of that silver funnel under the filter

 

yeah considering im getting the tsb for free (about $2200 of parts and labor) I think I can just let them know im concerned on this one.

 

There is probably no cap, it was more than likely used to collect oil when the filter was pulled.

 

No real harm done, I would let it go. Bring in the bottle and return it to the service advisor, like engine compartment lost and found. If it was a Snap-On socket/wrench...

 

yeah thats what im hoping

 

I'm coming to the conclusion that Toyota's weak spot might just be the dealerships.

I went to complete the ticking engine mod Sunday and found that the dealer didn't reattach my hood release cable when they replaced my clutch pedal. Yup, can't open my hood. And that's after 5 visits to the dealerships and three attempts to fix the clutch squeak issue.

Going for the Rear Spring TSB next week, so they can fix it then.

 

It probably didn't have a cap since it was used to catch the oil from the filter housing.

 

Personally, I would not make to big of a deal out of it. This is a simple little mistake. We all make them everyday.

 

i have to say that this is something I would probably do because I can be forgetful about stuff hence why I just take it to the dealership to have these routine things done...

 

yeah considering they have been great so far I think i will just mention it and not make a big deal...especially since theyre about to do the rear spring tsb lol

 

I would more so be worried about the tsb then the powerade bottle.

 

ive done it on my own truck before :O

 

I would take the bottle with the oil in it and give it to the service manager. Tell him the mechanic forgot something in your engine bay the other day. The mechanic probably wondered what had happened to it and would be glad to have it back.
What you might think about doing for your future oil changes is removing the rubber plug off the bottom of the filter drain and permanently install a hose with a clamp. I ran mine down through a hole in the skid plate...no mess whatsoever and makes oil changes a pleasure to do. Just stick a drain pan where the hose comes out and your good to go. To keep drips off the floor afterwards I use a small plug to cap off the end.

 

Hacks, they are all hacks.
I would go back and talk with the service manager, voice your concerns that this could have caused a fire had it landed on the exhaust manifold or maybe an accident if it had jammed in the steering box or linkage. Play it very cool and calm, just want to bring it to his attention so it won't happen to someone else. "Going to have to find another dealer for service and oil changes," maybe that will break loose a couple free oil changes.